Baking soda and vinegar are common home remedies that can be used to deodorize and unclog drains, as well as clean smelly clothing and appliances. The bacteria and fungi that cause unpleasant odors can be neutralized by the mild, disinfecting properties of these natural products. Blockages can be avoided by regularly using home remedies for cleaning. Cleaning a clogged drain with baking soda and vinegar - find out below how you can do it and whether the method is dangerous! Use home remedies as a first step before resorting to chemical drain cleaners or removing the drain siphon.
To completely avoid drain blockages, monthly drain cleaning is recommended. After all, this doesn’t cost a lot of time or money.
Getting the drain and pipe clean again – steps
It should come as no surprise that two of the most commonly used products in the kitchen – baking soda and white vinegar – can also be used to disinfect pipes and eliminate odors.These natural remediestogether dissolve drain-clogging substances.
- First, remove any obvious blockages, such as hair or food, from the drain. (Tip: If you're having trouble removing stubborn clogs, try using a wire clothes hanger.)
- Prepare a large amount of hot water. You can bring the water to a boil on the stove (but do not pour boiling water down the drain as it can damage the seals between the PVC pipes).
- Squirt a little dishwashing liquid down the drain and pour the hot water to dissolve and wash away grease clogs.
- Then pour 200 g of baking soda down the drain.
- Pour 200 ml of white vinegar. Don't be shocked if you notice a significant reaction. Vinegar is a moderate acetic acid while baking soda is alkaline. The hissing sound you hear is the reaction that typically clears drain clogs when you combine the two remedies. These home remedies react quite strongly and neutralize each other.
- After the bubbling stops, five minutes should pass. To flush the drain, add 500 ml of hot water.
If the water is draining properly, use hot tap water to further clear the pipes of debris. If it doesn't expire, repeat the previous steps. You may need to flush with baking soda twice if you haven't cleaned your drain in a while.
Is this cleaning method dangerous?
These home remedies work well for clearing drain clogs, but you should be careful not to combine the two before putting them down the drain. Drain cleaning with baking soda and white vinegar is not dangerous if done correctly. Baking soda alone often has a certain cleaning power (especially in combination with water). Vinegar, on the other hand, is an option to consider when it comes to drainage. When baking soda and vinegar come into contact with each other, a chemical reaction occurs that results in increased production of carbon dioxide (CO2). The gas has a well-deserved reputation for being an effective way to clear up minor blockages. The combinationfrom home remediesleads to a reaction that releases water and salt, lowering the pH of the water and effectively dissolving contaminants such as soap scum.
When is there a potential risk?
The combination can only be considered “dangerous” if the home remedies are first mixed in a closed container. In such a case, the chemical reaction can cause the container lid to suddenly come off. The cleaning method with baking soda and vinegar, on the other hand, is completely safe for the drain and for you.
Clean the drain with baking soda and vinegar – avoid blockages
- If you want to prevent hair and food particles from flowing down the drain, you should always use strainer baskets.
- Never clog the drain by putting oil or grease in the sink. When preparing oily or greasy foods, wipe the cookware with a paper towel before rinsing. This reduces the amount of grease and oil that goes down the drain, preventing a blockage.
- To avoid the accumulation of grease in the drain, it is recommended to regularly pour hot water mixed with a grease-dissolving detergent.
Do vinegar and baking soda damage PVC pipes?
What should you do if the pipes in your plumbing system are made of PVC? If you clean them with white vinegar and baking soda, will it damage the pipes?
The correct answer is “No”. In fact, baking soda and vinegar are two of the most efficient and safest ways to clean pipes. They do not harm the PVC pipes in any way and can even help keep the pipes clean and free of clogs. If you have PVC pipes in your home, you can keep your drains safeclean with these home remedies. Just follow the instructions carefully.
