Dirty water fills the left basin of a double kitchen sink, while the right basin is empty and clean.

Being a homeowner comes with a lot of different challenges. From time to time, you may have to deal with a clogged or slow drain.

Before you call a plumber and spend hundreds of dollars for them to run a snack through to clear any clogs, there are a few ways you can try to remove it on your own and without harsh chemicals.

Here’s a list of common plumbing issues and how to avoid them!

Table of Contents

Dirty Pipes Can Cause Slow flow

If you experience a slow drain, you don’t have to stress and wonder how much a fix will cost.

I first tried using a plunger and a drain opener, but neither worked.

Dirty kitchen sink full of murky water and food debris. A plumbers snake is in the left basin, and a plunger is in the right basin.

Before you call your local plumber, try this green method using baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water to get things moving again.

How To Get Things Moving Again

Start by shaking 1 cup of Baking Soda onto the sink and drain area.

A dirty kitchen sink with brown residue is shown. A hand holds half a cup of white powder, likely a cleaning agent, over the sink.

Then add 1 C of vinegar.

Hand holding a clear bowl over a sink filled with murky water, food particles, and debris.

I love using natural products around the home, especially when combining several to make cleaners. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent. We even created: 50+ Uses for Vinegar – Home, office, car, garden, beauty, health, and pets

Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes to work through any gunk and junk, causing your drain to be slow.

You may notice that the mixture will turn blackish as some clog might bubble up into the sink. That’s what you see in this photo.

After allowing the vinegar and baking soda to work their magic together for 15 minutes, you will want to slowly and carefully pour 2 cups of boiling water down the drain.

A hand holds a clear glass under running water in a kitchen sink, creating soap suds.

The hot water, combined with the vinegar and baking soda, will work together to clear whatever prevents your sink from draining at an appropriate speed.

Depending on your drain’s slowness, you may need to repeat the process several times.

Drain Maintenance

A bottle of distilled white vinegar and a box of baking soda are placed on a speckled countertop.

After mixing baking soda, vinegar, and hot water, you should notice water move down the drain at an appropriate and desired speed.

I use this method a few times a year in our bathroom sinks to keep the water flowing down the pipes.

How To Open A Clogged Drain Using Baking Soda

Best Way To Clear A Slow Drain; Adding Baking Soada To Sink

Clearing Slow Drain

Learn effective DIY methods to clear a slow drain without harsh chemicals. Save money and avoid calling a plumber with these practical tips!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 17

Equipment

Slow Draining Sink

Ingredients

1 Cup Baking Soda
1 Cup Vinegar
1-2 Cup Boiling Water

Instructions

After water has cleared from a slow drain add 1 C Baking Soda get as much baking soda down and around the drain as you can
Add 1 C vinegar
Allow mixture to work for 15 minutes
Add 1-2 Cups boiling water
Allow mixture to clear the slow moving drain
repeat if necessary until drain is cleared

How to Keep Your Bathroom Drain from Clogging

Clogged bathroom drains are an inconvenience no one needs. Thankfully, you can keep your drains from clogging and functioning properly with a few simple steps.

Regularly inspect your drain for any hair or other debris blocking it. You may want to use a bent wire hanger to pull out any debris stuck in the drain. It’s also helpful to use a plunger occasionally to get rid of any clogs that have formed due to debris build-up.
Frequently pour vinegar and baking soda down the drain, as this can help dissolve clogs and prevent them from forming in the first place.
Invest in a mesh strainer for your sink, which can help prevent large pieces of food particles and other debris from entering the drain and causing blockages.
Use hot water regularly when washing dishes or running the shower, as this can help flush out any grease or soap residue, which could cause clogs if allowed to accumulate over time.
Never pour thick liquids like cooking oil down the drain, as this will congeal within pipes and cause blockages that are difficult to remove without professional plumbing services.

Keep Drains Flowing Smoothly

A stainless steel double kitchen sink with water spots and signs of rust and grime buildup around the drain.

Maintaining clear drains doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. Simple, eco-friendly solutions like baking soda and vinegar can solve most slow drain issues.

Regular maintenance prevents clogs and ensures water flows properly. Use hot water, strainers, and occasional inspections to keep buildup at bay.

A little effort goes a long way in avoiding costly plumbing repairs.

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