Boiling water one natural way to keep your drains from clogging
Sarah Finks | Contributor
Then one day it stops draining and we gasp in horror. How could this happen? Or better yet a terrible smell starts to waft up from the drain. Let's show our drains a little appreciation for all of the hard work they do and give them a little love and attention.
Monthly Drain Maintenance
Materials: Tea pot Water Pot holder Drain
Directions: 1. Fill your tea pot up with water and bring to boiling. 2. Using your pot holder, take the boiling water and slowly and carefully pour down the drain.
That's it. The hot water will break down any grease and gunk that has accumulated over the month and carry it away.
Seasonal Drain Maintenance: From the home-keeping queen herself, Martha Stewart.
Materials: Baking soda White vinegar (my favorite) Drain stopper/plug Tea pot Water Pot holder Drain
Directions: 1. If the sink has a an overflow hole plug it with a damp towel. 2. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. 3. Close the drain stopper tightly or plug drain with a damp towel. 4. Let sit for 5 minutes 5. Open the stopper and pour an entire pot of boiling water down to flush. 6. Go slowly; you don't want to burn yourself.
Remember, grease is the usual culprit when it comes to slow drains. When you pour greasy substances down the drain it is like pouring glue down your drain. Grease holds on to hair and pieces of food and then you end up with a huge greasy hairball. So no grease down the drains.
Do you have any tips for keeping your drains clear? I would love to hear them!
Sarah Finks is a local mom and blogger trying to find order amongst the chaos of 3 small boys and a wonderful husband. Feel free to e-mail me at threeboys.home@gmail.com or check out my blog at threeboys-home.blogspot.com for more household tips.
Comments
Captain Magnificent
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 11:44 p.m.
This seems like the perfect opportunity to mention my longstanding offer to snake the drains of any of Ann Arbor's lovely ladies, absolutely free. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 8:11 p.m.
all this may work fine until these concoctions hit cooler/colder pipe further down in your house. then they just resolidify...good luck and where shall i send roto-rooter to?
Chrysta Cherrie
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 4:49 p.m.
The story has been updated to correct a typo.
Sarah Finks
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 3:46 p.m.
From my experience it is the boiling water that helps with the grease. I think the bubbles from the vinegar and baking soda help to loosen the plug and maintain a clear drain. Give it a shot!
treetowncartel
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.
I have used this combo to clean drains before. they work to some degree. A little beach every once in a while is a good thing too, and sometimes you will need to snake the drain regardless.
Epengar
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.
the mild acetic acid in vinegar + baking soda combine to make sodium acetate and carbonic acid. The latter very quickly breaks down into water and carbon dioxide bubbles. I don't see how these reactions would help clean a drain. They make a fun fizz when combined, but cut grease? I'm not convinced.
Sarah Finks
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 2:44 p.m.
Just to clarify, these 2 methods are a great way to KEEP drains flowing. If you find yourself with a CLOGGED drain, check out this posts for suggestions. And yes they DO work! http://threeboys-home.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-treat-clogged-drain.html Let me know if you have any other questions! Sarah Finks