How to Avoid Getting a Clogged Drain

Follow a simple routine to keep your sink drains running free and clear.

A clogged drain in your house can be a huge inconvenience because it can cause the water in your sink to empty slowly or not empty at all, and having to call a plumber to schedule an appointment is never fun. On top of all of the inconvenience, a clogged drain can also cause unpleasant odors and embarrassment in front of company. It's amazing how even something as temporary as a drain clog can give people the impression that you don't take good care of your house. Follow a few simple steps to keep your drain clear and take the actions necessary to prevent a clogged drain.

Things You'll Need

• Jar or can
• Pot
• Baking soda
• Vinegar

Instructions

1. Put a big, empty jar or coffee can under your sink. A clogged drain is often the result of liquid fats hardening in your pipes once they cool down in your drain. Every time you cook bacon or any other food that produces a lot of liquid fat, empty the fat into the jar instead of pouring it down your drain. This will go a long way toward preventing a clogged drain and keeping the plumber at bay.

2. Rinse your drain with a couple of pots of boiling water every month. This is another preventive measure that helps to attack a drain clog before it even becomes a problem. Any fat that does manage to make it into your pipes and harden will melt away at extremely high temperatures before it can cause a clogged drain.

3. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down your drain, then follow it with 1/2 cup of white vinegar and quickly put your hand over the drain to press the foam into the drain. After the foam stops building, remove your hand and wait 10 minutes. Flush it down the drain with 1 gallon of boiling water. This further helps to prevent a clogged drain because the foaming action of the baking soda and vinegar helps to loosen the drain clog.

References

• Eartheasy: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning
• Greener Choices: Homemade Household Cleaners