Three Helpful Tips for Drain Cleaning

Is your sink hopelessly clogged? Are you having a hard time finding anything that will remove the blockage? Is your sink giving off a foul odor? If so, then there are a few helpful tips that you should know. First, when deciding between cleaners in the store, you are always better off going with a gel. Second, if you are hesitant about using a chemical cleaner, try using baking soda and vinegar instead. Finally, for odors in your sink, bleach is a good way to solve the problem.

Getting the Right Chemical Cleaner

One thing that everyone should know when it comes to drain cleaning is that a gel is always better than a liquid. Many chemical cleaners that you can purchase at the store are liquids that are intended for getting rid of clogs. However, these are often much less effective than gel-based cleaners. This is because gel cleaners are much more viscous than liquid cleaners, and this higher viscosity means that they flow through your pipes more slowly. This gives them more time to have contact with the clog in your pipes, and, thus, they tend to more effectively remove clogs.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

If you are hesitant about using harsh chemicals for drain cleaning, then a good alternative is a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Simply pour the baking soda down your drain and allow it to settle in. Once you have done this, pour in the vinegar and quickly cover your drain. The vinegar and baking soda will react with one another and create a large amount of quickly expanding foam and gas to appear. This will help to push any clogs that you may have out of the pipes.

Use Bleach for Troublesome Odors

Finally, if you are dealing with an odor instead of a clog, then bleach is a good option for drain cleaning. Simply pour a very small amount of bleach down your sink and allow it to sit for at least fifteen minutes. This will give it time to kill or sanitize whatever it is that is causing the odor. After you have let it sit, simply flush your pipes with a fair amount of warm water to wash away the bleach smell. This should get rid of any odors that your sink is emitting. Just be careful not to mix bleach with any other household cleaners, as this can cause a dangerous chemical reaction.

In all, there are several good options that you can choose for your drain cleaning needs. Gel cleaners or a combination of baking soda and vinegar are good for removing clogs, and bleach is an extremely effective choice for getting rid of those disgusting sink odors.