Nothing is worse after a long soak in the bathtub than finding your water draining slowly. While you may think you need to call a plumber. There is something you can do to clean drains. Most of the things you need you may have around your home.
In this guide, you will find one of the best drain cleaners using baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. Besides just using this to clean drains, you can throw this mix down every couple of weeks to keep all your gutters clean and smelling fresh.
Baking soda and vinegar cleaning drain clogs can save a fortune on calling a plumber.
Does Baking Soda Unclog Drains?
You can find many methods that people use when trying to unclog drains. However, depending on the clog type, they are not always effective at cleaning gutters all the way through. Vinegar and baking soda react with each other and foam as a result. When cleaning a drain, this foaming action can break down stubborn scum and deposits so water flows freely.
Here are examples of other methods people resort to clear their drains.
Hot Water: Pouring boiling water to clean a drain can help if it is fats and oils with no complex substances. However, once it cools, you can make the blockage worse.
Using plungers: A plunger can be used, and on some occasions, they help. However, they won’t clean your drains as well as other methods.
Using bent wire hangers: A wire hanger can be the best solution if your blockage is hair. However, it means pulling this back into your bathtub, and you may not get all of it. Against this won’t clear any residue buildup.
Using dish detergent: A mild solution to help keep drains clear. It won’t shift the stubborn blockage, yet it can help prevent things from sticking inside your drains.
Coke: Coke is acidic and can eat away at some stubborn blockages. You pour a large bottle into your drain and let it sit for around an hour before washing it with hot water.
Using plumber’s snakes: If you have a snake, use it or call your plumber. Using these is much like an extended wire hanger and won’t clear soap scum on the walls of your drains.
What works best to unclog a bathtub drain?
It may appear demanding, but once you try to unclog your drains, it can be easier than you think with your DIY drain cleaner. It should be noted that some commercial drain cleaner options are acidic and can damage pipes or joints when drain cleaning, especially if your home is old and not all plastic.
Besides, using a commercial drain cleaner can leave a horrible lingering smell as you pour it down a clogged drain and have the chance to burn your skin. You may find a combination of methods is required to eliminate a blockage. Yet, once you begin using baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water. There aren’t many other ways that are as successful or as eco-friendly as these. (Read About Baking Soda Laundry)
One of the best ways is to unclog a drain with vinegar and baking soda. It is safer for your health, but it is tough on a clogged drain to clear the blockage, deodorize your pipes, and remove stubborn soap slime and scum that leads to a clogged drain.
How Much Baking Soda Does it Take to Unclog a Drain?
Before you even tackle cleaning the drain, it is good to understand the main things that cause this issue.
Minerals: You may have hard water, and these deposits accumulate over time. As these build, they restrict water flow, and other things can catch on these to cause a blockage.
Hair: Hair is one of the main things it matters inside the drains. It catches and clings to anything else and quickly causes blockages. If you pull hair from the drain, it is nearly always covered in soap slime.
Soap: Soaps are made from oils and fats, so if these don’t wash away effectively, they can accumulate quickly. Besides, it sticks to hair or the mineral deposits in the drain to cause stubborn clogs.
Here you can find the guidelines for cleaning drains with vinegar and baking soda.
- Have plenty of boiling water available (Take your kettle into the bathroom).
- Squirt some dishwashing detergent into your drain and pour the hot water down. The first step can help loosen and break down the fats from soap scum.
- Add 1 cup to 2 cups of baking soda into your drain. You may need a funnel to get this past the drain cover.
- Add one cup of white vinegar. Most of the pressure from the reaction will want the foam to flow into your bath. Cover your drain so it works downward.
- Wait five minutes as you boil your kettle. Pour boiling water into the drain to flush debris and the used baking soda from your pipes. If it drains, turn on your hot water faucet and run for a while.
- If you find the drain is letting water through but not fast, you can repeat the steps once or twice.
If you don’t wish to sit in your tub pouring hot water into your drain, add one cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of salt. Cover the drain and let this sit overnight.
In the morning, boil your kettle and flush it with boiling water. Because these drains run at shallow angles, you should regularly use 1-cup baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water for drain cleaning. It is also advisable to use baking soda and vinegar in your kitchen to help keep the drains there clean after much use.
FAQ: How To Unclog A Bathtub Drain
How can I identify if my bathtub drain is clogged?
Some clear signs that your bathtub drain is clogged include slow drainage, standing water in the bathtub, or dirty water backing up into your tub.
What are the basic steps to unclog a bathtub drain using baking soda and vinegar?
First, remove the stopper. Pour boiling water down the drain, followed by around 1/2 cup of baking soda. Wait a few minutes, then pour a mixture of vinegar and boiling water down the drain. After 20-30 minutes, rinse with boiling water again to fully clear the clog.
Can I use a plunger to unclog a bathtub drain?
Yes, using a plunger is one of the common methods to fix a clogged bathtub drain, especially if the clog isn’t too severe. Make sure to cover the overflow drain, then place the plunger over the drain and pump rigorously.
How should I use a drain snake to unclog a bathtub drain?
To use a drain snake, you first need to remove the stopper and the overflow plate. Next, insert the snake into the overflow opening and push until you feel resistance, which is likely to be the clog. Move the snake back and forth to loosen the clog, then pull it back. Eventually, you should be able to clear the clog.
Before unclogging a bathtub drain with baking soda and vinegar, what precautions should I take?
Ensure no chemical drain cleaners are in the tub drain, as they could react with vinegar and baking soda. Also, wearing gloves and having sufficient ventilation in the bathroom is advisable.
What is the role of boiling water when unclogging the bathtub drain?
Boiling water is essential as it helps loosen the clogged materials in the drain and clear the hot water pipes. It’s used both before and after the process of unclogging the drain with baking soda and vinegar to enhance the effectiveness of these ingredients.
How can I remove the stopper from my bathtub drain?
Most drain stoppers can be unscrewed or simply pulled out. If it’s a drop stopper, turning it anti-clockwise will usually do the trick, while for a lever-operated stopper, you may need to remove the overflow plate first.
If the baking soda and vinegar solution fails, what are my other options to unclog a bathtub drain?
Other ways to unclog a bathtub drain include using a plunger, a drain claw, or a drain snake. In more severe cases, you may need to use a chemical drain cleaner or seek professional help from a plumber.
When should I call a plumber to unclog a bathtub drain?
If you’ve tried multiple methods to unclog the bathtub drain without success, or if the drain repeatedly gets clogged, it’s time to call a professional plumber. Excessive force or inappropriate tools can worsen the condition of your drains, causing more damage in the long run.
Can I prevent my bathtub from clogging?
While preventing a bathtub drain from clogging may be impossible, certain practices can reduce the risk. Avoid letting hair and other debris go down the drain. You can use a strainer to help catch such materials. Regularly flushing the drain with boiling water could also assist in preventing the build-up of residues.
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