Drains will stay clean and never smell if you pour 1 common kitchen item down the sink
Vinegar and baking soda alone will not clear a clog.
It is easy to overlook cleaning out a drain but it can become the filthiest area in a home due to the amount of food, soap and other oily substances that go down the sink every day. Over time this debris can create a greasy layer inside a pipe which smells awful as it will attract bacteria, mould and even flies to a kitchen or bathroom.
This grease will quickly lead to the water draining away slowly in the sink and more clogs, but eventually can lead to a complete pipe blockage which will need a professional plumber to fix. Many people on social media have advised using white vinegar and baking soda to clear out a drain but these are actually not strong enough on their own to dissolve grease. However, the experts at Get Home Things have shared you do not need any expensive or harsh cleaners, as simple washing up liquid can properly clean a drain.
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They said: “If you’ve got a clogged sink drain, don’t head straight for the chemical drain clog remover - try using some washing up liquid first!
“Pour half a cup of baking soda down the sink followed by half a cup of vinegar (it will fizz). Then pour down an entire cup of washing up liquid and let it sit for 15 minutes before running hot water through the drain. This should do the trick!”
White vinegar and baking soda are often recommended online to clear drain clogs as when mixed together they create a big fizzy reaction that can loosen some of the debris.
However, they are quite mild substances and don't deal with the grease on a pipe drain that causes most of the germs and clogging.
Washing up liquid has been designed to be able to break down oils and grease, which will dissolve the sticky layer on a pipe to completely clear out a drain.
This is a simple but very effective way to deep clean a sink to help prevent blockages in the future or clear away minors clogs without spending lots of money on drain cleaners.
How to clear a sink drain using only natural items
1. To begin, pour 100g of baking soda down the drain, as it will coat the pipes and helps the fizzy reaction get deeper into the drain.
2. Pour 120ml of white vinegar into the drain as well, and the fizzy bubbles will help loosen some of the gunk. Wait one or two minutes for the bubbles to disappear.
3. Squirt 250ml of washing up liquid down the drain. Then, leave the drain alone for at least 15 minutes as it gives the soap time to dissolve and soften any of the greasy residue.
4. Once the time is up, fill a kettle to the brim and once it has boiled pour the hot water down the sink. It will melt the soft grease and wash away any stuck debris so your sink drain will be sparkling clean without much effort.
