Blocked drains in Geelong are the most common issue households face. They are messy, inconvenient, and sometimes expensive to fix. Blocks in drains can be even more frequent if you have more members in your home or you throw down a lot of waste into your drains. Hence, it could be helpful to learn and keep some solutions ready.
By solutions, we do not just mean calling a 24/7 plumber in Geelong or using a readymade chemical cleaner. We meant organic and homemade solutions.
Homemade drain cleaners may appear to be a hassle, but rest assured, they are relatively simple and effective. By the end of this article, you will be well-equipped to clear your clogged drains all by yourself.
Shall we begin?
1. Dish Soap + Hot Water
The first homemade recipe to fix clogged drains is a mixture of dish soap and hot water. Boil roughly two litres of water and mix several tablespoons of dish soap. Slowly pour this mixture into the drain.
It could take a few attempts to clear the clog, so stay patient and try a few times. This works well for grease clogs as the solution melts the solidified grease, making it easy to get out of the system. You will usually see grease clogs in sink drains, so try this home remedy before calling your plumber.
Remember to remove the drain screen or stopper and clean any visible blocks before you try this or any of the following solutions.
2. Baking Soda + Vinegar + Hot Water
This is probably the most used home remedy to clear blocked drains.
First, clear the surrounding area of the sink and remove the drain screen. Course half a cup of baking soda in the drain. Following that, pour half a cup of vinegar. Then, plug the drain and let the solution sit for at least an hour.
Now unplug the drain and run boiling water down it, flushing out the solution and the stuck waste. Continue streaming the drain with hot water until the clog gets cleared.
Like any other home remedy, it may take a few attempts until the drain is unblocked. So, give it some time if it’s not an emergency.
3. Plunger + Warm Water
The kitchen sink is the big focus of this strategy. It should do the trick for almost all minor clogs. However, you may need a professional’s help for stubborn clogs.
Firstly, a plunger made of rubber is advised as it provides better suction than wood or plastic. Use the plunger to unclog any food caught at the drainpipe’s curve beneath the sink, which is difficult to access with a hook.
Remove any dishes or rags from your sink and fill a few inches up with warm water. Now plunge away. This will also take several attempts to clear the clog completely.
4. Salt + Borax + Vinegar
This is another effective home remedy for blocked drains.
Begin by pouring ¼ cup of salt, then ¼ cup of Borax, and then ½ cup of vinegar into the problematic drain. Let these ingredients sit in the drain for a minimum of one hour. By then, it will have mostly loosened the clog.
The last step is to flush the block with hot water. It forces all the ingredients and the waste out of the drain easily. Repeat the process if necessary.
5. Baking Soda + Lemon Juice
A blend of baking soda and lemon juice works great in clearing greasy clogs. People prefer lemon juice over vinegar because of its citrus aroma. Using it clears the clog and fills the room with a pleasant aroma. Win-win!
So, you start by pouring half a cup of baking soda, followed by half a cup of lemon juice. Let these ingredients do their work for about an hour after plugging the drain. Finally, stream a pot of hot water down the drain.
After this, you may even try plunging for better results. If the clog isn’t cleared even after all this, you should call the plumber and confirm the real problem.
6. Baking Soda + Cream of Tartar + Salt
This is our final solution for this listicle. Like others, this is also well-received by many. However, cream of tartar is not a common item to have in homes. But if you do have it by any chance, try this solution.
- Combine 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup baking soda, and 2 teaspoons cream of tartar.
- Shake the contents of the jar after sealing it.
- Pour half of the contents of the jar down the drain and save the rest for later.
- Bring a kettle of water to a boil after applying the remedy, and run it down the drain.
- Observe the drain for an hour. Then run tap water to flush any leftover solution.
Conclusion
There you go!
These are the 6 best homemade solutions to clear clogged drains. Some work best for greasy clogs, while others work for soapy bathroom clogs. Nevertheless, you can try any of these remedies before rushing to call the plumber. As you know, clogs can be simple sometimes and hiring an expert for such simple clogs can still be expensive.
Thus, use these remedies well.
Your Local Plumbing has many experts for different types of plumbing problems. You can reach out to them if you ever need any help with your plumbing.
We hope you found these simple solutions helpful.