If you’re dealing with a drain clog in your kitchen or bathroom sink, you probably want to fix the problem as soon as possible. Clogged drains can be a real nuisance — especially when they start giving off foul odors and create gross water backups.
One of the best ways to fix this issue is to contact a professional drain cleaning company in Toronto, ON. Plumbing experts possess a broad range of tools and techniques to thoroughly remove blockages and clean drains.
If you want to try and remove the clog yourself, however, you do have a few options. For instance, you can make a natural drain cleaner with everyday pantry essentials. These drain cleaning solutions are known for being easy, effective, and safe alternatives to drain snakes, wire hangers, and chemical drain cleaners.
Let’s go over some of the most common homemade drain cleaners!
Baking Soda & Vinegar
One of the most popular drain cleaners you can make at home consists of baking soda and vinegar. In fact, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard of this method, as it’s a go-to favorite among many homeowners in a pinch.
Simply pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, immediately followed by ½ cup of vinegar. You’ll want to cover the drain either with a stopper or wet washcloth so that the ingredients don’t accidentally rise up and into the sink.
Depending on time constraints, you should let the mixture sit and do its job for anywhere between 15 minutes and a few hours. Afterward, flush the drain with a pot of boiling water. Of course, pouring boiling water can be dangerous — so take your time and don’t rush.
Once you’ve completed the entire process, you’ll want to check and see if the drain clog has been removed. You might need to try using the homemade drain cleaner a few more times, depending on how severe the problem is. If you think you’re dealing with a large, stubborn blockage, you can always contact your local plumbing company in Toronto, ON, for help.
Baking Soda & Salt
There are many homemade drain cleaners you can make with baking soda as their base. If you’re fresh out of vinegar, you can use table salt instead. When combined with baking soda, the salt will grate along the inside of the drain, loosening any stubborn particles it comes in contact with.
Combine ½ cup baking soda with ½ cup table salt. Slowly pour the mixture into the affected sink, then let it sit for anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours. Flush out the mixture by pouring boiling water down the drain, and repeat the entire process if you think it’s needed.
Baking Soda & Cream of Tartar
Since there are so many drain cleaners you can make at home, it’s fairly easy to find a mixture that can tackle your specific clog. For example, if you find yourself with a soap scum or hair clog, you might want to consider using this combination of baking soda and cream of tartar.
In a bowl, combine two cups of baking soda with two tablespoons of cream of tartar. Add a few cups of boiling water to the affected drain, then quickly follow it with the cream of tartar mixture. Let the ingredients sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
Borax, Vinegar & Salt
If you’re dealing with a stubborn clog, you might find that baking soda isn’t strong enough to remove it. Instead of reaching for a chemical drain cleaner, consider making this mixture of borax, vinegar, and salt.
Measure out ½ vinegar, ¼ cup Borax, and ¼ cup table salt. Combine these ingredients, then pour the mixture into the drain. After letting the mixture work on the blockage for one hour, pour boiling water into the drain to flush it out. If you’re worried about burning yourself, you can also use hot water from the tap.
Dish Soap & Boiling Water
Grease clogs are some of the most common (and most frustrating) problems homeowners face regarding their drains. When you dump hot grease into your sink, it’s important to be aware that this grease can quickly harden after it cools. Once grease solidifies, it can cause a nasty, tough clog.
Fortunately, there are a few drain cleaners you can make at home that can help — although, probably not completely eliminate — grease clogs. One of the most popular is a combination of dish soap and hot water.
Bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove, then pour three to five tablespoons of dish soap into it. Once you’ve thoroughly mixed the dish soap into the water, pour the mixture into the drain. Although there are homemade methods you can use to dissolve grease blockages, such as this one, many plumbing contractors in Toronto, ON, will suggest scheduling a professional drain cleaning to thoroughly remove the clog.
Why Should You Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners?
When you’re browsing the aisles at your local grocery store or home improvement store, you’ll probably notice a wide variety of chemical drain cleaners on these shelves. These products tout that they’re effective, but it’s important to know that they can cause irreversible damage to your plumbing system.
Many commercial drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide, that can cause pipes to deteriorate and pose a threat to septic systems. These products can be especially harmful when used frequently — and you may find yourself needing an emergency plumbing company in Toronto, ON, to repair your drains or replace your pipes. Fortunately, homemade drain cleaners can be a safe substitute for these products.
Schedule a Drain Cleaning With Our Plumbing Experts!
As you can see, there are various drain cleaners you can make at home. Hopefully, you’ve found a method that works for your particular situation. Whether you’re dealing with a hair blockage, grease clog, or soap scum buildup, you can trust Same Day Plumbing to provide you with a dependable drain cleaning service.
Our local plumbers in Toronto, ON, offer various solutions to tackle a wide range of drain problems. For instance, our hydro-jetting services can help keep drains clean while removing the toughest of blockages.
Slow drains are no fun to encounter. If you need kitchen or bathroom plumbing services, rest assured that we’ll be there to help. Contact us to schedule a clogged drain repair in Toronto, ON, today!
