Clogged Drain? Cheap Green Drain Cleaners You Can Make Yourself

I think one of the most sincere forms of flattery in these days of blogs, discussion forums and DIY panels is to be recognized for some of your work and to have that work passed on in another format. This happened to me this week when I was contacted by the webmaster from ARMCHAIRDIY.COM notifying me that he was reprinting my recent blog on the proper installation of a new wax ring. As I have mentioned before, I read and contribute, daily, to some 30+ discussion forums on a daily basis as well as writing my blog 3 times a week and somehow this slick and beautifully laid out site had escaped me so as of today make that 31 that I will be monitoring, Although I love his site name, and would have borrowed some version of it for myself except that I spend most of my day (because of my disability) in one of those electric lift reclining chairs instead of a comfortable armchair and “electric reclining lift chair DIY” just doesn’t have the same ring to it!
The first thing I noticed when I started reading this new site was he had published a great blog that fits perfectly into my others for this week about “green” solutions for household problems.
http://armchairdiy.com/http:/armchairdiy.com/97/diy/oh-no-is-it-draining-slow
So I will now return the favor to him and bring this article to your attention with full credit to armchairdiy.com for its content and my thanks for its use.

“The sink or tub is draining slow and you have a pit in your stomach.”“
Here are four options you can try before running to the store to buy some nasty poisonous drain cleaner. They are cheap safe alternatives to caustic cleaners or plumbers. In their defense, plumbers are generally are not really very caustic.
Let Us tell you how to do it yourself and once again save you some money in the process.
Option #1
Boiling water can also be used to clear drains that are clogged by soap and hair.
Option#2
Vinegar and baking soda
Pouring baking soda followed by vinegar down a drain can be used to unclog drains. Baking soda is alkaline, and vinegar is acidic. When the two reactants interact they create mostly inactive material, salts and water, and the amount of reactants (vinegar) will determine the output pH of the reaction. This is more effective as a way to evenly coat the pipes in which will most likely be an acidic reaction. This method is more ecologically friendly, but not as effective as using harmful chemicals such as sulfuric acid or a strong alkaline.
Option #3
Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup of hot vinegar. Try heating the vinegar in the microwave before adding it to the drain. Wait 5 minutes before flushing the drain with 2 quarts of hot water. You can repeat this process a few times if it is necessary. If this is the first time you have cleaned your drain in a long time it may be necessary to repeat the baking soda flush a couple of times.
Option #4
Try pouring 1 Cup of baking soda and 1/2 Cup of salt down the drain. Let this mixture sit in the drain for several hours, overnight is best, before flushing the drain with 2 cups of boiling water.
Use baking soda that has been used in the refrigerator or freezer to help clean the drains and you’ll extend the use of something you otherwise would have just thrown away.
Try putting baking soda down the drain without rinsing when you are going on vacation or even just a weekend trip. It will help reduce odors that may develop while you are gone. Flush the baking soda out of the drain with hot water or hot vinegar followed by hot water when you return.
Benefits of using Baking Soda in your Drains
A Safe green alternative that you can do your self. Using Baking Soda to clean your drains eliminates harsh chemicals that may leave odors and residue in your sinks.
All of the listed combinations are environmentally friendly, which will help concerns about chemical contamination, or even the risk associated with having chemicals in a home with children.
The best way to keep drains clean and clog-free is by taking preventive measures. At least once a month, pour a half cup of baking soda down drains and then flush with cold water. And, at the first sign of slow-draining water, try using a plunger to dislodge debris in the pipe and do so in a timely fashion."

I hope you found this blog to be useful and that you will take a few minutes to review this entire high quality site.