7 Clog Cleaning Hacks

We all know the disheartening feeling that arises when the water in your shower or sink won’t drain. It seems that clogged drains present themselves at the worst times. You might be enjoying a warm shower when, all of a sudden, water is pooling at your ankles. Or, perhaps you are cooking and flip on the sink disposal, only to find that the water refuses to drain or quickly fills up the sink only minutes later. Before you let frustration take over, we’ve got 7 solutions that are sure to help clear your clogged drain quickly.

1. Alka-Seltzer and Heinz White Vinegar. To unclog a drain, drop three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain, add one cup Heinz White Vinegar, and wait fifteen minutes to allow the reaction to fizz. The bubbling action can unclog your drain by breaking down grease and allowing the clog to wash down the pipe. Then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush it. Do not put Alka-Seltzer or vinegar down the drain if you have poured any commercial drain cleaner down the drain or into any standing water.

2. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and Morton Salt. Pour one-half cup Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and one-half cup Morton Salt down the clogged drain, followed by six cups boiling water. Let sit overnight. In the morning, flush with water. The boiling hot water should dissolve the clog, allowing the abrasive baking soda and salt to burst through the stoppage.

3. Arm & Hammer Clean Shower. Pour Arm & Hammer Clean Shower down the clogged drain of a shower or sink, let sit for one hour, then flush with hot water. Arm & Hammer Clean Shower contains a natural enzyme that devours grease and food debris.

4. Cascade Gel. Drain as much water as possible from the clogged sink, pour Cascade Gel dishwasher detergent into the drain, then carefully and slowly pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. The boiling hot water softens the clog while the phosphates in the Cascade Gel devour the debris.

5. Clorox Bleach. If your home’s plumbing drains to a municipal sewage plant, pour two cups Clorox Bleach down the drain of your sinks, bathtub, and shower once a month. Let sit overnight. The bleach sitting in the trap saturates any partial clogs, softening biofilm and debris. The next day run the water for three minutes to flush the debris to the sewer. When pouring bleach down the drain of a stainless steel kitchen sink, do not let bleach drip or puddle on the stainless steel. Otherwise permanent stains in the stainless steel may result. Don’t pour bleach down the drain if you have a septic tank system; the bleach will kill the bacteria that break down waste products.

6. Coca-Cola. Once a week, pour a bottle of Coca-Cola down the kitchen drain and let sit overnight to dissolve grease buildup and prevent clogs.

7. Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. To clear a clogged kitchen drain, boil three to four tablespoons Dawn Dishwashing Liquid in a pan full of water and carefully pour the heated mixture down the drain of the kitchen sink. The solution will dissolve most kitchen sink clogs because Dawn breaks down grease.