There is a time when every homeowner has to take matters into their own hands. Yes, that means unclogging drains too. Not only is it time efficient, but the DIY process also saves us quite a bit of money.
Most of the time, clogs are caused by a buildup of either hair, grease, or various debris over time. So instead of waiting until the last minute, make your life easier by cleaning it as soon as you notice that the water is being drained slower than usual.
Often at times, you might find that there is a combination of methods that work best. Read through the list and see which ones are the most effective for you.
Here are the 6 natural ways to unclog your drain:
Method 1: Using dish soap and hot water
Just like effectively cutting grease from your everyday dishes, dish soap will also help tremendously in removing any built up grease that is in your drain pipes. All you have to do is insert the nozzle of the dish soap as far back as it would go down the drain and give it a good squirt, immediately following it with a few cups of very hot water poured down the drain. Let the dish soap and hot water work their magic inside for up to 10 minutes. This should be enough to clear the drain effectively. If not, you might want to move on to the next method.
Method 2: The good old Vinegar and Baking Soda duo
It is no secret that vinegar and baking soda is a deadly combination when it comes to cleaning around the household. Take two cups of white vinegar and boil it to a simmer. Meanwhile, pour in a half a cup of baking soda down a funnel, makings sure that all it goes through all the way instead of sticking to the sides of the funnel shaft. Then, pour the simmering vinegar down the same funnel to the drain in order for it to mix and react with the baking soda. The duo will fight away any grease remaining in your drain pipes. Be careful while pouring the vinegar, as it will start to fizz. After letting it sit for 15 minutes, flush away any remaining of the solution with hot water.
Method 3: Don’t underestimate a wire hanger
Wire hangers should do the trick just fine if your clogs are closer to the surface. To start, first, unwire the hanger and straighten it to an along straight line. Bend one end of the straightened hanger until it takes shape of a J. Feed it through the drain pipe until you are met with the resistance of the debris clogged up. Work your way around the gunk with your makeshift plumber’s snake, remembering to pull it out instead of pushing it back in. Hook it around the debris and try to pull as much of it out. Then follow with the baking soda method mentioned above.
Method 4: A Wet/Dry Vacuum
If you have a vacuum that is capable of handling both wet and dry substance, then it can make unclogging your drain a much easier task. Just set your vacuum to the wet feature and feed the nozzle down the clogged drain. The vacuum should suck up whatever is the cause of the clogging with ease once you turn it on.
Method 5: A handy dandy toilet plunger
Place your plunger directly on top of the drain and seal it by pressing it down gently. If you have a double sink, make sure to block the drain of the other so as not to let any water come up. With all your might, start plunging vigorously, inhabiting an up and down motion only. This will make sure that the seal is not broken off. Continue plunging until you hear the clog breaking free. If you see the water swirling down the drain, you’ll know to stop.
Pro tip: It is always better to have separate plungers for your sink and toilets.
Method 6: If all else fails, just empty the pipe
If none of the methods work completely, getting rid of the clog by hand is the last resort. Under the sink, you will see a U shaped pipe connecting the sink to the wall plumbing. That is where most of the clogs are likely to occur. After lining the inside of the cupboards underneath the sink with towels, place a bucket so that there is something to collect the water once you remove the pipe. This will make the cleaning process afterward much easier. Now, clean the pipe with an old toothbrush and run water through to remove the grease and debris before replacing it back.
