How to Unclog a Drain Without Harsh Chemicals

When faced with a clogged drain, many people feel that powerful chemicals are needed to clear the drain. As a result, commercial drain cleaners become the first option in many households. These products however, contain some of the most dangerous chemicals you can bring into your home. There are other, more natural approaches that can also do the trick.

• Try unclogging a drain first with an old-fashioned plunger. Often, this will clear the clog. Once the clog is clear, pour very hot water down the drain to finish off and residual gunk.


• Take a trip to your neighborhood health food store and you should find natural bacteria-based enzyme cleaners. They eat the clog away, clearing the pipe.


• Make a drain-clearing solution by pouring 1 cup each of baking soda, table salt and distilled white vinegar down the clogged drain. Let it sit in your drain for 10 minutes. Pour boiling water slowly down your drain. The boiling water washes away the residual grime.


• Use a wrench and while getting under the sink, loosen the pea trap (elbow shaped pipe under the sink). Place a bucket under the pipe before you loosen it.  Any clog or gunk will either fall out or be visible for you to manually clear.

Once you have the drain running clear, a little extra care can keep it that way.

• Periodically, pour 1 cup lemon juice into your drain and leave it there. The lemon juice deodorizes residual odors caused and helps wash away remaining grease or soap scum.


• Run very hot water down the drain for about thirty seconds once a week to help prevent slow drains and clogging.


• Periodically pour a tablespoon of salt, followed by a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain. Let it to sit for about an hour then flush with hot water.


• Alternatively, you can use a half-cup of baking soda and a half-cup of distilled white vinegar.