There is no denying that a dirty sink is the quickest way to a clogged drain. And it doesn’t matter whether it is in the bathroom or kitchen, you surely want to keep your drains tidy. This means cleaning the sink after washing the dishes and doing the same in the bathroom occasionally. And what better way to ensure that you never have to contend with dirty and clogged drains than by having your special homemade drain cleaner recipe?
Should you Buy Drain Cleaner from the Store?
It is entirely up to you. And since it is a matter of choice, you surely want to choose what’s best for you. No doubt most conventional drain cleaners are highly toxic since they contain ingredients that are harsh to the skin and body. And even though they work well to clean drains may be too much to handle especially in homes where there are kids and pets.
There is also the issue of how much most drain cleaners cost. While you don’t get to spend much on one, you could be saving more when you choose a homemade recipe instead. Whether the store is only a few blocks away or a long drive into the city, you will be saving yourself the frequent trip when you learn to DIY at home.
How Effective Are Homemade Drain Cleaners?
They work effectively to clean and freshen up dirty and smelly drains. And in most cases also helps with unclogging debris down the pipe making it easy for the drains to flow freely. But the important thing to note is that you want to get the preparation right. This means getting the right ingredients and measuring them properly. It will also help that you know how to make use of the preparation. And there is nothing technical about it. Even a 12-year-old can get it right with supervision.
The Best DIY Drain Cleaner – Baking soda and White Vinegar
When it comes to the best option for a trusted cleaner for your household drains, you want to look towards baking soda and white vinegar. Popular in many homes as a go-to natural cleaning solution, it can help with adding a brighter appeal to your sink and drains. But just as with using baking soda and white vinegar for cleaning around the house, you want to know how to use them for doing the drains.
Requirements
- ½ cup baking soda
- ½ cup white vinegar
- Measuring cup
- Sponge/brush
- Hot water
- rag
Steps
- Pour the half cup of baking soda down the drain
- Bring the ½ cup of white vinegar to a boil and pour it down the drain (you should observe a bubbling effect)
- Use the drain plug or a rag to cover the drain so the chemical process takes place (entirely safely)
- After 30 minutes, use the brush or rag to clean the sink
- Flush the drain and rinse the sink
The Best Homemade Drain Freshener – Lemon and Salt
Not sure why your drains stink so bad? It could just be the much debris stuck down there is the reason for the foul smell. And while you do need to give it a thorough clean, you could quickly refresh things in your kitchen after handwashing the dishes by rinsing the sink with salt and lemon.
Requirements
- Salt
- Lemon
- Hot water
- Sponge/brush
Steps
- Pour some salt down the drain and let it sit for 10 minutes
- Squeeze some lemon juice into a bowl and pour it slowly down the drain and allow to sit for another 10 minutes
- Use the sponge/brush to clean the sink
- Flush the drain and rinse the sink
- You can pour some more lemon juice down the sink just to complete the freshness
Things Not to Flush Down the Sink Drain
While you may be tempted to let everything pass through the drain, you want to be careful not to clog it. One way to do this is to ensure that you are observant when you do the dishes or flush things down the sink. While you surely won’t be using ink to wash your whites at home, you also won’t need to be passing rocks down your drains. Below are some of the things to avoid flushing down your drains.
- Eggshells
- Cooking oil
- Margarine
- Butter
- Cooking oil
- Coffee grounds
- Rice
- Pasta
- Grains
- flour
- Paper labels
Rather than emptying these items by flushing them down the drain. You want to empty them in the bin. You can always use a filter to get out any excess water so you can easily thrash it in the bin.
