How to Clean Clear Plastic Oil Pipes

Plastic oil pipes need to be cleaned to remove obstructions and grime.

Clear plastic oil pipes are a form of piping that is used in industrial settings or automotive settings. These pipes are typically made from PVC. Cleaning and unclogging plastic drains and piping is a relatively simple process that takes household products that are all natural. This way, you don't have to deal with harsh chemicals and possible chemical burns in order to clean the piping. If your clear plastic oil pipes are used in an automotive capacity, you will have to have them professionally cleaned to avoid contaminating your automobile with products that are not conducive to automobile use.

Things You'll Need

• ½ cup baking soda
• 2 cups white distilled vinegar
• Tea kettle
• Wire clothes hanger
• Pliers
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Pour ½ cup baking soda into the drain or pipe itself, followed immediately by 2 cups of white distilled vinegar. The combination of both of these substances will provide a bubbling substance that will break down and clean oily grime and clogging debris.

2. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the baking soda and vinegar to work. In the meantime, fill up the tea kettle with warm water and place on the stove. Heat the water until it is almost boiling and pour it into the drain to flush out any loose debris and grime.

3. Unwind the wire clothes hanger with the pliers and straighten the wire hanger as much as you can. Use the pliers to form a hook on the end.

4. Stick the wire hanger into the drain or pipe hook end first. Use this to pull up any obstruction that may be clogging the pipe. Rinse the drain or pipe with warm water to flush out any debris that comes loose in the process. Rinse the wire hanger.

5. Stick the hook through one end of the sponge and move the sponge onto the hook. Stick the other end of the sponge through the hook as well to create a scrubbing surface for the pipes. Dampen the sponge and sprinkle some baking soda on the end of the sponge.

6. Stick the sponge into the drain or pipe and move the hanger back and forth to scrub the inside of the pipe. Alternate pouring 1 cup of white vinegar and water into the drain or pipe while you scrub. This will help clean off the sides of the pipe.

7. Rinse the sponge and repeat steps 5 and 6 until the whole pipe is clean.

Tips & Warnings

• After using the baking soda and vinegar to remove obstructions, you can use a multipurpose cleaner if you prefer instead of the baking soda and vinegar to clean the pipes.

• If you decide to clean automobile pipes yourself instead of taking them to a professional, make sure you detach them completely from your automobile and rinse and dry them thoroughly before reattaching them. Failure to do so can result in serious damage to your automobile.

References

• Harvel: Harvel Clear PVC
• TheGoodHuman: Naturally Unclog a Drain with Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Water