How to Get Rid of Mineral Build-Up in Drains

The sink drain needs cleaning, too.

Sink and bathtub drains are exposed to a variety of substances daily. Food, grease, soap and mineral deposits from hard water build up inside the drain. It can take a while, but mineral deposit buildup can eventually compromise the performance of your drain and contribute toward unpleasant odors wafting out of the drain. Treating your hard water for excessive minerals helps reduce limescale and calcium buildup. But when this isn't possible, you can get rid of mineral deposits inside your drain with supplies found readily around your home.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• Kitchen towel
• Cooking pot

Instructions

1. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the drain. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar.

2. Cover the drain with a kitchen towel. Allow the vinegar and baking soda mixture to bubble and work at loosening mineral deposits inside the drain for 15 minutes.

3. Heat 2 quarts of water to boiling.

4. Remove the towel from the drain. Slowly pour the boiling water into the drain to rinse away the baking soda solution and loosened mineral deposits.

Tips & Warnings

• Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar or full-strength lemon juice down your drain each week to keep mineral deposits from building up again.

• Use boiling water in the drain sparingly. Excessive heat can damage some pipes. When in doubt, substitute the hottest tap water possible.

References

• "Mother Earth News"; Greener Cleaners -- 5 Ingredients for Less-Toxic Cleaning; Annie Berthold-Bond; April/May 2004
• Ecology Center: Alternative Cleaning Recipes -- Drains
• Environmental Law Centre: The Five Basics for Non-Toxic Cleaning
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension; Removing Mineral Deposits From Household Surfaces; Sandra A. Zaslow; March 1996