Emma Rinard

Emma Rinard is a world-traveler and multidisciplinary writer, who is passionate about living holistically.  She knows first hand the importance of organic products in living a healthy lifestyle and hopes to raise awareness in others by contributing to HomeOrganic.  She endeavors to write in a way that inspires others to take the reins of their own life and to thrive.

A Clogged Drain Happens to the Best of Us

We’ve all been there – running the shower to quickly get ready for a long, productive day, only to step into the shower and realize the water is pooled around our ankles instead of draining around your feet. Sometimes it may happen to our sink, clogged with food or clippings from a razor. In these moments, many people will purchase a chemical solution to pour down the drain in order to quickly unclog whatever may be jamming the pipes. The problem, however, is that these chemical solutions can be hazardous and toxic to the environment as it makes its way out of the sewers and into streams, lakes, and rivers. The toxic chemicals in the water can then be carried to wild animals and to our garden produce as it grows. Moreover, many popular liquid solutions to unclog a drain can emit fumes that are potentially harmful to inhale. Luckily, there are many natural ways that a drain can be unclogged with things that you may even have lying around your home today.

Easy, Natural Ways to Unclog that Pesky Drain

There are many natural ways to unclog a drain, some of them available for purchase at the supermarket, and many other unconventional ways that just may do the trick. Here are a few great options to try when you run into this unfortunate household issue:

1. While this option may seem unconventional, it may also solve your problem very quickly and easily. It is also the way many toilets are unclogged: a plunger. Sometimes when the bathroom sink or shower drain is clogged, plunging the drain can loosen whatever is lodged in the pipe and relieve the clog once and for all. Run the water for a bit in the sink or shower until there is enough to submerge the bottom of the plunger, angle it over the drain, and plunge as usual.
2. Using a tool called a drain snake is another way that you can quickly unclog a drain. Many drains in the shower are clogged by a buildup of hair if users of the shower are not careful with preventing hair from washing down. Many stores sell drain snakes, which are skinny, plastic tools that you stick down the drain and turn it clockwise, pushing it until you find the clogged area, and pull upwards. This will bring any debris and hair up from the pipe, and then the clog can be thrown into the trash, allowing the shower to drain properly once again. If you have a wire coat hanger, this can be unwound and made into a makeshift drain snake and used in a similar fashion. Creating a hook at the end of the hanger may make it more efficient in grabbing hold of the clog and pulling it out.
3. Lemon juice and baking soda is another solution for clogged drains. This particular solution is a great option for a clogged kitchen sink, as it will leave your kitchen smelling pleasantly lemony afterwards. Pour half of a cup of baking soda down the drain, and then follow up with half of a cup of lemon juice. Block the drain with a plug, let sit for an hour, and then pour boiling water down the drain to loosen the clog.
4. Similar to the one before, using half of a cup of baking soda and half of a cup of distilled white vinegar can also unclog the drain naturally. This option may be easier, as it is cheaper than using lemon juice. Pour the baking soda down the drain, followed by the vinegar and let it sit for one hour, then follow that with boiling water.
5. Boiling water and adding three tablespoons of dish soap to the water, mixing it together, and slowly pouring down the drain is another option for unclogging some drain clogs, such as a grease blocked drain. The hot water will turn the grease into liquid form as it heats up, and the dish soap will loosen the grease as it does on pots and pans.

These are just some of the options when seeking to implement your household items to get that drain unclogged. Many of these things are household items that are already at your disposal, making it a smart option when seeking to save money, and they are also environmentally friendly and natural, making it easy on your conscience and earth, too.

Unclogging a Drain can be Easy and Natural

Thankfully, there are just as many, if not more, natural options to do almost everything that you may need around the house. From the pillows you sleep on to laundry detergent, non toxic options are there if you seek them out. You will find many great ways to make a positive environmental impact, while also keeping your house in tip-top shape. Furthermore, the more knowledge you gain in treating your house with care, the more knowledge you may impart to friends and family later down the line. Chances are, they will also run into a clogged drain problem and need some advice on how to fix it. Your tried, true, and natural methods will come in handy to all who may ask one day. Implementing the options above are great places to start after eliminating that toxic chemical solution found in the stores from your choices.