A: I called the makers of THRIFT. INSTA-FLOW & THRIFT are identical! Same product, different packaging.
Option #1: Baking Soda and Cider Vinegar
Baking soda is actually one of the most common alternative drain cleaners! It's also very effective for routine maintenance and doesn't take long at all to prepare. For the best effect, mix a cup of baking soda with a cup of cider vinegar. Pour it down the drain with hot water.
INSTA-FLO is even great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems. INSTA-FLO's non-acid formula will not harm fine fixtures, porcelain, chrome trim, polished brass, plastic or metal pipes.
The active ingredient in Thrift, sodium hydroxide, is highly caustic and can cause burns and irritation. Users should follow safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear, avoiding contact with skin and eyes, and ensuring proper ventilation.
Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid)
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.
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.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause cancer with repeated and long-term exposure to concentrated product, especially with inhalation of mists. May cause respiratory irritation. Inhalation: Immediately remove individual to fresh air.
Both Thrift T-100 and Draino have sodium hydroxide (lye) as their main ingredients.
Most drain cleaners require 2 to 6 hours (or overnight) for results. THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. Within 60 seconds the drain is clear - even on the most difficult drain blockage.
INSTA-FLOW & THRIFT are identical! Same product, different packaging. THRIFT has been available for purchase for quite a while now.
One of the main reasons plumbers dislike liquid drain cleaners is that they can actually cause more harm than good. These products contain harsh chemicals that can corrode your pipes and cause damage 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.
Watch Thrift Drain Cleaner-Works Great for Clogged Shower Drains on Amazon Live.
The InstaFlow™ simply, safely, and effectively provides all the solutions you need to clean, degrease, sanitizeany high demand environment. Solutions from GenEon Technologies' innovative InstaFlow allow users to generate the right solution for the job every time.
THRIFT will liquefy hair and grease in less than 60 seconds! HOT water activates THRIFT's dry, odorless crystals. Within 60 seconds the drain is clear - even on the most difficult drain blockage. Thrift is also great for sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems.
Lye. We do not recommend using caustic lye (potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide) based drain openers even though they're frequently rated as “most effective.” Yes, they're great at breaking down organic matter such as hair and they even convert grease into soap!
CAUTION: CONTAINS SODIUM HYDROXIDE. Keep face away from fumes and do not allow Thrift to come in contact with skin, eyes, mucous membranes, clothing, aluminum, floors or paint, etc. NOTE: Do not use in disposals, toilet bowls or urinals. Do not mix with other chemicals or drain cleaners.
Chemical drain cleaners contain active ingredients such as sulfuric acid and lye that can corrode your pipes. This can seriously damage your plumbing system and may even cause your pipes to burst. They're designed to eat away at clogs, but they can also eat away at your pipes if you're not careful.
Nearly all chemical drain cleaners include sodium hydroxide. This active ingredient creates heat during a chemical reaction with the targeted materials. When exposure to the resulting heat lasts too long or when the heat generated by sodium hydroxide is too high, PVC pipes may also start to break down.
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.
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.