Several effective methods for clearing clogs in your home plumbing using baking soda and vinegar

A clog in a pipe can completely paralyze all household work, so you need to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Of course, you can go to the store and buy an expensive pipe cleaner, but there is also a simpler and less expensive option - use improvised means that are found in every home.

Read the article below to learn how to clear clogs with baking soda and vinegar.

Will the remedies help cope with the problem?

Baking soda and vinegar can really clear up clogs. This effect is due to a special reaction that develops during their interaction. When combining soda and acid 3 substances are released:

• water;
• carbon dioxide;
• sodium acetate.

Pros and cons of use

Baking soda and vinegar, as a means to combat blockages, have their advantages and disadvantages. Obvious benefits include:

1. The substances are safe for pipes. They can be used to treat metal and plastic waste, regardless of how old the installation was.
2. Safety for human health.Baking soda and vinegar are food preservatives, so when used correctly they are not harmful to the body.
3. Quick effect. If the traffic jam is small, you can deal with it in 5-15 minutes.
4. Elimination of unpleasant odor.
5. Universal recipe. It can be used to treat sink, bathtub, kitchen sink, shower and toilet drains.
6. Affordable price. A pack of soda and a bottle of vinegar will cost 40-50 rubles. While specialized products cost at least 150 rubles.

The main disadvantage is that soda and vinegar are not able to cope with complex blockages. They help eliminate only small plugs of hair, grease and soap.

4 cleaning methods

Get rid of clogs with baking soda and vinegar can be done in several ways, each of which has different effectiveness. This is very convenient, as it allows you to choose the optimal cleaning method.

Method No. 1 - cleaning the pipe with soda and hot water. This recipe allows you to cope with simple blockages.

Procedure:

• do they fall asleep in the drain? soda packs;
• bring water to a boil in a kettle and pour it into the drain; 2-3 glasses of water (about 600 ml) are enough for one flush;
• leave the product to act for 15 minutes;
• Rinse the drain with plenty of hot water.

If necessary, the procedure must be repeated.

Method number 2 is a combination of vinegar and soda. This is an effective product that can be used to remove blockages not only from grease and soap, but also from hair.

Procedure:

1. Soda in the amount of 250 g is poured into the drain.
2. The vinegar is heated, as it is more effective when hot. To combat blockages, use acid with a concentration of 9%. Pour it into the drain hole in a volume of 250 ml.
3. Cover the drain with an old rag and leave for an hour.
4. Remove the rags and rinse the pipe with hot water.

Method number 3 – water, soda and vinegar. This method is used when a plug has formed deep in the pipe.

Procedure:

• prepare a cleaning solution based on soda and boiling water, you will need 3 cups of water, and 1 cup of powder;
• pour the solution into the drain hole and leave for 30 minutes;
• pour 250 ml of vinegar into the pipe;
• leave to act for 8-12 hours.

To enhance the effect, you can use a plunger.

Method No. 4 – caustic soda and hot water. Unlike food, it has a higher level of acidity, so it copes more effectively with blockages, but it must be used carefully and without vinegar.

Procedure:

1. A glass of warm water is poured into the ladle.
2. Add 100 g of caustic soda to it, bring to complete dissolution.
3. Pour the solution into the pipe and leave for 2-3 hours.
4. Rinse the drain with hot water.

How to clean the toilet?

A blockage in the toilet can form due to an excess amount of toilet paper, when personal hygiene products and even stale food get into the pipe. To cope with the problem, use baking soda and vinegar.

Features of the procedure:

• half a pack of soda is introduced into the drain;
• pour 500 ml of vinegar 9% into it;
• treat the surface of the toilet with a brush, paying special attention to the drain hole;
• lower the lid of the toilet seat and leave the mixture to act for an hour;
• Once again, go over the toilet with a brush and drain the water.

If the blockage is serious, it is recommended to wash off the mixture with hot (not boiling) water. Its maximum temperature is 50 degrees.

How to fix it in the sink?

The drain in the sink gets clogged especially often. To get rid of blockages proceed as follows:

1. The drain is plugged and the sink is filled with hot water.
2. Grate laundry soap and pour it into the water. Stir the shavings until completely dissolved.
3. Remove the plug and drain the water. Apply table vinegar to the sponge. Rub it on the walls of the sink. This method allows you to cope with dark spots and add shine to the surface. A little acid can be poured into the drain. This is done to disinfect it and get rid of the unpleasant odor.
4. You can deal with lime deposits using soda. It is used to rub the areas where dishes and other kitchen utensils are located. The powder is spread over a damp surface, left for half an hour, and the sink is treated with a brush.

The video will show you how to remove a clog in the sink with baking soda and vinegar:

Precautionary measures

Using caustic soda and acetic acid to combat blockages, The following precautions must be observed:

1. Carry out the cleaning procedure wearing a mask and goggles.
2. Ventilate the room after treatment.
3. Avoid contact of substances with skin and mucous membranes.
4. Protect your hands with gloves.
5. If soda or vinegar accidentally gets on exposed areas of the body, rinse them with plenty of warm water.
6. Do not leave products in places accessible to children.
7. After treatment, thoroughly rinse the pipes with hot water.

Prevention

Activities aimed at prevention formation of blockages in pipes:

• Dishes should go into the sink without food residues - even small crumbs can cause a plug to form over time;
• the drain hole must be protected by a grill; a mesh should be installed in the bathtub to catch hair;
• once a month, the drain is treated with soda and boiling water, using them in a ratio of 1:3;
• Do not flush personal hygiene products and food down the toilet; you need to make sure that a rag for washing the floor does not accidentally fall into the pipe.

Helpful information

Tips to help deal with a clogged pipe:

1. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, after introducing the components into the pipe, it must be closed with a stopper. This will increase the pressure and the blockage will be eliminated completely.
2. The following combinations cannot be used: “soda ash and baking soda”, “soda ash and vinegar”.
3. If the blockage is dense, before introducing vinegar into the pipe, it is heated to 45-50 degrees.
4. The longer the product remains in the pipe, the better, so it is recommended to apply the mixture at night or before leaving for work.
5. Baking soda and vinegar are used as mono products. They are not combined with other chemicals as the reaction may be unpredictable.

If you're interested in how to clear a clogged drain, sink, or toilet, check out this chapter.

Video on the topic of the article

The video will show you how to clear a clog in the bathroom using baking soda and vinegar:

Conclusion

Soda and vinegar are a great alternative to expensive store-bought products. With their help, you can cope with moderate blockages and not harm the pipes. The main thing is to follow precautions and not violate the instructions.