If your drain is backed up, here's how to get the water flowing.
Sure,
now the home-care market is permeated with cleaning solutions. But there was a time when we relied on good ol' fashioned elbow grease and know-how when it came to cleaning our homes. We may have newer, more advanced options, but there's something to be said about the methods that have stood the test of time. So we've decided to put old-school cleaning techniques to the ultimate test -- pitting them against high-tech, modern-day cleaning solutions. Our third installment is the ultimate gross-factor: Declogging drains.
The Problem: Clogged drains
At some point, it happens to everyone, more often to those of us with long, full locks. Bathtub drains get clogged with hair and soap scum; kitchen drains get clogged with food debris. So what can you do to get things flowing again?
Old Solution: Baking Soda Cocktail
I recently chatted with a friend's grandmother about this pesky drain problem (a common one in my household), and she handed over a "time-tested" recipe for your own at-home drain cleaner. "Dran-NO," she told me. "This is better for your lungs and easy to do."
Here's how to make her concoction: Mix together 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of salt and 1/4 cup of cream of tartar in a glass or plastic sealable container. Stir until mixed. Measure about a quarter cup of the mixed powder and pour into your clogged drain. Pour two cups of boiling water into the drain, and let stand for about an hour, then run fresh water from the tap.
This, of course, caused another problem for me: I don't keep cream of tartar on hand. But I did purchase some for the occasion, and the solution did its magic.
However, being a woman who likes to have options, I wanted to try another time-tested solution. Lucky for me, a friend was experiencing the same problem and volunteered to be my test case.
If you, too, don't have any cream of tartar in your cupboards, you can also try dumping 1/2 cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by a half cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain (if you don't have a drain cover, you can use a small bowl or plate), and let the mixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Finally, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Apparently the baking soda and vinegar dissolve fatty acids, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.
This second option worked as well, though did not have the same lasting effects as option one did (my friend and I compared drainage ability a week later). Perhaps she has thicker hair or more stubborn soap than I? Either way, it's good to know there's a natural solution that works.
New Solution: Store-bought drain cleaners.
Drano and
Liquid Plumr are the two most recognized labels when it comes to store-bought drain cleaners. I've used both, and in all honesty, couldn't tell you which one works more effectively (thus, purchase the best priced).
These solutions are very cut-and-dry; pour half of the bottle over slight clogs and a full bottle over stubborn ones, let sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then run hot water to clear the drain. If you prefer store-bought cleaners, the thicker versions are best for super tough clogs. Whether thick or thin, the downfall is that they have a strong, headache-inducing smell. And unless your bathroom is well ventilated, that odor can't be good for your health.
The Verdict: We vote for home-made drain cleaners. Although the store-bought cleaners work great and save you the hassle of mixing your own solutions, the fumes are harsh for your health, and the health of those around you. We'd vote for the natural option -- keep your drains and air a happy place.
Check out more in our Old vs New series:
Cleaning red wine stains
Testing scruff mark removers
By Allison Lind
Judi Roaman: We Talk Endlessly About the Next President,…
Reader comments (Page 1 of 2)
You supplied good information and did not try to do so by running a blabbering video, which would have immediately made me hit the close tab and not even think of coming back. Yes, AOL, most of us are sufficiently literate enough to read instructions and save the critical parts. We gain absolutely nothing from being rapidly blabbered at.
ReplyActually, for a stubborn clog go to the nearest rental store and get a hand operated pressure pump. You can pump up air pressure, put the correct fitting end on the hose that will fit snugly into the drain, plug it into the drain opening and release the air prerssure. Once or twice and the drain is clear. It even works on grease drains.
ReplyA good monthly kitchen practice is to squirt some dish soap (or the baking soda/vinegar mixture) into your drain and pour in a half cup of boiled water. Then plug the sink, and fill the sink to the brim with very hot soapy water. Then pull the plug (use a long fork so as not to burn your hands). The soap will have cut the grease build up in the drain, and the weight of the water in the sink will pressure flush away the accumulated debris. (For smelly or fishy drains add 1/3 bleach to water. Fishy drains can be kept fresh by grinding lemon rinds in your garbage disposal after fish meals).
ReplyRenting a hand operated pressure pump (@ $25 per 1/2 day) works GREAT, but my be somewhat expensive for one clog, so while you have it, be sure to clear ALL your drains in the house (whether they seem to need it or not) so you get your moneys worth!
The hand operated and drill driven 'snakes' work very well also, but are somewhat of a hassle and can be a bit messy, but they work a much better than Daino for large/old clogs, or clogs due to long hair.
Why comment? Unless you agree with it, you don't run it. I advised against the practice proposed because baking soda and vinegar will eat through an aluminum pipe. As a kid I made bombs out of the stuff.
ReplyWord of caution: If you print this article, you wind up with an extra 10 pages worth of useless nonsense; they need a way to zero in on how to ONLY print the important info. Truly annoying!
ReplyI have a kitchen drain that has a problem so I wanted to print this. Sorry I did in retrospect!
preston sturges said...
Word of caution: If you print this article, you wind up with an extra 10 pages worth of useless nonsense; they need a way to zero in on how to ONLY print the important info. Truly annoying!
I have a kitchen drain that has a problem so I wanted to print this. Sorry I did in retrospect!
Ever heard of cut and paste or copy and paste? You slide your mouse over what you want printed and hold down the Ctrl + X key to cut the info or the Ctrl + C key to copy the info and then open a blank word document and hold down the Ctrl + V key to paste it in the word document. Very simple!
I pour used coffee grounds into my kitchen drain once a week and I have never had a clogged drain or even a slow one.
Replythe coffee grinds will combine with grease to form a solid mass in the trap and good luck trying to clear it
Hard to be stupid and talll at the same time! Thanks, I never even considered that!
ReplyBe carerful with pressure pumps. They can blow apart fittings and if this happens behind a wall you will have big problems. Use snakes ''before'' using chemicals so the snake itself is not coated with the chemicals when you pull it out. After drain is running again, use the ''foaming'' drain products...and afterwards use them everyday for a few days to really clean you pipes.
ReplyNobody ever mentioned the very best quickest and stinkyest cure of all, that is Crystal Draino .True it will damage aluminum pipes , BUT Iin77years I have never seen or heard of that material used for a drain pipe. Dont get liquid draino or any one elses liquid cleaner, none are any good. The home cures may work , but seem to be a lot of extra trouble... Crystal Draino is the only one to use. It is getting harder to find ,but keep looking its worth it. I think its the strong fumes it puts out, but it works. Don Self
ReplyThe best drain cleaner in the world is Roebic. It is totally eco-friendly and contains little microbes that eat up all the gunk in your drains...soap, grease, hair, etc. But don't wait until it's completely clogged up...use is every couple of months and you'll always have clean, clear, nice-smelling drains.
ReplyA plumber told me to use bleach to clear clogs. Pour it in, let sit for 15 minutes, then run hot water. He said Drano and Liquid Plumber are damaging to pipes.
ReplyThey do not mention an even cheaper solution. It is called the zipper and cost about two collars.
ReplyYou can buy it at Home Depo, it will unclog drains or bath tubs and you don't even have to remove the stopper form the drain. It pulls up large clumps of hair or what ever is blocking the drain. Using Lq Plummer wil eat away at your pipes over the long run. The zipper removes the problem not disolve it with horrible chemicals.
My grandfather was a plummer and he said the same thing about draino. He used Pequa which I buy at home depot and it works wonderful...I tried the vinegar and baking soda..It's ok in a pinch but you really need stuff that works.
ReplyI actually had a BIG situation re: a clog in my kitchen sink this week which turned out to be an IMMENSELY HUGE $300 problem...But the bottom line was that I had not used ANY of the brand name "drain-openers"...and thankfully so, as the plumber told me he would not have been able to the work he did on it HAD I used such products...Your plumber may say the same!
ReplySo it's vinegar and baking soda for me from now on. (Also a cup of vinegar about every other week or so is good PREVENTATIVE maintenance...and cheap,too!!)...Might save you $300!! >Yowee!
When we had our disposal replaced, our plumber advised us to keep using Dawn. dish washing detergent. It`s used to clean up wildlife which has been fouled by oil spills !
ReplyIf any one knows were you can buy crystal Drano in Columbia, S.C Please post a note.. Thanks.
ReplyThe simplest and surest initial solutions tackling a slow or stopped drain is using an hose with inflatable bladder for a given sized drain..ie. 1-1/2", or 2" for inside of most homes. Most hardware stores etc. have those 2 sizes.
ReplyIf you don't want to use the hose/bladder method, than there's, the 1/4" cable method. Get one that has a 25ft 1/4" cable in a drum, that U can turn and using the thumb set-screw to advance the cable down the drain, to and thru the stoppage. Get a decent one. Their worth the money for any future use....and there will be a future use.
Last... if you don't want to go thru the hassle and/or aren't ' handy' with tools... just call your local drain clearing company or maintenance plumber. shop around for pricing. No surprises on the bill, if you know what I mean.
PS.. Forget most of the acid-type drain clearners. They can stain brass & other fine finishes if your not careful and are hazardout to keep around in the house, when you have children. Heck..even adults. Maintain kitchen and other drains with a good enzyme/bacteria product and add recommended dosage, once a month or so to house sink drains. They'll eat up soap scum, foods, oils, inhibit odors, etc and keep drain lines clean. You'll be glad you did. This also helps your septic systems maintain a viable bacteria/enzyme culture for proper digestion of foods and wastes. A must!!. unless, you enjoy seeing your septic-tank pumper .. Good Luck.
About 20 feet of det cord should do the trick. Of course you will have to replace everything from your home to your pipes but it WILL work !!
Reply