How to Open a Clogged Drain With Baking Soda

Over time drains can become sluggish or even clogged with dirt, grime or hair. If this happens you can call a plumber and spend a ton of money for some harsh chemicals that can damage your pipes, or you can use an all-natural method. The natural method utilizes baking soda.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Boiling water
• Vinegar
• Washing soda

Instructions

1. Pour one cup of baking soda down your sluggish drain.

2. Follow that immediately by three cups of boiling water. The boiling water will activate the baking soda, which will eat away at any dirt and grime in the pipes.

3. Use vinegar and baking soda if the baking soda does not not unclog the drain by itself: Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain and then follow that with half a cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to fizz for five minutes and then wash it down with the three cups of boiling water.

4. Finish unclogging your drain with washing soda if the clog won't budge at all. Pour half a cup of washing soda over the drain. Leave it there for half an hour. Then pour the baking soda down the drain followed by the boiling water.

Tips & Warnings

• Pour boiling water down your drain once at the end of each day to keep your pipes clean.

• Do not use washing soda after a professional-strength cleaner. They will react badly with each other. Do not overuse washing soda. It has an alkaline level of 11 and can damage your pipes over time.

References

• Clearing Clogged Drains
• Drain Cleaning