While over-the-counter drain cleaning products are effective, they are also full of harsh chemicals that are bad for you, the environment, and your plumbing pipes. Luckily, there are many natural ingredients that can be used to effectively unclog drains, and they are often cheaper and safer to use than store-bought products. Keep reading for some of our go-to homemade drain cleaning solutions.

Baking Soda, Vinegar & Hot Water

One of our favorite natural drain cleaning solutions is a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. Mix ½ a cup of baking soda with ½ cup of vinegar and pour the solution down your drain. We recommend closing the drain to let the solution work its magic. Wait 1 hour, then pour a pot of hot water down the drain. This process can be repeated a few times for more stubborn clogs.

Baking Soda & Salt

Mix ½ cup of baking soda with ½ cup of salt and pour the mixture down the drain. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes before pouring a pot of hot water down the drain. For more stubborn clogs, you can let the mixture sit overnight.

Dish Soap & Hot Water

For drains with lots of grease buildup, we recommend a dish soap and hot water mixture. Boil around 2 liters of water and mix in several tablespoons of dish soap. Slowly pour the mixture down the drain to remove grease. This method can be repeated a few times, if necessary.

Borax, Salt & Vinegar

Pour ¼ cup of salt down the drain, followed by ¼ cup of Borax and ½ cup of vinegar. Let everything sit for at least 1 hour before pouring a pot of hot water down the drain.

Additional Tips & Tricks

We have found that coat hangers and plungers are also effective in removing stubborn clogs. A wire coat hanger may be straightened out (leaving the hook at the end) and used to retrieve food, hair, and other buildup from your drains. With a plunger, create a tight seal over the drain opening and plunge up and down vigorously for 20 – 30 seconds.

We recommend following these methods with a homemade drain cleaning solution for the best results.

Call Dovis Plumbing Today!

If you’ve tried everything and can’t seem to get rid of stubborn drain blockages, Dovis Plumbing is here to help. Our skilled plumbers offer professional drain cleaning solutions – including snaking and hydro-jetting – that do not involve the use of toxic chemical cleaners. We specialize in unclogging even the most severe clogs and can restore proper flow and efficiency to your pipes in no time at all.

Call (954) 516-1078 or contact us online to schedule a service.