A clogged drain is really disturbing as the water won’t flow well. This will cause germs if left for a long time. A clogged drain is caused by the build-up of grime in the drains. This is why people have come up with many ways to clear a clogged drain.
There are many DIY methods that can be used instead of rushing to call the plumber. Some methods are not safe because of the chemical reactions that can be activated while some are safe. One of these methods is using baking soda and vinegar to clean the drains.
However, is it safe to use baking soda and vinegar to clean a drain?
Using baking soda and vinegar to clean a drain is safe because they do not cause lung infections unless you are allergic to them. Also, baking soda is sodium bicarbonate which is the base while vinegar is acid. Therefore, pouring them into the drain will cause a chemical reaction that will safely clean the particles in the drain.
Using baking soda and vinegar is safe. It is not as dangerous to use as other materials. You don’t have to wear eye protection or gloves except you are allergic to them.
Can I Clean Drain with Baking Soda and Vinegar?
Baking soda is used for many things like baking, cleaning, and absorbing odor in the home. It can be used with hot water or cold water. Vinegar on the other hand is also used for food preparation and as a cleaning agent. It is used to clean surfaces but it is diluted with water to prevent it from damaging the surface.
Apart from this, baking soda and vinegar can also be used to clean drains or even clear clogs in drains. Calling a plumber to fix every drain clog will cost you money. To save more money you can clean the drain with baking soda and vinegar.
This method is even cheap because these two ingredients are always in the home. So just pick them and clear your drain. It also doesn’t take time to unclog unless the clog is severe and will need the attention of a plumber.
But if it’s just for cleaning the drain, use baking soda and vinegar regularly to clean the drains. Clearing drains with baking soda and vinegar in itself doesn’t remove clogs the way scientific experiment in school has portrayed it.
Baking soda and vinegar are effective in closed containers. It releases carbon dioxide and water. But the drains are filled with gas and the air in them escapes so this mixture won’t work without the use of hot water.
Is it Safe to Use Baking Soda and Vinegar to Clean Drain?
It is safe to use baking soda and vinegar to clean a drain because baking soda won’t burn your skin neither will it affect your face if it touches it. But vinegar can burn your skin in its undiluted state.
Although you need to be cautious when doing it, you don’t have to wear eye protection or gloves. It is safer than other products like bleach which not only can affect you, but also affect your PVC. You just have to be careful not to use homemade products with toilet or drain cleaners. Check out: What to do if you put Drano in the toilet.
This mixture can cause a toxic reaction that can be harmful to your health. Always wash down the first one with water before using the other one. It is advisable you use hot water. And while pouring the hot water, be careful it doesn’t splash on your skin so you won’t burn your skin. Asides from the hot water, it is safe.
How Long Do You Leave Baking Soda and Vinegar in Your Drain?
After sprinkling the baking soda and pouring vinegar in your drain, leave it for 5 to 10 minutes. Cover the drain with its plug then pours hot water down the drain. The drain will be clear after that except the clog is beyond what a DIY can solve.
You can also decide to leave the mixture overnight. But it will still clean the drain the same way unless you do it multiple times.
How to Clean a Drain with Baking Soda and Vinegar?
Firstly you need baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water to use this method. Remove bigger particles from the drain or you can use the drain plunger first.
Step One
Boil water and pour it first into the drain. The hot water will help to melt the grease even before pouring the baking soda and vinegar.
Step Two
Pour 1/2 or 1 cup of baking soda in the drain first, then pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain. Replace the plug on the drain. The mixture will foam and bubble and the pressure on the grime will cause it to break thereby cleaning the drain.
Step Three
After this, pour hot water down the drain so that the residue will be washed away. If the drain doesn’t clear, try the method again. And if the clog remains even after many tries, contact the plumber.
You’ll be making a mistake if you don’t use hot water with baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda and vinegar don’t unclog drains in themselves. You can experiment by dissolving butter(this will stand for grease) with it. You’ll see that the butter won’t melt unless you add hot water.
Another method is by adding table salt to the baking soda before use.
Step One
Mix 1/4 cup of table salt to the 1/2 or 1 cup of baking soda. Pour hot water down the drain to loosen the grease in it before pouring down the baking soda.
Step Two
Pour the vinegar into the drain as well. Cover the drain with the plug or duct tape so that the chemical reaction will settle in the drain well. Then pour hot water afterward. The drain would be cleared.
Does Baking Soda and Vinegar Damage PVC Pipes?
Unlike bleach, baking soda and vinegar do not damage the PVC pipes. It will only clean the drain. It doesn’t cause any chemical reaction that can melt the pipes. But the hot water used might damage the pipe if it is not made to withstand that kind of heat. So before you pour your hot water, be sure your pipes are strong enough.
Can You Leave Baking Soda and Vinegar in the Drain Overnight?
Even though baking soda and vinegar work within ten minutes, you can still leave them overnight. It won’t damage the drains. But leaving it overnight doesn’t make it work more effectively than if it is left for ten minutes. Baking soda and vinegar work immediately to break the grime in the drain.
If the baking soda and vinegar do not work at first, you can try it multiple times instead of leaving it in the drain overnight. Moreover, you can leave baking soda and vinegar overnight after you’ve tried other homemade drain cleaners and the drain is still not cleared.
Final Thoughts
Using baking soda and vinegar is a simple way to clean your drain. However, try not to forget the hot water. Rather than calling the plumber, try this method and you’ll see the drain clear. But if the clog doesn’t break, you have to call the plumber to detect the problem.
