How do you unclog a drain without damaging pipes?

Author: Ms. Carlee Bins  |  Last update: Monday, August 11, 2025

Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Pour half of a cup of white vinegar down the drain after it. Allow this mixture to sit for about 15 minutes (30 for really stubborn clogs). You may hear a fizzing sound, which is the chemical reaction that's breaking down the clog.

How do you clear a drain without damaging pipes?

To start, measure out one cup of baking soda and pour it directly into the affected drain. Follow this by adding an equal amount of white vinegar. As these two substances interact, they create a bubbling effect that penetrates and breaks down the gunk and grime lodged within your pipes.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

Why? Baking soda is a base while vinegar is an acid, their chemical reaction produces water with a tiny amount of salt in it, not a fat destroying drain cleaner. Plus vinegar and baking soda are not surfactants, so they do not help water carry oil and grease away the same way that detergents can.

What is the best thing to put down a clogged drain?

#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.

What will dissolve hair in a drain?

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.

How To Unclog Drain 4 Ways

Do baking soda and vinegar really dissolve hair?

Another option for dissolving hair in a drain is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This mixture will create a chemical reaction that will break down the hair.

What pulls hair out of drain?

For best results, start by squirting a little dish soap into your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Wait five minutes or so, for the chemical reaction of the vinegar and baking soda to take effect, then chase that with a cup or more of boiling water.

What do plumbers recommend for clogged drains?

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.

Does Coke help unclog drains?

Coke and Pepsi are loaded with phosphoric acid, which breaks down the buildup that can clog your drains. Phosphoric acid can even remove lime scale and other tough buildup that regular cleaners struggle with. This is an effective and refreshing home remedy if we ever saw one.

What liquid is used to unblock drains?

HG drain unblocker is a safe and extremely powerful liquid for effectively clearing blockages in just 30 minutes. Instructions for Use - Pour 300ml of HG liquid drain unblocker down the affected drain, and leave to work for approximately 30 minutes.

What is the best homemade drain cleaner?

Baking Soda + Vinegar
  • Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down drain.
  • Plug drain and let sit for one hour.
  • Then, pour a pot of boiling water down drain. Repeat if necessary.

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.

What happens if you put too much baking soda down the drain?

If you put too much baking soda down a drain onto a clog, it can sit on the clog and become a solid mass as it is subjected to more and more water. This will make the block worse and even harder to remove.

What is safe to pour down the drain to unclog it?

Add a half cup of vinegar and put something over the drain. Wait half an hour and then pour boiling water into the drain. Dish detergent: For a clogged toilet, pour a quarter cup of dish detergent into the bowl and then pour hot water over it. Use a plunger.

Does vinegar damage drain pipes?

Yes, using baking soda and vinegar to clean drains creates a chemical reaction between the two ingredients can cause damage to your pipes.

How to unblock a clogged drain deep in a pipe?

5 DIY Methods to Clear Deep Drain Clogs 🥄
  1. Boiling Water. Boiling water is a simple yet effective method for breaking down grease and flushing away trapped residue. ...
  2. Baking Soda and Vinegar. ...
  3. Plunger. ...
  4. Wire Brush or Pipe Cleaning Tool. ...
  5. Plumbing Snake or Auger.

What is the fastest way to clear a clogged drain?

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.

What is the best stuff to unblock drain?

Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe.

Does Dawn dish soap clog drains?

Dawn dish soap is a great product for unclogging and cleaning your drains because it contains chemicals that break down grease and oil. It has a unique blend of ingredients that makes it an effective cleaning agent for greasy surfaces.

What do professionals use to unblock drains?

Drain snakes also called drain rooters or augers, use a long cable with a spiral-shaped head.

What can unclog drains without damaging PVC pipes?

One of the most effective options for clearing a partially clogged sink or shower drain is to use vinegar and baking soda. You will want to pour around a cup or two of each down the drain and then let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.

What eats hair out of a drain?

If your drain is clogged with hair, baking soda can dissolve hair in a drain. To try this safe and easy method at home – first, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then pour a cup of vinegar (white vinegar) down. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes.

Why did snaking my drain make it worse?

Drain Snaking Can Impact the Clog If Done Incorrectly

Drain snaking requires proper knowledge and skills to do it right the first time. When done incorrectly, the materials of which the clog consists can wrap around the snake and become lodged in the pipe.

Can I leave Mr. Muscle drain Gel overnight?

Using innovative drain unblocking technology, Mr Muscle's new biodegradable formula delivers the power to unclog bathroom drains in just 5 hours. Use it at night, let it work its magic and wake up to freely flowing drains.

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