Introduction
A blocked sink can quickly turn from a minor annoyance into a messy, smelly and expensive problem. But before you spend money on chemical cleaners or calling a plumber, it's worth checking your kitchen cupboards. Two everyday household ingredients could be all you need to help loosen minor clogs and freshen your drains naturally.
According to Mum and digital creator Judy Gilroy, you only need vinegar and baking soda. She took to Instagram to share: "The best hack to naturally unblock drains — have you tried it? It’s so quick and easy to do, and it really works! I’ve tried so many products, and this is, by far, the best method."
Method
Judy began by pouring one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar down her drain. The combination mixed and created a big, bubbly, fizzing reaction. She then placed a cloth over the drain and let it sizzle for 10 minutes, and voila, her drain was unblocked. She then squeezed half a lemon in the sink to remove any odours.
To finish off her cleaning process, Judy poured hot water down the drain to "flush" everything through. She recommended doing this monthly "for forever clean and clear sinks".
In the comments, Judy said: "When I forget to do this for a month or two, I really notice the difference." One person also said: "I received this same advice from a plumber with over 30 years of experience." Another person shared: "I’ve been doing this for many many many years!" While a third commented: "Yes! A Plummer showed this to me 18 years ago. Works like magic."
However, some people warned against this method, with some saying that mixing vinegar and baking soda just turns the solution into water. One other person alerted that after a while, the baking soda will start to clump up inside the drain and you'll eventually need a plumber.
Why baking soda and vinegar work
According to EnviroClear: "The chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda is a classic science experiment often used in homemade drain cleaners. When these two substances are combined, they create a fizzy reaction due to the acid-base interaction, producing carbon dioxide gas. This reaction can be enhanced by adding boiling water, which helps in clearing clogged drains more effectively. This effervescence can dislodge minor blockages in drains, making it seem like an effective solution. However, this reaction is often not powerful enough to tackle more serious clogs, especially those involving grease or hair."
Other alternatives
Another natural drain-cleaning method uses a mixture of baking soda and salt. Combine one cup of baking soda with half a cup of table salt, pour it down the drain and leave it to sit for several hours, or overnight, before flushing with hot water. Repeat if needed to help break down stubborn build-up. Alternatively, you can use salt on its own. After removing any standing water from the sink, pour half a cup of table salt down the drain, followed by hot water. Leave it to sit for a few minutes before flushing again with more hot water. The coarse salt helps scrub away grease and debris from the inside of the pipes, while the hot water washes the loosened residue away.
