How to Unclog a Drain For 29 Cents

How to Unclog Your Plugged Drain Using Household Products

Have you ever had your sink clog up when there doesn’t happen to be a bottle of Drano under your sink? The last time my husband was out of town the bathroom drain got plugged up. There was no Drano in my house, I didn’t want to run to the store to buy a pricey drain treatment product. I certainly didn’t want to pay for an expensive plumber to come unclog the drain! Did I mention I had never unclogged a drain before?!
Luckily, I knew this handy trick that makes it easy for people to solve their own drain problems. The best part about it is the price! Using household products to unclog your drain is not only fast and simple, but it’s also easy on the environment and easy on your pocketbook!

How to Unclog Your Plugged Drain Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

To Clear a Plugged Drain:

1. Measure 1/2 cup of baking soda
2. Measure 1/2 cup plain white vinegar
3. Pour a little baking soda directly into the drain, followed by a little vinegar. You’ll see and hear sizzling or fizzing.
4. Wait a few seconds and repeat the process until you have used 1/2 cup of each ingredient.
5. Let drain sit filled with mixture for 20 minutes.
6. Run HOT water through the drain until the water does not back up into the sink.
7. When the water flows normally through the drain, your job is done!

To Keep Your Drains From Getting Clogged:
Once a month, use half the ingredients (1/4 each of baking soda and vinegar) and repeat the process above. Using this method will help to prevent the buildup that causes drain clogs in the first place!

How Much Does it Cost to Use This Method Instead of Store Bought Drain Products?

Using prices from Walmart, I calculated the price difference between unclogging your drain with household products and with store bought drain products. It costs this much to unclog your sink only ONE time with:

• Liquid-Plumr Pro-Strength Full Clog Destroyer Plus PipeGuard, 80 oz bottle, $6.78 (5 uses per bottle). To unclog 1 time = $1.36
• Drano Max Gel Clog Remover, 80 oz bottle, $7.12 (5 uses per bottle). To unclog 1 time = $1.42.

Using Great Value baking soda bought in a 16oz box for 67 cents, and Great Value vinegar bought in a 64oz jug for $1.92, I calculated:

• The baking soda has 4 uses (1/2 cups) at 17 cents each
• The vinegar bottle has 16 uses (1/2 cups) at 12 cents each

Our household drain remedy costs a mere 29 cents!
During my husband’s business trip, my father-in-law called to check on me. When he asked if anything was wrong, I told him that the bathroom sink had clogged but that I fixed it with baking soda and vinegar. He was impressed, and told me I deserved a merit badge!
Every homemaker should know how easy it is to maintain her home with common household products while spending as little as possible.