Have you ever read the ingredients in a commercial drain cleaner? It's a pretty caustic collection of chemicals - lye, acids or bleach, depending on the kind of cleaner you buy. There's no question that chemical drain cleaners get the job done but has the potential to damage your pipes.

There are greener, all-natural and often less expensive options. Give these do-it-yourself natural drain cleaners a try before taking the more drastic route. You may be able to get your pipes flowing again without resorting to caustic and unnecessary chemicals.

All-natural DIY drain cleaner ingredients

  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Salt

Directions

For a minor drain clog, heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before trying the faucet on the fixture again.

If you need a stronger drain cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar. The two ingredients will create a chemical reaction that's excellent at cleaning out clogs. Wait 15 minutes, then pour in very hot water to clear out the residual clogging agent and cleaner.

Natural drain cleaners work best when used routinely. If you really don't like the smell of vinegar, try using lemon juice instead. The acidity has a similar effect, with a fresh, lingering scent. Think of it as maintenance for your drain and another way to keep your home smelling great.

Caution: Don't put vinegar down your drain after already trying a commercial-grade drain cleaner. Mixed together, they could create noxious fumes that are hazardous to your health.

Other DIY bathroom cleaners

Like the all-natural drain cleaner, you mixed in your very own home? It's not the only green cleaner you can mix up. Baking soda and water mixed in a spray bottle is a great all-purpose cleaner. Use 1/4 cup of baking soda for every 1/2 gallon of water. If you want to improve the scent of your new solution, just squeeze in some lemon juice. This will keep your bathroom clean and smelling fresh.

Want to clean up your bathroom mirror before having guests over? Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1/2 gallon of water in a spray bottle, mist your mirror and then scrub at the glass with newspaper. Paper towels are notorious for streaking, but the newspaper will leave your mirror shining.

Using these DIY cleaning recipes, your bathroom will be in great, green shape in no time. Just remember to keep your plumber’s phone number handy in case the clog is more than you can handle. A little help is much better than a flooded bathroom.

You can call local Benjamin Franklin® 24/7 for help with a stubborn clog or any other plumbing issues. We'll be there when you need us. Contact us today at (800) 259-7705!