Comments on: Natural Homemade ‘drain-o’, or How To Unclog Without Harmful Chemicals

By: BB

BB — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:09:53 +0000

I just stumbled across your blog and finding many of your cleaning items to be intriguing. I have been using baking soda and vinegar for years to clear my drains. I first learned the trick from a plumber of all people. He was very adamant of not using liquid drain cleaning. The one thing he added to the method was to pour a hot tea kettle full of water down the drain after letting the vinegar/baking soda mixture sit overnight. Also if the clog is stubborn, you can use a plunger along with the hot water to clear the drain. Works like a charm every time!

By: Sayward

Sayward — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:41:23 +0000

@ Jeanne – I’m sorry this didn’t work for you. A lot of my long-haired readers have been quite successful with it!

***Just an FYI to everyone else, I do NOT endorse pouring lye down your drains.***

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:13:51 +0000

This does not work if you have long hair. Which we do. I use straight lye. Pour 2 TBSP down drain, pour in 2 cups COLD water, then 20 minutes later flush. Works.

By: Sayward

Sayward — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:34:49 +0000

@ Larry – Very true, prevention is always the best medicine!

By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:20:06 +0000

Comment for Angel and the basement floor drain: A lot depends on how old the house is and where the drain pipe goes after it leaves the basement. If it daylights to the outside(meaning it just runs out onto the ground in a low area),it may be clogged with leaves or other organic debris. I have even seen pipes clogged with acorns from chipmunk nests (seriously). If the pipe drains into a drywell or septic tank, and is very old, it could be collapsed or be partially filled with soil or tree roots. If a previous owner used the drain as a waste disposal it could have any number of things in there from cement dust to wood shavings to used oil to… Baking soda and vinegar isn’t likely to work if any of these scenarios exist, but I would still give it a try. But before I called a plumber or a sewer rooter service I would rent a “plumber’s snake” to try to open it up (you can get manual and power assisted snakes). Good luck with the vinegar and baking soda.

And to Sayward: Good site and good suggestion, but I am surprised you didn’t mention prevention. If you successfully limit only water and soap going down the drain you will almost never have a clog. Regularly pouring fat, grease or large food particles down the drain is a sure way to invite a buildup and eventual clog. But if you must, incorporating your method into a regular maintenance schedule would prevent a clog.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:01:21 +0000

I’d been putting baking soda and vinegar down my drain to no avail — came across your post and realized I should be plugging the drain so that the fizz would be forced DOWN the pipe instead of up and out the pipe. Of course! As soon as I did that my drain cleared up! Thanks for the advice :)

By: Sayward

Sayward — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:18:08 +0000

@ hazeleyes – Thanks lady! Glad it worked for you!

@ Kimberley – Yup, it’s crazy how spectacular these cleansers work, without all the noxious fumes. Everyone’s always skeptical, but they’re never disappointed!

@ Kei – Thanks for the reminder, I totally overlooked that. No more Arm & Hammer for me.

@ Angel – It’s worth a try – it certainly couldn’t hurt! And it’s a lot cheaper than any other option. =)

By: Angel

Angel — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:39:59 +0000

Do you think baking soda, vinegar, and hot water would unclog a floor drain in a basement? We have a clog that is backing up water into our basement area.

By: Kei

Kei — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:24:45 +0000

Let me fix my statement before it gets my butt kicked: I am NOT suggesting for a second that you all don’t care about whether or not a product does animal testing. I’m just putting the word about Arm and Hammer out there for anyone who may not know. I hope I haven’t offended anyone.

By: Kei

Kei — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:57:42 +0000

Be careful what baking soda you use… Arm and Hammer tests on animals. Not every one cares about stuff like that. But if you do, it’s best to check.