Cleaning slow drains with safe cleaners?

Msg8120498
by Msg8120498
Bathroom sink drains very slowly -- what SAFE cleaner should I use?
  18 answers
  • Joan M. Midgette Joan M. Midgette on Jul 22, 2016
    Pour about a cup of baking soda in the drain, then about a cup of vinegar (white, or whatever you have). You'll get the volcano eruption effect! Leave it for an hour or two, or overnight. Then flush the drain with very hot water for a few minutes. Have had this work for me many times. Completely safe!! Good luck!
  • Have you popped the p-trap yet & cleaned that? What is causing the clog - hair, shaving cream or... Is there anything else draining slow - clogged vent, improper plumbing could be the cause
  • William William on Jul 22, 2016
    I agree with Joan! I have done this for slow drains. Now I do it once a month so the drains don't slow down and it keeps them fresh.
  • Vicki Prullage Murray Vicki Prullage Murray on Jul 22, 2016
    Joan had the answer I've used myself...I do my drains twice a year to keep them running smoothly...I use my tea kettle for my hot water...Good luck!
  • Pat8265634 Pat8265634 on Jul 22, 2016
    I absolutely agree with the baking soda and vinegar. Do it often to make drains smell good and keep them clear and running smoothly. I do it every couple of months!
  • Sunny C Sunny C on Jul 22, 2016
    Joan has the Answer!! I also add a bit of plain salt to the mix, as it makes it foam more, and also it seems to run through faster. Hope that this Helps you!! Take Care
  • Tina Tina on Jul 22, 2016
    You might think I'm crazy, but I use toilet bowl cleaner. When I squirt it around the inside of the toilet and squirt about 2 tablespoons down the sink and let it set while I'm cleaning the rest of the bathroom. When I'm done I run hot, hot water down the sink to rinse it all out. But first you have to take the stopper out before you start this, anyway run your hot water down the sink for about 2 or 3 minutes and your sink will drain fine. AND it will smell fresh and clean. Toothpaste and shaving gel and two of the worst things to stop up a sink trap along with hair and toilet cleaner seems to just eat them away without harming your pipes. I talked to my plumber who said that what I was doing was perfectly safe for my PVC pipes and was a brilliant idea and he was going to use it at his house! Hope this helps, I know it's not soda and vinegar, but it sure works fast and smells great.
  • Audrey Audrey on Jul 22, 2016
    If your drain is very slow, you may need to rig up a hook from a wire clothes hanger & stick it down the drain. Once it is in the drain as far as you can go, turn/twist the wire then slowly pull up. Twisting will grab the hair and any other surprises that may have gone down the drain. After you are certain you have cleared all the debris that you can snag with your hook, then try the vinegar/baking soda method. If that doesn't work, remove the p-trap - check youTube for a video, if you are unfamiliar. Good luck.
  • Tan1781564 Tan1781564 on Jul 23, 2016
    Because we have a septic I plunge first just in case that's all it needs and if nec good old fashioned baking soda and vinegar
  • Al and Linda S Al and Linda S on Jul 23, 2016
    Start by boiling a kettle of hot water and pour that down the drain. That will start breaking up the soap scum and hair. May need to do that a couple of times. Agree afterwards baking soda and vinegar.
  • Poppy Poppy on Jul 23, 2016
    Or if no septic, a cup of washing soda followed by a kettle of boiling water is also very good for clearing clogs
  • Teri Wilhelm Teri Wilhelm on Jul 23, 2016
    I use a mixture of about 3 table spoons of baking soda and about a cup of vinegar. Pour down drain an let it sit for an hour or so. Then run your hot water a minute or so. Usually does the trick.
  • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Jul 23, 2016
    With at septic tank natural products are a must. So I use baking soda and vinegar regularly to keep everything running well.
  • Sandy Domhoff Selfridge Sandy Domhoff Selfridge on Jul 23, 2016
    Put 1/3 c. Baking soda in drain. Pour vinegar down drain. It will bubble. Let it sit there you can pour hot water to clear drain. Even worked in the toilet.
  • Beverly Campbell Beverly Campbell on Jul 23, 2016
    I set my cup of vinegar in the microwave and heat to just below boiling. Add about 1/4 cup of baking soda. Works like a charm. Good luck!
  • Angie Angie on Jul 27, 2016
    First I would try removing the stopper and checking for any blockages or hair build ups. My tub was draining incredibly slow in the house we had bought and when I removed the metal stopper I was shocked by the hair clog I found.