How to Unclog a Drain the Eco-Friendly Way

How to Unclog a Drain the Eco-Friendly Way

While they get the job done, standard drain cleaners contain plenty of harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment as they enter the water supply through pipelines. Furthermore, they not only damage pipes and appliances but are damaging to your health if inhaled or touched with bare skin. If you’re interested in bypassing a conventional drain cleaner but aren’t sure where to start, take a look at these options that are healthier for you, your home, and the environment. For more ideas, talk to the team at Wood Country Building Services.

1. Boiling Water

The easiest method to unclog a drain is to simply pour boiling water down the drain; however, this method only works on minor clogs and on drains where there is no standing water. Because of its simplicity, it’s a great method to start with. It also may help determine what is creating the clog, as a grease clog may simply melt away with boiling water, while a hair clog will not.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar

The most popular method for environmentally friendly drain cleaning is to create a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, allowing the bubbles from the chemical reaction to clear the drain. After bailing out all excess water from the basin, pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup vinegar. Cover the drain with a damp cloth and allow the mixture to sit overnight. In the morning, remove the cloth and pour boiling water down the drain. You may have to repeat the process to fully clear the clog. Once the clog is gone, pour boiling water down the drain one more time to clear any debris.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Just like baking soda and vinegar, combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide creates a chemical reaction that can loosen stubborn clogs. After bailing out the standing water from the basin, pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup hydrogen peroxide. Cover with a damp cloth and leave overnight, then rinse with boiling water. Repeat if needed, then follow with boiling water down the drain.

4. Eco-friendly Drain Solution

While most drain solutions contain chemicals you may not want to bring into your home, there are drain cleaning solutions available containing only natural ingredients that won’t emit hazardous fumes or take a toll on the environment. You can research different brands to ensure the ingredients are ones you’re comfortable with, and that the product is advertised to fix the type of clog you have.

5. Drain Snake

Ideally used for shower drains, a drain snake is a good choice for removing clogs of hair or other tougher substances that natural remedies might not be able to dissolve. Drain snakes are inexpensive to purchase, but you can also make your own by straightening out a wire clothes hanger. Start by bailing out the excess water from the basin. While a sink without any standing water makes less of a mess, a drain snake will still work if you can’t remove all the water. Feed the drain snake into the drain, pushing it through the clog to break up the material, repeating until the clog is gone. Make sure to run hot water down the drain afterward to clear any leftover grease or debris, as a drain snake won’t clean the drain like a chemical solution will.

6. Sink Plunger

Another way to tackle a stubborn clog is to use a sink plunger. Sink plungers are great if you can’t bail out enough water for a drain-cleaning solution to be effective. They are also reusable, so you don’t have to worry about running out of ingredients to make a solution for a recurring clog. Sink plungers are often smaller than toilet plungers, meaning that the suction cup is the ideal size for sinks and bathtubs. To use a sink plunger, place the plunger on top of the clogged drain, then push down on the plunger sharply and forcefully, just like a toilet plunger. Repeat until the clog is gone and the standing water can drain.

You’re now ready to tackle even the most stubborn clogs without the use of harsh chemicals. The environment will thank you! If you’re unsure which option may be best for you, the team at Wood Country Building Services is happy to provide you with more advice!