7 Easy Ways to Unclog Drains

You've just experienced the nightmare of clogged drains. Your sink won't drain, your toilet is overflowing, and you don't know what to do. Whether it's caused by leftover food debris or something more viscous like hair gel or toothpaste, it can be frustrating and time-consuming to deal with the problem on your own.

The point is that a clogged drain is a problem we have all faced at some point or another. Don't worry. We hear you! We'll walk you through the different ways to unclog drains so you can get back to normal life as quickly as possible. These solutions range in complexity and cost, so choose the one that's right for you!

Method #1: Use baking soda, vinegar, and other natural ingredients at home.

Many people know this trick: use baking soda and vinegar to unclog drains! No, it's not some sort of sorcery; it’s science!

Baking soda is sodium carbonate, and it's a basic ingredient. Vinegar, on the one hand, is an acid. When you combine these ingredients, a reaction happens, creating a bubble-like effect that breaks up the clog. And since drains are not pressurized systems, unwanted clogs can be easily flushed when you add boiling water!

For a step-by-step guide on unclogging your drain with baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

1. Pour boiling water down the drain.
2. Add a cup of baking soda to the clogged drain.
3. Create a solution with one cup of water and one cup of vinegar. Pour it into the drain.
4. Cover the drain and wait for 10 minutes.
5. Rinse the solution with boiling water.

Other similar methods include:

• Vinegar, Lemon, and Salt - Mix equal parts of vinegar and salt in a bowl. Then add half part of lemon juice. Slowly pour the mixture into the drain and leave it for 30 minutes. Lastly, pour hot water.
• Salt and Hot Water - Pour half a cup of salt and then hot water down the clogged drain. Let it sit for half an hour, and rinse it with more hot water.

Method #2: Use a drain snake, toilet auger, or hanger.

These tools look similar, but their uses are a bit different. An auger (or toilet auger) has a long handle, so you can use it from above while standing up (and avoid getting dirty). A snake (or drain snake) is thinner than an auger, so it can fit through small spaces; it also has tiny hooks on one end which grab onto debris, so you can pull it out easily without having to get too close or touch anything gross!

You may have also heard of using clothes hangers to unclog drains. You can straighten out the hanger and create a tiny hook on one end. Start working and fishing around the clogged pipe to clear any obstructions. You'd be surprised at the amount of dirt and hair you can get with this method.

Method #3: Suck the obstruction with a wet and dry vacuum.

Do you own a wet and dry vacuum? You can use it to eliminate any obstruction in your drains. Set your vacuum to "wet" and create a seal between the vacuum and drain. Then turn it on and watch how the vacuum does the job.

Some plumbing professionals with general contractor insurance use this method to unclog drains. They prefer this over other methods because it is fast and effective!

Method #4: Use dish detergent.

Shower drains are notorious for being easily clogged with hair. Meanwhile, toilets are easily filled with toilet paper and other objects.

And for clogged shower drains and toilets, a dish detergent makes a great fix. This ingredient can break up any residue and lubricate your drain. To use, pour a cup of dish detergent into the shower drain or toilet. Then follow it with boiling water. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Next, use a plunger to help push the blockage. Finally, rinse with water.

Method #5: Pour coke down the drain.

Not many know that coke can effectively unclog drains. And it is actually quite an effective remedy for such situations.

Pour 2 liters of cola into the drain (Pepsi or other generic brands also work). Let it sit for about an hour or more before pouring hot water. And that's it!

It is noteworthy that coke is quite caustic but milder than other known drain cleaners. And because it is an acid, it is best to use it only when dealing with tough grimes. Also, it can leave a sticky residue because of its sugar content. So, when dealing with small blockages, it is advised to just use other methods like baking soda.

Method #6: Allow air to enter the pipe.

Air doesn’t only play an important role in your new AC unit; it is also essential for the proper functioning of plumbing systems.

Think of this: you put a straw into a glass of water and then cover one end with your finger. You prevent air from entering the straw and create a vacuum. The moment you lift the straw, you notice that the water doesn't drain until you remove your finger.

The same concept applies to your drain. When enough air enters the drain pipes, water and debris can drain properly. Your toilet will just swirl and empty quickly when you flush it. And if there isn't enough air coming, you may hear a gurgling sound when you flush the toilet.

Method #7: Try washing soda.

Another stronger alternative is washing soda. It is an ingredient that has been widely used for unclogging drains.

To use washing soda, pour boiling water down the sink, and follow it with a mug of washing soda. After that, pour another mug of boiling water and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. At this point, any obstruction should be eliminated. If not, repeat the entire process.

No More Clogged Drains!

Clogged drains are just among the common plumbing issues we may encounter at home. And even if they are common, many of us still don’t know what to do. Worse, we even panic and call some random people to help us fix the problem.

But clogged drains don't have to be a cause of headaches. You can always do something about them and prevent them from occurring. If the above methods don’t do the trick, you can always hire professional plumbers to do the work for you so you can focus on things that matter.

About the author

Merrie is a Marketing Manager for the Rooter Ranger brand. Her focus is on results driven strategic marketing efforts that deliver sales and profit growth. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors and traveling the world.