Drain Cleaning Tips Using Vinegar and Baking Soda

Why so annoyed? Is the sink draining slower than rush hour traffic again?

Clogged drains slow down your space, disrupt your schedule, and ruin your mood. Who is the culprit behind this issue? It can be a lot of things, like hair combined with bathroom products, food particles that have no business going in the sink, kitchen grease that gets stuck to pipes after cooling down, or mineral buildup from hard water. Let’s not chase down the drain to see how it happened and focus on how to resolve it.

Here comes the solution you are looking for - Dr. Pooper’s tips on using vinegar and baking soda for drains that are clogged and slowed down!

How Baking Soda and Vinegar Work

It’s not a myth - you can clean drains with baking soda and vinegar, and there’s science backing the theory.

Baking soda, which we all have in our kitchens, is sodium bicarbonate, a base. Vinegar, which is also commonly found in the pantry, is made up of water and acetic acid. When these two combine, we see a fizzing action. This fizzing action is what takes down clogging in the drains.

The fizzing action we are referring to is actually molecules getting exchanged and creating carbon dioxide and water that bubbles. These bubbles are like scrub brushes that break down the clog.

There’s a dual action going on here when using vinegar and baking soda for drains. The baking soda, an alkaline, breaks down grease, hair, and organic materials. The acetic vinegar, on the other hand, dissolves soap scum and mineral deposits accumulating in the pipes over time. The baking soda vinegar drain cleaner combo targets different types of buildup at the same time and gets rid of clogging. This combination is a popular and natural cleaning solution.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Vinegar & Baking  Soda to Clear Drains

Now that we know how the action takes place, you must be wondering how to unclog drain with baking soda and vinegar.

While the process is scientific, your job will actually be quite easy and quick. First, take a note of what you will need:

• 1 cup of baking soda

• 1 cup of white vinegar

• 1 cup of boiling water

• Warm water 

• Clean cloth 

• Hot tap water for initial rinsing and final cleanup

• Optional but suggested, rubber gloves

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean drains with baking soda. Feel free to put on the gloves.

Step 1

If any hair, food particle, or such is visible, remove it. Then, take the cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Pour it slowly instead of dumping it all at once, so it can cover the entire area. Allow it to start working and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Pour the vinegar in the drain now. Again, don’t splash it all at once, and instead, pour it slowly so it can mix with the baking soda nicely. The slower the pour, the more time the two will have to react. As the two ingredients combine, you can hear the fizzing sound. It means the baking soda drain cleaner is working. 

Step 3

As the fizzing action goes on, take that cloth and plug the opening of the drain. This will prevent the bubbling action from the vinegar and baking soda drain cleaner from coming out and instead, reach deeper into the drain, breaking buildup. Let the cleaner sit in for around 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the cloth cover and carefully pour the boiling water down the drain. It will wash away all the broken-down buildup and the baking soda mixture. Now, pour warm water to further get rid of any residue. You can run the tap water for a quick cleaning.

Tips for Best Results

To see the best results when using baking soda and vinegar for drains, keep these tips in mind.

• Use Hot Water Before and After: Flush the drain with hot water first to loosen the buildup, and again after the reaction to wash everything away.

• Measure the Ingredients: Stick to a balanced amount of baking soda and vinegar so the reaction is effective but not messy.

• Pour Baking Soda and Vinegar Slowly: Pour the two slowly to control the fizzing action and ensure it reaches deeper blockages.

• Avoid Mixing With Chemical Cleaners: Don’t combine this natural method with bleach or chemical drain cleaners. It can neutralise effects or release fumes.

• Repeat Weekly for Maintenance: Regular use helps prevent odor, grease, and mild clogs from coming back.

• Use Boiling Water Carefully: Only pour boiling water into metal drains. For PVC pipes, stick to hot (not boiling) water to avoid damage.

When Baking Soda & Vinegar Won't Work to Clean Your Drains: Dr. Pooper Solutions

The vinegar baking soda drain cleaner is effective, but it may not solve the problem every time. When the baking soda and vinegar hack doesn’t work, you can try these:

• Slate and Heat: Make a mixture of 1 cup of table salt and a gallon of water. Heat it to near boiling. Now, pour the mix slowly down the drain. Let the mix sit in the drain for a few minutes. This works great for grease and cooking oil clogging the drain. The salt basically works like an abrasive, and the hot water melts the grease deposits away.

• The Wire Hanger: Find a wire coat hanger, straighten it, leaving a small hook at the end, and, as you have guessed, slide it down the drain to pull up any debris or hair clogging the drain. You need to be patient and not aggressively scratch the pipes or push the clog even deeper in the drain.

• Dr. Pooper Drain Cleaner: The easiest way to clean clogged drains and pipes is to use our Accelerator drain cleaner formula. Simply, pour a scoop of the powder into the drain, let it sit for a few minutes, and flush with warm water. It will effectively remove clogs and get rid of odor.

Safety Precautions While Using Vinegar & Baking Soda

Cleaning drain with baking soda and vinegar is a natural way to maintain your system. These safety precautions will help you get the best results without any unwanted risks.

• Ensure Proper Ventilation: When you try to unclog sink with baking soda and vinegar, work near an open window or switch on an exhaust fan to reduce discomfort from strong vinegar fumes.

• Use Protective Gear if Needed: Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, as vinegar can cause mild irritation with frequent contact.

• Protect Children and Pets: Keep all ingredients and tools out of reach, as even natural cleaners can irritate if misused.

• Flush Chemicals Before Use: If a chemical cleaner was used earlier, run plenty of water to clear the drain before switching to vinegar and baking soda for drains.

• Watch for Unusual Odors or Backflow: If you notice strong sewer smells, gurgling, or water backing up, stop cleaning and check for a deeper blockage.

Conclusion

Clogged and slowed drains are a headache, but they can happen more than you would like. Obviously, there are ways to prevent this, like not flushing garbage, grease, and cooking oil down the drain. That said, if the drains get clogged, the vinegar and baking soda for drains can be an easy fix. Make sure to follow the tips discussed to see effective results without any issues.

For more effective and faster drain unclogging, use Dr. Pooper’s drain cleaner. It is an all-natural, non-toxic, bio-accelerator formula that clears organic clogs and built-up grease in drains and pipes.

FAQs

1. Can baking soda and vinegar really unclog drains?

Yes, you can unclog drain with baking soda and vinegar. When the alkaline baking soda mixes with the acetic vinegar, carbon dioxide bubbles are produced that break down the organic buildup.

2. How often should I clean my drains with baking soda and vinegar?

You can use vinegar and baking soda for drains once a month for basic maintenance. If there is too much odor or clogging, you can use it weekly.

3. Is it safe to use baking soda and vinegar in septic systems?

Baking soda and vinegar are safe to use on a septic system. Just make sure not to use it with other chemicals, as they can release harmful fumes and can be risky.

4. Can I use this method for slow-draining sinks or showers?

Yes, you clean sink drain with baking soda and vinegar. You can use the cleaner for your showers, as well.

5. What should I do if the clog persists after using baking soda and vinegar?

If the drain is not unclogged after using baking soda and vinegar, you can try to manually unclog it using a plunger or a hanger. You can also try Dr. Pooper’s drain cleaning formula.