If your sink drains slowly or smells strange, here's a cheap and way to get it flowing again without using harsh chemicals.
Time 10-30 minutes
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$5 - $10
Introduction
If your sink drains slowly or smells strange, here's a cheap and way to get it flowing again without using harsh chemicals.
If you’re a fellow science nerd, you’ll surely remember that day in class where you made a volcano using baking soda and vinegar. But what you probably didn’t realize at the time was that those chemical reactions are also handy to know about for cleaning around the house.
“Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid,” says Geno Caccia, CEO of Caccia Plumbing. “The bubbling action cause by combining them can help loosen debris, grease and grime inside the drain, which is why it is such an easy and commonly used solution.”
This is also a great method for avoiding synthetic drain cleaning and clearing chemicals, which are harsh and can cause health problems. Plus, you can get multiple cleans out of just a few dollars in materials.
Whether your drain is partly clogged or you want a preempt a funky odor, here’s how to clean a drain with baking soda and vinegar.
Tools Required
- Cup measure
- Funnel (plastic or rubber
- optional)
- Pan to boil water
- Small brush (optional)
Materials Required
- Baking soda
- Boiling water
- Lemon or lime juice (optional)
- White vinegar
Project step-by-step (5)
Step 1
Prepare the area
To clean a drain with baking soda and vinegar, first clear the sink and drain area of any water and debris.
“I will always pour boiling water into the drain before starting, to loosen any stuck material,” says Caccia. “It is also important to avoid using this method on rubber or plastic drain components, as repeated exposure to hot water could cause damage.”
Step 2
Combine the ingredients
- Boil about six cups of water.
- Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. “You can use a plastic or rubber funnel to help ensure all the baking soda gets into the drain and isn’t wasted,” says Tim Conn is CEO and founder of Image One USA.
- Pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain. You’ll notice fizzing as the reaction begins.
Step 3
Cover and wait
Let it sit between ten and 30 minutes, which will allow the baking soda and vinegar to break down buildup. “Cover the drain with a stopper or washcloth to contain the reaction, which will give you a better result,” says Conn.
This is a great time to sneak that workout in, or maybe just take a quick siesta.
Step 4
Pour In the Hot water
Carefully pour six cups of hot water down the drain. “If the drain is large enough, you can scrub it with a small brush while continuously pouring hot water down it,” says Chris Willatt, owner of Alpine Maids.
“A fun thing you can also do afterward is pour a bit of lemon or lime juice down the drain,” he says. “The acidity of the juice will kill any extra bacteria while also making your drain smell nicer.”
Precautions:
- Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin and be careful not to burn yourself with the boiling water, says Conn.
- Open a window for ventilation.
- Never combine this method with chemical drain cleaners, as it may produce harmful fumes, says Conn.
“If the clog is stubborn, repeat the process a second time, but remember that frequently using this method can harm your pipes,” he says.
Step 5
FAQ
How often should I clean my drain with baking soda and vinegar?
It depends on how much you use the drain. For bathroom drains, Willatt recommends every month or two, to prevent odor and grime buildup. For kitchen sinks, he says try to do it weekly. “Lots of food and bacteria get down there, and most people use that drain daily,” he says. “A good rule of thumb is if your drain starts to smell, it is time to clean it.”
Also, Conn cautions, “While this method is effective, I recommend not using it too frequently because it can corrode older pipes over time.”
Can baking soda clog a drain?
Probably not, because it dissolves in water and is considered safe for pipes. But theoretically, if you use too much baking soda and not enough vinegar, it’s possible to clog a drain, says Willatt. “It should be a perfect one-to-one cup ratio,” he says. “You can even use less baking soda if worried about clogging your drain.”
Can baking soda and vinegar unclog a drain?
Yes, it often works on minor clogs, but with limitations. “While baking soda and vinegar are great for routine cleaning, they may not be strong enough to clear major clogs, in which case a plunger or professional assistance might be needed,” says Caccia.
About the Experts
- Chris Willatt is the owner of Alpine Maids, a residential cleaning company with over 500 clients. He founded the company in Denver, Colorado, in 2015.
- Geno Caccia is CEO of Caccia Plumbing and Caccia Universitiy, based in San Mateo, California. He has decades of plumbing experience, including helping many homeowners maintain their drains.
- Tim Conn is CEO and founder of Image One USA, a commercial cleaning franchise that trains franchisees. He started his career in the cleaning industry at age 14, as a sole proprietor.
