How to Clean Clogged Drains and Avoid Using Harmful Chemicals
Are your sinks and tubs clogged? Are you tired of cleaning them out with harsh chemicals? Is there a drain cleaner that works well and doesn’t leave residue behind? Our list of ideas is safe for all types of plumbing systems, including kitchen sinks, baths, toilets, faucets, and showers.
Homeowners often rely on harsh chemical drain cleaners because they are effective at clearing out clogged drains, but they can also damage pipes and cause other problems.
Using chemical drain cleaners can cause more harm than good when cleaning clogged drains. These products contain harsh chemicals that can damage pipes and other plumbing fixtures. If you’re not careful, you could end up causing even more damage to your pipes and fixtures.
Issues With Traditional Drain Cleaners
Most conventional drain cleaners contain caustic chemicals like sodium hydroxide. These chemicals are dangerous because they can cause severe burns if you get them in your eyes or mouth.
Sodium hydroxide can also cause severe burns if you accidentally get it on your skin. If you’re using it to clean out your drains, it will dissolve the grease and other gunk that builds up inside your pipes and the glue holding your pipes together.
Why EcoFriendly Drain Cleaners Are Safer
Traditional drain cleaners that contain harsh chemicals get washed into our sewers and, eventually, the local waterway systems. These chemicals end up polluting our rivers and lakes. These chemicals can harm plants and animals and even cause genetic mutations in their offspring.
Most traditional drain cleaners also contain lye, which reacts with water to produce hydrochloric acid and will burn your skin and eyes if you get it on them. They also contain sulfuric acid, which burns when it comes in contact with your skin. Both chemicals are highly corrosive. If you inhale the fumes, you could suffer respiratory problems.
If you use a chemical drain cleaner to clean PVC pipes, there is a chance that it will damage the structural integrity of the drain pipe. If this happens, you might need to replace the pipe, which will cost more than any natural drain cleaning solution. Natural drain cleaners can be more affordable in the long run when compared to traditional drain cleaners.
Safe Ways to Remove Potential Drain Clogs
If you’re experiencing slow, draining plumbing fixtures, there could be several causes. A clog may be blocking the drain or caused by an accumulation of hair, soap scum, or other debris. You will need to remove as much of the visible drain clog first before thoroughly cleaning your drain.
You can also use a toilet plunger to unclog your sink. However, buying a plunger that fits your plumbing fixture is best. Some plungers come with attachments that fit around the rim of the sink. These are useful if you have a large sink. If you have a small sink, you may need to purchase a smaller attachment.
Fill the sink or tub with water until it reaches the top of the drain. Then press down on the plunger to create a seal around the drain. Add soap if desired, then pump the handle to try and remove the clog.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking Soda is a base, while White Vinegar is an Acid. When these two substances combine, a chemical reaction takes place that will cause bubbles to form and rise. They will eat away at the blockage and potentially restore water flow to your plumbing fixture. Here are the steps required for this clog removal option:
1. Remove any debris or obstructions from the drain cover.
2. Add 1/3 cup baking soda to your sink drain.
3. Pour ¼ cup vinegar down the drain and cover it with a drain plug or cloth. Wait 5 minutes.
4. Next, pour ¾ cup of baking soda down the drain, cover, and wait another 5 minutes.
5. You should see bubbles forming around the edges of the drain. If you don’t see any bubbles, try pouring a few drops of dish soap down the drain.
Hydrogen Peroxide
You can also use hydrogen peroxide to clean your drains. Mix one cup of water, one cup of hydrogen peroxide, and one tablespoon of baking soda. This solution should help clear the drain clog.
Following basic safety procedures when implementing these natural drain cleaning methods is always essential. Wear protective clothing, including gloves, goggles, and a mask.
Dish Soap Hot Water
Another excellent way to unclog a slow drain is to use dish soap and hot water. Pour this mixture down the drain and let it sit overnight. Next morning, you’ll see that the clog is gone! You can also pour boiling water down the drain to help clear away the blockage.
Natural Drain Cleaners
Recently, companies have developed natural eco-friendly drain cleaners, which you can find at your local hardware or grocery store.
Green Gobbler
Green Gobbler drain cleaner is odorless and non-caustic, so you can safely use them around your family. Green Gobbler is derived from natural enzymes that dissolve hair, fat, oil, paper, and other debris. Green Gobbler is also biodegradable, so that it won’t harm the environment.
ECOS Earth Enzymes
ECOS Earth Enzymes is a product that cuts through hair, grease, soap scum, and other buildups, making your drains super clean. It’s non-corrosive and won’t harm any plumbing or septic systems. And it’s made by a company that doesn’t test on animals, uses no waste during production, and has manufacturing facilities powered by 100% renewable electricity.
Earthworm Drain Cleaner
Earthworm Drain Cleaner is a great natural drain cleaner because it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals like traditional drain cleaners. It also utilizes natural enzymes that break down fats and oils, making it safe to use around kids and pets. It works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and shower drains.
Harris Drain Cleaner
Harris uses naturally occurring enzymes to clean your pipes. These enzymes are safe for any pipe, including PVC and metal pipes. You can use Harris drain cleaner regularly to prevent your pipes from getting clogged. Harris’ enzyme formula removes years of buildup, and when used routinely, it can prevent future drain clogs.
Other Clog Removal Methods
There are several other environmentally safe ways to clean your drains. You can use a plunger, a snake, or a drain auger. You’ll probably need to call a plumber if you’re looking to get rid of a severe drain blockage. However, if you want to clear out any light debris blocking your drain, you can try these alternative methods. You can buy most of these at hardware stores or online.
A plunger may suffice when clearing away minor clogs. For larger clogs, you might need to use a snake or a drain auger instead.
You can use a snake to push through large clogs. A snake is a long piece of metal tubing with a handle on one end. Drain augers are similar to snakes but use a rotating head to push through clogs. Both of these tools are relatively cheap and easy to use.
Need help with clogged drains or other plumbing issues? Contact Restoration Contractors, your locally-owned Arvada, CO, restoration company. We offer plumbing emergency services! You can call us at 720-222-0809.