It is called Epsom salt because it was discovered in the town of Epsom in Surrey, England. It has been used for many years for its detoxification and healing properties, as it helps with inflammation and pain relief. However, because of its chemical composition, it has also been found effective for unclogging drains.
A lot of folks know the baking soda and vinegar trick. Simply pour some hot water down your clogged drain and follow it up with equal parts baking soda and vinegar (baking soda first), cover the drain with a plug if you have one, let it sit for 20-30 minutes, then follow it up with more hot water to clear the clog.
#1: Use baking soda and vinegar
Let it sit for an hour or more (or overnight if you suspect the blockage is really bad) and then flush with hot water. In theory, the blockage should be gone but repeat the process if you experience further problems.
Epsom salt isn't something that everyone has on hand, but if you do have it lying around, it can work in a pinch. When poured into a bowl, it creates a fizzy chemical reaction that can help unclog and clear drains. Give it about 15 minutes to do its thing before you attempt to flush again.
Though Epsom salts usually dissolve in water, partially dissolved salt chunks can clog your drain when they catch on hair and other debris.
Epsom salt. Perhaps you use it for its soothing qualities in the bath, but Epsom salt hides some toilet-unclogging wizardry. While it's great for soothing sore muscles, the granules are also great for breaking down and dissolving the sort of gunk that backs up toilets – and it will smell great once you're done, too!
For this home remedy, all you need to do is pour a pot of boiling water down the bathtub drain. Then pour a mixture of one cup baking soda and one cup vinegar into the drain. Insert the drain plug, or close the filter, and wait 5–10 minutes. Finally, flush the drain with another pot of boiling water.
The basic idea behind using salt to unclog drain is the salt's inherent properties. Salt can dislodge and dissolve blockages within the pipes when mixed with hot water. Additionally, the rough texture of salt can work as a natural abrasive against the buildup of grease and other gunk that commonly causes clogs.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
Instead of creating a volcano, this vinegar and baking soda mixture will work together to loosen up the clog in almost no time. We suggest wearing rubber gloves for this. As this method creates a pretty chemical reaction, it is recommended that you use it in a toilet bowl that is not too full.
The main benefit of drinking Epsom salt is as a laxative to treat constipation. While oral consumption of Epsom salt is generally safe in very small doses, there is no credible evidence that consuming it has any detoxifying effects. Anyone considering drinking Epsom salt should consult a doctor first.
Drain Snakes
Also known as plumbing augers, these versatile, budget-friendly tools are great for hard-to-reach or stubborn clogs in toilets, sinks, tubs and showers. There are several different types: Drum augers or snakes have a motor that rotates the cable.
Baking soda is abrasive, which, when used in large quantities, will cause the drain more damage. Additionally, the acidic nature of vinegar can eat away rubber and metal, damaging the plumbing. As these products break down the pipe and connectors in the plumbing in your home, it will cause more clogs over time.
Heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before seeing if it will clear more easily. If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar.
Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.
It has been used in many households as an effective declogging tool. Epsom salt effectively removes any biodegradable waste and grime in the drains causing the clog. However, be careful not to overuse Epsom salt as it could damage the gutters, especially ones made from stainless steel.
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.
Bath Salts can cause drain blockages
Well, yes – but many of them don't actually completely dissolve. In a big bath full of water you might never notice that there are still a few lumps lingering about, and they're often pulled down the plug hole as you release the water – but they don't get fully flushed out.
Pour one-half cup table salt down the drain, followed by boiling water. Or try a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar—let it bubble, wait 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try a cup of baking soda and a half-cup of salt; let it sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water.
A manual drain snake, also known as a plumber's snake or a drain auger, is a small boring tool that rotates slowly as it's physically pushed through a stubborn clog. The terminal end of the device is a corkscrew-shaped hook that is fed into a clogged drain or toilet.
Bleach Will Clean Your Drain, Not Unclog It
Bleach isn't going to unclog your drain any more than pouring a glass of water down the sink. Bleach is great for sanitizing your sink and drain and killing smelly germs; it will not break down clogs.