Neglecting to clean your drains can lead to serious plumbing issues down the line. Every day, food scraps, soap and greasy substances wash down the plughole, leaving a grimy coating on the inside of pipes. This residue creates an unpleasant odour and attracts bacteria, mould and even flies to kitchens and bathrooms.
While many social media users recommend using white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to clear blocked drains, these household staples are not actually powerful enough on their own to break down grease. The combination produces a fizzing reaction that can dislodge some debris, but it does little to tackle the sticky grease that causes most germs and blockages.
However, specialists at Get Home Things have revealed that ordinary washing up liquid can do the trick. Their advice is to pour half a cup of baking soda down the sink, followed by half a cup of vinegar, and wait for the fizz. Then pour a full cup of washing up liquid down the drain and leave it to sit for 15 minutes before running hot water through. This simple method can clear minor clogs and help prevent future blockages without the need for costly chemical cleaners.
Washing up liquid is specifically designed to break down oils and grease, which means it dissolves the sticky layer on the inside of pipes. This makes it far more effective than vinegar and baking soda alone for thoroughly cleaning a drain.
For a full deep clean, start by pouring 100g of baking soda down the drain, then add 120ml of white vinegar and wait a minute or two for the bubbles to subside. Next, squirt 250ml of washing up liquid down the drain and leave it for at least 15 minutes to soften greasy residue. Finally, pour boiling water from a kettle down the sink to melt the grease and wash away any remaining debris, leaving your drain sparkling clean.
