5 Homemade Drain Cleaners That Are Safe for Your Plumbing System

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Slow drains are a nuisance for any homeowner. But if the only issue you’re experiencing is a slow drain, you may not be inclined to call a professional plumber yet—even though you should!

Your first thought might be to buy a commercial drain cleaner; however, these cleaners have harsh chemicals (like sodium hydroxide) that wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of homemade drain cleaners that are safe for your plumbing system.

Here are some of the best homemade drain cleaners to get your home’s plumbing system back in top shape.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This combination of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar may be one of the best homemade drain cleaners around. First, if you want to unclog a tub or sink drain, pull out the stopper so that you can access the drain. Then, slowly pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Now pour ½ cup of baking soda followed by ½ cup of vinegar.

Plug the drain stopper back into your drain, or if you don’t have one, cover the drain with a cloth or duct tape to prevent the mixture from leaking out.  Allow the mixture to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then flush the drain with another pot of boiling water and run hot water from your tap for at least 30 seconds. Repeat this process as needed.

Dish Soap and Hot Water

Another tried-and-true homemade drain cleaner is a mixture of dish soap and hot water. This method is excellent for breaking up pesky grease clogs.

Mix 3-5 tablespoons of liquid dish soap with two liters of boiling water. Gently pour the mixture down the sink, keeping an eye out for any splashes. Depending on the grease clog, you may need to repeat the method a few times. This is one of the many homemade drain cleaners that is safe for your plumbing system—and not to mention, it’s easy for any homeowner to try!

Borax, Salt, and Vinegar

When trying out the best homemade drain cleaners, you can’t skip this combination of borax, salt, and vinegar.

In a pot of boiling water, combine:

• 1/4 cup Borax
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup vinegar

Let this combination sit for one hour (you will notice the mixture becomes clear). Afterward, pour it down the drain and flush it out with hot tap water.

Baking Soda and Cream of Tartar

If you’re ready to wave goodbye to clogged drains, wave hello to this unique cleaner. When it comes to drain cleaners that are safe for your plumbing system, homemade mixtures such as this one are unbeatable. Cream of tartar is great for cleaning metals while baking soda releases carbon dioxide, helping to break up small clogs.

Mix together two tablespoons of cream of tartar and two cups of baking soda. Like with all of the best homemade drain cleaners, hot water is needed! Pour two cups of boiling water into the drain, followed by the cleaner, and let it sit for one hour.

Baking Soda and Salt

Our last home remedy for clogged drains is a combination of ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of salt. Dump the mixture down your bathroom or kitchen sink and let it sit for anywhere from 30 minutes to eight hours. Finally, flush out your drain with a boiling pot of water. Pouring boiling water down the drain can be dangerous, so be careful!

Trust the Gold Star Experts

There you have it! We’ve covered the homemade drain cleaners that are safe for your plumbing system—and your family. However, even the best homemade drain cleaners may not be enough to remove more substantial clogs. If you have a slow drain and need help getting rid of the problem once and for all, calling a Hicksville, NY plumber is a reliable option.

From performing drain cleanings to sewer replacements, the plumbers at Gold Star are your Long Island sewer and drain experts. Skip the toxic chemicals and schedule a professional drain cleaning with Gold Star today!