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View Full Version : Best natural drain cleaner?


DreamWavez
March 15th, 2006, 12:26 PM
Has anyone used a natural brand/type drain cleaner before and had good results? I've tried vinegar and baking soda, and it doesn't really work that well. I know there are a couple of different brands, and was wondering if one was better than the other before I buy any of them. Thanks!
hollywoodveg
March 17th, 2006, 12:33 AM
One thing I tried that worked was I did the vinegar/baking soda deal and let it set for 10 minutes, then I filled my sink with water and took a plunger, and it all cleared out.
Sharon
March 27th, 2006, 04:14 PM
I've tried it with success but for very clogged drains it might take more than 1 try. I think I did it about 3 times and then zipped the clog out with a zip stick (info below).

This is how I have done it.

First I put about 1 cup of baking soda into the drain.

I follow with about 1 cup vinegar.

Let it set for several minutes or overnight and then follow with a kettle full of boiling water.

Sometimes it brings up some disgusting old hair clogs which can easily be retrieved with one of those long plastic zipper stick things (I got mine from Walmart- here's a link http://www.zipitclean.com/index.html) - it is designed with special teeth to grab the hair out, which is quite greasy and nasty - we did this in a rental so it was someone else's hair but it did the trick and all the drains flow freely now.

Another thing you could do is pour a cup or so of bleach down the drain and let it sit a while to overnight, then flush with hot water. This sanitizes and deoderizes and helps to clear out all kinds of junk.
ltlghiagrl
March 29th, 2006, 12:55 PM
sharon! thank you! i so need a zip it!!!
erineernie
March 29th, 2006, 04:00 PM
I agree the the kettle full of boiling water definately does make using baking soda and vinegar a 1000 x more successful
Joe
March 29th, 2006, 06:19 PM
I don't know if this fits your definition of "natural," but if you buy the type of commercial drain cleaner that is sold for *slow* drains (not for completely clogged drains), the ingredients are mainly enzymes. This stuff is also much safer to use than the caustic chemicals sold for blocked drains.
(Read the label to verify this.)