If you’re experiencing slow-draining sinks, water backups, or strange smells coming from your drains, you’ve most likely got a clogged drain on your hands. When you hear the word clog, your first instinct may be to run to the store and purchase a chemical drain cleaner. While these cleaners may be quick and effective, they can, unfortunately, wreak havoc on your drains, garbage disposal, and pipes, causing more harm than good.
The great news is that there are plenty of other ways to clean your home’s drains. But, what’s the best way to clean drains? Below, we’ll discuss the best drain cleaning methods to get your sink or tub drains back into top shape.
Drain Snakes
What’s the best way to clean drains? Some may say a drain snake. Drain snakes include a handle on one end and a cable with a corkscrew-type spring on the other.
The snake is inserted into the drain, and when it reaches the obstruction or clog, the sharp end will snag the obstruction to remove it.
While this can be one of the best drain cleaning methods for tough clogs, not all homeowners may feel comfortable using a drain snake themselves. Instead, you may want to contact your local Syracuse, NY, plumber for a professional drain cleaning service.
Steps For Using a Drain Snake:
- Step #1: Insert the end of the snake into the drain opening. Don’t apply too much pressure to force the snake into the drain since this could cause damage to the pipe. Next, turn the handle with the coiled-up snake to uncoil the snake into the drain.
- Step #2: Keep pushing the snake down the drain until you feel pressure or resistance on the snake; this is likely where the clog or blockage is located.
- Step #3: Move the snake up and down, then back and forth. Slowly rotate the drain snake handle until you have snagged the obstruction. Carefully retract the snake to remove the clog from the drain.
- Step #4: Run warm water down the drain to ensure the clog has been removed.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
Slow drains are no match for the classic mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This DIY drain cleaner is a staple for removing pesky kitchen sink clogs in a pinch.
Pour ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of vinegar down the clogged drain. Let the mixture sit in the drain for anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. Afterward, carefully pour a pot of boiling water down the drain and repeat the process as necessary.
This mixture is best for drain maintenance and will not be strong enough to break up tough clogs.
Baking Soda & Lemon Juice
If you want to know what’s the best way to clean drains without the smell of vinegar, try this combination of baking soda and lemon juice. Pour ⅔ a cup of baking soda followed by ½ a cup of lemon juice down the drain you wish to unclog.
After letting the mixture sit for 15 minutes to an hour, flush the drain with a pot of boiling water. Be careful when pouring the water to ensure it doesn’t splash.
It may take some time to clear the debris with this method, so you may need to repeat the process a few times.
Dish Soap & Hot Water
Another classic DIY method is dish soap and hot water. Combine two liters of boiling water with a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap. Next, pour the mixture carefully down the sink and repeat as needed. The hot water will soften the clog while the dish soap breaks down grease.
This is one of the best drain cleaning methods for minor grease buildup.
Salt, Baking Soda & Cream of Tartar
When looking for the best drain cleaning methods, you may be asking, “What’s the best way to clean drains that will keep my plumbing system safe?” This combination of ingredients covers all the bases!
Cream of tartar is excellent at cleaning metals, while baking soda works wonders for breaking up clogs.
For this DIY mixture, you will need:
- ½ cup of baking soda
- ½ cup of salt
- 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
Combine these ingredients in a sealable jar and shake until combined. Next, pour half of the mixture down the drain and save the other half. Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain and let it sit for one hour. Afterward, run hot water from the faucet to rinse away the remaining solution. Repeat if necessary.
When It’s Time to Contact an Expert
There are several easy and affordable drain cleaning methods to remove bathroom sink and tub clogs. However, even the best drain cleaning methods may not be enough to fix the toughest clogs. If you have a clog that you’ve been unable to fix yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to AP Plumbing for assistance.
Our team of expert plumbers is here to help with a wide range of plumbing issues, from drain line clogs to toilet blockages. With professional cleaning methods, you can remove and prevent clogs at the same time. Contact us to schedule a drain cleaning service in Syracuse, NY, today!
