How to unblock a bathtub drain naturally?

Author: Gino Kuvalis  |  Last update: Thursday, June 5, 2025

Mix equal parts of vinegar and baking soda, pour it down the drain, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then flush it with hot water. This can help break down clogs without causing damage. If the clog is severe, you may need to use a plumbing snake or call a professional plumber.

What can I pour down my bathtub drain to unclog it?

These ingredients, when used together, can also sometimes help to clear clogs. 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.

How do you unblock a badly blocked bath?

Method one: Vinegar and baking soda

Then, pour in a cup of white vinegar and let the concoction fizz up for 5-minutes. Flush with another kettle of boiling water. Run the taps to see if the blockage is clear. Use soda crystals as an alternative to baking soda.

Does vinegar and baking soda really unclog drains?

The bubbling reaction from the baking soda and vinegar helps to loosen the drain clog, and the boiling water in step 4 helps remove it from your pipes. Baking soda and vinegar can serve as a natural solution to unclog and clean a stinky drain.

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 a bathtub drain with hot water, baking soda and White Vinegar

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.

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 happens if you put too much baking soda in a drain?

What happens if you put too much baking soda down a drain? Too much baking soda put down a drain can clog it. It can harden and become a solid, cement-like mass.

How to unclog a bathtub drain full of hair?

To unclog a bathtub drain full of hair, follow these steps:
  1. Remove the drain stopper and clean out any visible hair and debris.
  2. Use a drain claw tool to grab and remove hair buildup deep in the drain.
  3. Apply a chemical or natural drain cleaner, following the instructions carefully.
  4. Plunge the drain to dislodge the clog.

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.

What is the best product to unblock a bath drain?

Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover

"It's a caustic cleaner, meaning it contains bleach and other corrosive ingredients that are especially tough on grease and soap scum," explains DiClerico. Drano's Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover works quickly too, without any elbow grease on your part.

How to unclog a bathtub drain with standing water?

First, cover the tub's overflow drain with masking tape or stuff it with a towel (to block any air from escaping). Next, push the plunger down over the drain so it creates a firm seal. Then push the plunger up and down several times while maintaining the seal.

How to make a homemade plunger?

Steps
  1. Use gloves to remove as much water and debris as possible.
  2. Fill up a large plastic bottle with hot water.
  3. Place your gloved thumb over the bottle's spout.
  4. Insert the bottle directly into your toilet bowl and remove your thumb from the opening.
  5. Use two hands to squeeze the bottle and force water pressure into the clog.

Can you use Dawn to unclog a bathtub drain?

The answer is yes! 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 is the best way to clear a slow bathtub drain?

If you're looking for an easy and chemical-free solution, you can clear a slow drain with a plunger. To clear a slow drain, you can use a cup plunger to unclog it or a similar type of drain plunger. A cup plunger can be used to clear various types of drains, whether it be in your kitchen, bathroom, or even basement.

How do you unclog a bathtub without a plumber?

Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of salt in water and pour it down the drain. Let it sit for 30-40 minutes to give it some time to work on breaking down any grease or debris. Then, pour hot water down the drain to flush it out. These methods are effective for unclogging drains and can save you time and money.

What unclogs a bath drain?

5 Tips for How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain
  • Boiling Water. Shampoo and soap can cause a gunky buildup to clog your bathtub drain. ...
  • How to Fix a Clogged Bathtub Drain with a Plunger. A plunger is one of the most popular tools to prevent bathtub clogging. ...
  • Baking Soda and Vinegar. ...
  • Manual Removal. ...
  • Try a Plumber's Snake.

How to make a drain snake?

To make a drain snake, all you need is a wire coat hanger that you can unwind and straighten. Bend the end of the wire into a hook shape and insert it into the drain. Move it around until you feel resistance and then pull out any hair or debris that may be blocking the drain.

Is baking soda and vinegar safe for drains?

Yes, baking soda and vinegar can be safely used to unclog drains. Both ingredients are natural, non-toxic substances that do not harm the environment or the pipes. Furthermore, this combination is a safer alternative to chemical drain cleaners, which can cause damage to pipes and harm aquatic life.

Is baking soda and vinegar better than drano?

Using baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain is an effective and natural cleaning method, which some people prefer over harsher chemicals. It works great for weaker drain clogs. By using this mixture periodically, you may be able to avoid clogs altogether (and the need for a more powerful cleaner like Drano).

Can you use hydrogen peroxide to unclog a drain?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is safe to use in drains. It's gentler than many commercial drain cleaners and does not cause pipe corrosion, making it a reliable choice for routine drain maintenance.

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.

What is the best hair dissolver for drains?

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 is best for unclogging a shower drain?

First, if you have metal pipes, pour boiling water down the drain. Then remove hair from the drain. If that doesn't work, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener.

How to clean bathroom pipe blockage?

When these two ingredients are combined, they create a chemical reaction that can break down and dissolve clogs.
  1. Step 1: Pour baking soda and vinegar into the toilet. ...
  2. Step 2: Leave the mixture for a few minutes. ...
  3. Step 3: Pour hot water. ...
  4. Step 4: Ensure the clog is removed. ...
  5. Step 5: Flush the toilet. ...
  6. Step 1: Prepare hot water.

Previous article
Can you microwave Chick-fil-A sandwich bags?
Next article
What is the clearance of a standard garage door?