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A natural way to unclog & deodorize drains and garbage disposals
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Don’t reach for the harsh drain cleaners or chemicals the next time you encounter a clog in your tub, sink, or garbage disposal—reach for a combo of white vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water instead! We’ll walk you through how to clear your drains with this all-natural solution, plus how to prevent any pesky clogs from popping up in the future.
How do you clean your drain with vinegar and baking soda?
Pour around ¼ cup (68 g) of baking soda into your clogged drain, followed by 1 ⁄ 2 c (120 mL). Cover up the drain with a cloth as the mixture fizzes, and then wait 15 minutes for the solution to attack the clog. Pour 2 US qt (1.9 L) of boiling water down the drain and test it to see if the clog is gone.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Unclogging Drains & Garbage Disposals with Vinegar
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Pour 1 ⁄ 2 c (120 mL) of white vinegar into the drain. It might help to funnel the vinegar into the drain, depending on the size of it within your sink or tub. [3] X Research source
- Alternative: Double the recipe by using ½ cup of baking soda (136 g) and 1 c (240 mL) of white vinegar. [4] X Research source
EXPERT TIPGreen Cleaning ExpertSusan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.You can also pour vinegar down the drain on its own. Pour about 1 cup of vinegar down your drain and let it sit for 30-40 minutes. Vinegar has a very high acid content (which is why it's great on soap scum) and it will break down a good bit of the organic content that is stuck.
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Cover the drain and wait 15 minutes. Chances are, the mixture will begin to foam and possibly overflow from the drain. [5] X Research source Grab a towel, drain cover, or another similar item to block off the drain as much as possible to keep the baking soda and vinegar solution in the pipe or garbage disposal. Then, give the baking soda and vinegar 15 minutes to work through the clog in your drain. [6] X Research source
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Pour 2 US qt (1.9 L) of boiling water down your drain. The boiling water helps clear away the clog, along with the leftover baking soda and vinegar. [7] X Research source
- Consider wearing mitts as you handle the hot water candle. Watch out for the steam as you pour the water down the drain, too! [8] X Research source
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Test the drain and repeat the process if the clog is still there. Turn on the tap and monitor the drain—does the water cycle away easily, or does there still seem to be a blockage? If the clog persists, repeat the process (steps 1 through 4) and see if anything improves. [9] X Research source
- What if the clog doesn’t go away? Funnel ½ cup of borax into the drain, along with 2 c (470 mL) of boiling water. If you suspect that hair is causing the clog (like in a bathtub drain), use a hair snake to get rid of it. [10] X Research source
- When should you try vinegar and baking soda? Give this remedy a try whenever your drain starts to run slower than normal and the blockage is deep enough that you can't pull it out with your hands or a short tool. [11] X Research source
Use common household items to clear drains.
"My wife's long hair always clogs our bathroom sink. I had forgotten the simple homemade drain cleaner I used to use. This article jogged my memory — vinegar, baking soda, and hot water are inexpensive and effective for clearing drains. I'm glad to have an eco-friendly solution."
- Jim M.
Dissolve clogs with vinegar and baking soda.
"I've been using baking soda and vinegar to try to clear my stubborn, clogged kitchen sink drain. Reading that this combination actively reacts with and dissolves gunk reassured me I'm on the right track with my homemade drain cleaner. A few more treatments should do the trick."
- Anthony D.
Unclog with multiple homemade solutions.
"With a completely clogged bathroom sink, I appreciated this article presenting multiple homemade drain-clearing solutions. I now have several safe, inexpensive options to try — vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, borax, and boiling water. I'm confident one will work to clear my drain."
- Jerry M.
Flush repeatedly with boiling water.
"I tried flushing my clogged tub drain with boiling water per this article. It took several kettle-fulls, but eventually, the water started draining faster. Repeatedly pouring hot water and plugging the drain helped dissolve the clog. My tub drains freely now."
- Taze B.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat should I do if the clog is longer than the size of the hanger I am using?Community AnswerYou might need to get a zip-type clog remover, sometimes called a drain snake. The zip-type snake can be just a few dollars from your local hardware store. The metal ones up to about 25 feet can range from $10 to $30 USD or so. If a 25-foot snake won't reach the clog, then you probably need to hire a professional.
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QuestionCan I use hot vinegar if I used a commercial drain cleaner several days prior?Community AnswerYes, you can, but the vinegar need not be to hot. Use it with baking soda for the best results.
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QuestionDo I mix the baking soda and vinegar in a cup before pouring it into the sink?Community AnswerNo. Pour soda down the drain, then follow with the vinegar. Flush the mixture down the drain with hot water. If you mix the basics together in a cup, it will start to foam and lose its effectiveness.
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References
- ↑ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/quality/clean-green-homemade-cleaners.aspx
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/outdoor/how-to-unclog-garbage-disposal/
- ↑ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/quality/clean-green-homemade-cleaners.aspx
- ↑ https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/how-to-unclog-a-drain/
- ↑ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/quality/clean-green-homemade-cleaners.aspx
- ↑ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/quality/clean-green-homemade-cleaners.aspx
- ↑ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/quality/clean-green-homemade-cleaners.aspx
- ↑ https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/how-to-unclog-a-drain/
- ↑ https://keeperofthehome.org/homemade-all-natural-cleaning-recipes/
- ↑ https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/quality/clean-green-homemade-cleaners.aspx
- ↑ https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2019/05/20/potato-peelings/
- ↑ https://fixit.colorado.edu/knowledge-base/drain-and-toilet-clogs
- ↑ https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/how-to-unclog-a-drain/
- ↑ https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2019/05/20/potato-peelings/
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/garbage-disposal-myths-tips-36889428
- ↑ https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/how-to-unclog-a-drain/
- ↑ https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/how-to-unclog-a-drain/
- ↑ https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/how-to-unclog-a-drain/
- ↑ https://ccetompkins.org/resources/cleaning-products-you-can-make-at-home
- ↑ https://orise.orau.gov/resources/k12/documents/lesson-plans/candle-extinguisher.pdf
- ↑ https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2019/05/20/potato-peelings/
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To clear a clogged drain with vinegar, allow all of the water to drain from the sink, then pour vinegar and baking soda, lemon juice, borax, or salt down the drain. This will create a foaming chemical reaction in your pipes that can help break up the clog. Use the tub stopper or a steaming hot cloth to cover the drain for about 30 minutes, then plunge the sink until the clog is removed. Flush the sink with hot water and repeat if necessary. For tips on creating the perfect vinegar mixture, keep reading!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,830,560 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Comprehensive and very helpful! Clogged drains are a nightmare, particularly when they're a.) clogged by hair (yak!) b.) when this hair is not yours (double yak!!) and c.) when you're not a fan of chemicals! Your remedies always work. I always refer to you when I'm in need! Simple, comprehensive, effective! Thank you from Greece!" ..." more
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"Comprehensive and very helpful! Clogged drains are a nightmare, particularly when they're a.) clogged by hair (yak!) b.) when this hair is not yours (double yak!!) and c.) when you're not a fan of chemicals! Your remedies always work. I always refer to you when I'm in need! Simple, comprehensive, effective! Thank you from Greece!"
..."
more
"With a completely clogged bathroom sink, I appreciated this article presenting multiple homemade drain-clearing solutions. I now have several safe, inexpensive options to try — vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, borax, and boiling water. I'm confident one will work to clear my drain."
..."
more
"My wife's long hair always clogs our bathroom sink. I had forgotten the simple homemade drain cleaner I used to use. This article jogged my memory — vinegar, baking soda, and hot water are inexpensive and effective for clearing drains. I'm glad to have an eco-friendly solution."
..."
more
"I've been using baking soda and vinegar to try to clear my stubborn, clogged kitchen sink drain. Reading that this combination actively reacts with and dissolves gunk reassured me I'm on the right track with my homemade drain cleaner. A few more treatments should do the trick."
..."
more
"I tried flushing my clogged tub drain with boiling water per this article. It took several kettle-fulls, but eventually, the water started draining faster. Repeatedly pouring hot water and plugging the drain helped dissolve the clog. My tub drains freely now."
..."
more
