Homemade Non-Toxic Drain Cleaners and Openers
Reduce Harmful Chemicals and Pollutants with Common Pantry Items
Dec 14, 2008
Store-bought drain cleaners pose serious health risks, including releasing harmful gasses into the air. According to Dr. George Grant, toxicologist and founder of the International Academy of Wellness, “Houses today are so energy efficient that "outgassing" of chemicals has no where to go, so it builds up inside the home.” Fortunately we can easily reduce these chemicals by making cleaners with items commonly found around the house.
Some ingredients recommended are safer, but not non-toxic. They have been identified with an asterisk(*). Never mix home chemicals together without a recipe. Combining bleach with ammonia, commercial toilet cleaners, or acids such as vinegar can produce dangerous fumes. These recipes come from Michigan State University Extension, Readers Digest Practical Problem Solver (1991), and grandmothers everywhere.
Prevention
To avoid clogging drains, use a drain strainer to trap food particles and hair; collect grease in cans rather than pouring it down the drain; pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain weekly to melt fat that may be building up in the drain; or weekly put some vinegar and baking soda down your drain to break down fat and keep your drain smelling fresh.
Plunger.
The classic drain opener is the plunger. This inexpensive tool will usually break up the clog and allow it to go down the drain. It may take more than a few attempts to unclog the drain. Do not use this method after any commercial drain opener has been used or is still present in the standing water.
Drain Cleaner
Pour approximately one cup of dishwashing liquid that contains degreaser into the sink and follow it up with boiling water. Dishwashing liquid that contains degreaser is made to break up grease and food particles. When combined with boiling water, it breaks up and melts away grease and other grime. Do this every two weeks, and slow or clogged drains will be a thing of the past.
Drain Openers
- Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the clogged drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain with a stopper or other method if possible. Let set for a few minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain to flush it. Baking soda and vinegar together can break down fatty acids into soap and glycerin, clearing the clog. Do not use this method after any commercial drain opener has been used or is still present in the standing water.
- Pour 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 6 cups boiling water. Let sit overnight and then flush with water. The hot water should help dissolve the clog and the baking soda and salt serve as an abrasive to break through the clog.
- Baking soda, vinegar, and powdered laundry detergent* is very effective at cleaning and clearing clogged or slow drains. Mix a half cup of baking soda with a half cup of powdered laundry detergent. Pour this mixture into slow drains, and slowly add a cup of white vinegar. The enzymes in the laundry detergent along with the foaming action created by the vinegar and baking soda will effectively clean drains. Allow the mixture to foam and clean for several minutes, and rinse it down with very hot water.
Using these formulas and substitutions help minimize the use of toxic substances in the home, and reduce the environmental harm caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of toxics. Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed to be 100% effective. Make sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled and out of the reach of children.
For more non-toxic solutions for the home, please go to Kitchen Cleaners, Bathroom Cleaners, and All-Purpose Cleaners.
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