The Non-Toxic Ways to Unclog a Drain
If your sink or bathtub drain becomes clogged, it can be tempting to use toxic drain cleaners to clear the clog, but if you don't want to use a toxic drain cleaner, or you are unable to do so because you have a septic tank, there are alternatives. With some simple instructions and knowledge, you can unclog a drain without using toxic or harsh chemicals, or you can purchase all-natural drain cleaners that don't contain caustic chemicals.
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Do It Yourself
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To safely unclog your drain without using toxic chemicals, you will need some baking soda, vinegar and boiling water. Go to the drain that you need to unclog and take off the drain strainer, cover or whatever object filters or protects the drain, so that you have easy access to the drain hole. Next, pour about 3/4 of a cup of dry baking soda down the drain, and follow the baking soda with a half cup of vinegar. The interaction between the vinegar and baking soda will produce a violent (but safe) foaming reaction that will begin to expand inside the drain. Immediately plug the drain with a piece of cloth, rubber stopper or other instrument that will prevent the foam from coming back up into the sink or tub. By doing this, you are forcing the foam to expand down the drain in the direction of the clog, and the force of the foam's expansion will clear the clog out. Wait about 30-45 minutes for the foam to fully expand, then slowly take out the cloth or plunger that you used on the drain. Finally, take a pot of boiling hot water and pour it slowly down the drain to finish clearing out any remnants of the clog, as well as to help flush down the remnants of the foam.
Purchase Non-Toxic Uncloggers
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If you do not wish to make your own drain cleaner, you can purchase pre-made drain cleaners that are made of all natural ingredients and enzymes, instead of the caustic chemicals found in traditional drain cleaners. These all-natural products are generally more expensive than either the normal drain cleaners or the do-it-yourself method, but they are convenient and do not require as much work as unclogging the drain yourself.
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