How long should you let vinegar sit in a drain?

Author: Dejuan Effertz  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

This can help prevent clog-causing buildup on the interior surface of pipes. Or you can pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes, followed by a rinse with two quarts of very hot water. Before putting dirty dishes, pots or pans in the dishwasher, scrape them well and rinse with cold water.

How long does it take vinegar to unclog a drain?

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into the drain slowly. Immediately cover the drain with a clean cloth or drain plug to enhance the effectiveness of the foaming action. Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, then remove the cloth or drain plug.

How long do you let vinegar sit to clean?

Simply spray a diluted vinegar solution on the surface, let it sit for at least 10 minutes, then wipe the surface with a sponge or microfiber cloth, Sansoni says.

Can you put vinegar in a drain to get rid of smell?

Pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain: Run hot tap water for several seconds, and then turn the water off. Dump one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by two cups of hot vinegar. Let the concoction fizz. After one hour, flush the drain with hot tap water.

Is it OK to pour white vinegar down the drain?

Vinegar is both safe and beneficial to pour down your drain. It acts as a natural cleaning solution and can remove blockages and harmful bacteria that cause foul odors.

How to unclog a kitchen sink using baking soda and vinegar !!

What do plumbers use to unblock drains?

Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.

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

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

What is the best thing to clean a smelly drain with?

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Tip one cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by two cups of hot vinegar. Let it fizz, then flush the drain with hot tap water after one hour. The fizzing reaction of the vinegar and baking soda together may kill odor-causing bacteria and help clean any gunk stuck in your drain.

Is vinegar smell hard to get rid of?

The smell of vinegar is caused by acetic acid, which evaporates over time but can take a while to dissipate completely. This is why, even after cleaning with vinegar, the scent may remain in the air for some time. A carpet's porous nature allows it to absorb vinegar, retaining the odor inside the fibers.

What happens if you leave vinegar for too long?

The only real side effect from leaving vinegar to its own devices is that its acidity will gradually decrease over time, making it less potent. This is why a "best by" date can be found on the bottle, but it's still perfectly fine long past that — it isn't an "expiration date," by any means. Vinegar does not expire.

What is the disadvantage of vinegar in cleaning?

Vinegar has a very low pH level which means it's very acidic, so it can corrode some surfaces over time. For example, using vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble can dull and scratch the surface and it can corrode surfaces like unsealed grout, window seals, and fridge and dishwasher gaskets.

How long to let homemade vinegar sit?

Steps 2 and 3—Making Alcohol and Acetic Acid

Stir the mixtures daily. Keep the containers away from direct sunlight and maintain the temperature at 60 to 80 degrees F. Full fermentation will take about 3 to 4 weeks. Near the end of this period, you should notice a vinegar-like smell.

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 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.

Does pouring vinegar down a drain help with smell?

Vinegar is a common household product that can be used to kill germs, mold, and bacteria. The unique properties found in this common item can also help rid your sink of unpleasant odors. Simply pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and wait for 30 minutes.

What is the best product to get rid of smelly drains?

Try using vinegar and baking soda. Pour one cup of baking soda then one cup of vinegar down an outside drain then wait 20 – 30 minutes before pouring a large amount of boiling water down the drain. External drains can get blocked with mud which can be removed manually.

Why does my sink smell like a sewer when I run water?

The smell of sewage in water is usually down to a buildup of bacteria found in your pipes, usually, a buildup of hydrogen sulfide due to your hot water heater either running at a low temperature or having been out of use for a period of time.

Does vinegar damage PVC pipes?

While harmless for most metal and PVC pipes, prolonged exposure to the acidic nature of vinegar might corrode certain metals, like copper. PVC pipes, on the other hand, can withstand these substances without damage.

Is boiling water bad for pipes?

Chemical cleaners can eat away at your pipes, and boiling water can melt important components. Over time, this damage can lead to leaks and expensive plumbing repairs.

What do you do if your drain won't unclog?

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.

What is the strongest chemical to unclog a drain?

The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.

What dissolves concrete in a drain?

Use Croc Crete to Remove Hardened Cement

This is the best method of removing hardened concrete from a drainage system. Croc Crete is a cement softener that attacks concrete at its core. It transforms cement back to its liquid form, allowing you to work it through the drain.

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