Few things are more annoying than showering in ankle-deep, soapy water because of a slow drain. When this happens, some people reach for a drain snake while others reach for a phone to call for help. But before you shell out hundreds for a plumber to fix the issue, this one easy hack can help…
What You’ll Need
All you’ll need are a few basic ingredients: baking soda, distilled white vinegar, boiling water, a clean rag, and a bucket. If you don’t have any of these on hand, don’t worry — they should be readily available at your local convenience store or supermarket.
How It Works
While variations of this hack can be used to unclog toilets, the steps outlined below pertain specifically to sink, bathtub, and shower drains.
Before doing anything else, scoop out any standing water with a sturdy plastic cup, and collect it in a bucket to pour it down a separate working drain. (Or set it aside and wait until the clog has cleared.)
Next, pour ½ cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by an equal amount of distilled white vinegar. (Add the vinegar very slowly to prevent the chemical reaction from causing a messy overflow.)
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Use a drain plug or stuff the opening with a rag to quickly contain the mixture. The carbon dioxide gas produced will create pressure inside the drainpipe, helping to dislodge or break down the clog. The foam itself also aids in loosening debris without damaging the pipes.
Let the mixture sit for roughly 30 to 60 minutes. As you approach the end of the waiting period, boil a pot of water. Once it’s boiling, remove the cloth or drain plug and slowly pour the hot water directly down the drain. This should flush out any loosened gunk, clearing the drain so it works properly again. To test if the clog is gone, simply run some water — you should hopefully notice at least a slight improvement. If the water is still draining slowly, repeat this process until the clog is fully cleared.
