Can bleach unclog a drain?

Author: Pat Reinger  |  Last update: Friday, December 29, 2023

It is not a great drain clog remover. Bleach has no effect in dissolving the common culprits of household drain clogs, like hair, food scraps and grease.

Is it OK to pour bleach down the drain?

Just like cooking oil, bleach is one of those things you shouldn't pour into your sink. You should also never use bleach to unclog your drains. Doing so can even burst your drain pipes, and you'll be left with a nasty and expensive mess.

Is bleach or vinegar better for clogged drain?

If you use bleach to clean a drain on a nonoperating unit will leave residual bleach, which will damage the drain pan and line as we stated before. Using vinegar for preventative maintenance throughout the year will keep not only keep your drain clean and clear, but it also will not damage your line.

How long should you leave bleach in drain?

Leave the sink alone for about 30 minutes; do not turn on the water. Waiting allows the bleach to fully penetrate without being washed away too quickly. Let the smell of the bleach disappear entirely and then see if the foul odor persists. If it does, try pouring another cup of bleach down the sink in the same manner.

What do you pour down a clogged drain?

Baking Soda and Salt

Mix ½ cup of salt and ½ cup of baking soda and pour it into your clogged pipe. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes, then follow with boiling water to rinse everything away.

Will bleach unclog a drain?

What is the quickest way to unblock a drain?

Baking Soda and Vinegar

We suggest that you mix 1/3 of a cup of baking soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar to create your drain unblocking remedy. When mixing the two ingredients, they should start to fizz straight away so you should waste no time pouring the concoction straight down your sink.

Does pouring coke down a drain unclog it?

You may be surprised to learn that pouring soda down the drain does work for some clogs. To be specific, you need a dark-colored cola (such as Coca-Cola or Pepsi). This type of carbonated beverage usually contains a good amount of phosphoric acid, which given enough time, can eat away at some types of clogs.

Will bleach hurt PVC pipes?

While certain cleaners may not be compatible with PVC piping, bleach is usually safe to use in most applications, as long as it's used properly.

How much bleach do I use to unclog a drain?

Adding between 1/5 and 3/4 of a cup of bleach to your shower drain might just be enough to unclog your shower drain.

Will vinegar unclog a drain?

Along with gravity, this pressure helps remove unwanted goop out of the pipes and unclogs drains. Baking soda, vinegar and boiling water can help clean drains naturally, but you may need something stronger, like Liquid-Plumr, to fully unclog those really tough drain clogs.

Will bleach dissolve hair?

It is not a great drain clog remover. Bleach has no effect in dissolving the common culprits of household drain clogs, like hair, food scraps and grease. Also, pouring bleach can harm the integrity of your drains and pipes.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide to unclog a drain?

Using Hydrogen Peroxide on a Clogged Drain

You can try pouring some down the drain directly, but for more effective drain clearing, follow these steps: Sprinkle about one cup of baking soda down the clogged drain and wait for 10 minutes. Pour one cup of hydrogen peroxide down the drain and wait for the foaming to stop.

How do you clear a slow drain?

How to Unclog a Drain Naturally
  1. Pour boiling water down the drain.
  2. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain.
  3. Pour ½ cup of vinegar down the drain.
  4. Wait 10 minutes.
  5. Pour boiling water down the drain again.
  6. Turn on the hot water faucet to clear out the solution.

Can I pour boiling water down the drain?

Pouring boiling water is quite risky as it might lead to a steam burn or scalding. Another thing to keep in mind is what type of material you are pouring in into. If you have a porcelain sink, it is likely to crack due to the heat. All in all, pouring boiling water down your drain will only cause issues down the road.

Why do people pour bleach down drains?

But pouring bleach down the drain isn't just bad for your health; it can also wreak havoc on your plumbing. While it's excellent at sterilizing and removing odors, it won't help you unclog your drains. Graydon Faulstick Plumbing explains that the wrong bleach concoction can worsen existing clogs.

Why do all my drains smell like sewage?

If the P-trap isn't working properly, sewer gasses can make their way into the bathroom and cause your sink to stink. Your sink should also have a vent that gives backflowing gases somewhere to go. If the sewer smell in your sink is caused by a blocked air vent, you may need professional assistance.

Can you unclog a drain with Clorox?

Nope, that is not one of bleach's uses. Although you can use 1/5 to 3/4 of a cup of bleach to clean and deodorize drains, followed by a good flushing of hot water, it will not clear a clog.

Does salt and boiling water unclog drains?

Salt & hot water

While hot water can help loosen up debris, coarse salt actually scours the inside of your pipes, removing more material than hot water alone. After removing standing water from the sink, pour about half a cup of table salt down the drain before you pour in the hot water.

Is Drano just bleach?

Drano is a household drainage cleaner made from either sodium hypochlorate (bleach), sodium hydroxide (lye), sodium chloride, sodium nitrate and aluminum. How does it work? Once poured down the drain, Drano works to create a chemical reaction to decompose organic matter causing the blockage.

Can I pour bleach down the toilet?

Can you put bleach in a toilet bowl? Yes, Clorox® Bleach is safe to add to the water in the toilet bowl.

Does bleach dissolve plastic?

Yes, it is corrosive to plastic. It does not eat up the plastic in one go (we are assuming you are using the diluted bleach or bleach water as the cleaning agent), but the damage it would create is definite.

Does hydrogen peroxide damage plumbing?

Unlike chemical drain cleaners, hydrogen peroxide won't destroy your pipes and drains. It is safe for regular use so you can do a hydrogen peroxide flush once every few weeks to keep your drains and pipes in good shape. However, for more complicated issues, it is always better to call your plumber.

Does baking soda unclog drains?

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a kitchen staple that can work wonders to clean clothes, appliances, and even drains that are smelly or clogged. A naturally occurring mineral compound, baking soda can dissolve mineral deposits and organic materials such as grease.

What acid is used for pipe blockage?

Hydrochloric acid is highly effective and can quickly clear even the toughest clogs. However, it is important to exercise caution when working with this acid as it can be dangerous if not handled properly. Always wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and a mask when working with hydrochloric acid.

Is baking soda used to unclog drains?

If your drain is clogged, clean it by pouring a pan of boiling water down the drain. Follow the water with 1 cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar. You'll probably see some bubbles as the chemical reaction works its magic and opens your drain.

Previous article
Is sealing a patio a good idea?
Next article
Is it better to leave your lawn long or short for winter?