There are just a few things in the world that are equal parts annoying and disgusting. One of them is realizing that your drain is clogged and smelly. Before you grab a drain cleaner from the nearest store, consider using a DIY drain cleaner.

Synthetic drain cleaners contain chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, and sulphuric acid which are potentially toxic. These chemicals create fumes that can burn the skin, eyes, and respiratory system if inhaled. It is estimated that approximately 3,000 injuries yearly are attributed to drain cleaners, with one-third of them being cutaneous burns. Chemical drain cleaners can also harm your pipes in the long run.

It’s better to unclog pipes naturally because it is eco-friendly, poses no threat to your health, and you also get a bang for your buck. In this article, we’ll introduce you to five DIY drain cleaners that’ll unclog that drain in the blink of an eye.

Effective DIY Drain Cleaners You Can Make At Home

1. Lemon and Baking Soda

Lemon drain cleaners and baking soda clog removers are quite common. When paired together, they do an even better job. This mixture creates a foaming reaction that unclogs your drain in no time. They fight any grease and buildup living in your pipes. The acidity of the lemons also works to get rid of bacteria and mold, while the baking soda gets rid of any foul odors. The fact that this natural drain unclogger leaves your sinks and tubs with a beautiful citrus fragrance is a huge plus.

How to Use

1. Pour some hot water down the drain to loosen any build-up.
2. Pour ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of lemon juice down the drain.
3. Let it sit for at least an hour.
4. Slowly flush the mixture down with a pot of hot water.

2. Vinegar and Salt

A salt and vinegar mix is an excellent natural drain-unclogging hack. You could add some lemon juice to the mixture to pack an extra punch. The abrasive nature of salt helps to scrape the insides of your pipe and loosen up the debris. Vinegar in your drain cleaner, in turn, acts on the grime and grease within your pipes.

How to Use

1. Mix a cup of salt and a cup of vinegar in a small bowl until smooth.
2. Add more vinegar to the mixture if the clog is deep within the pipe. This will help the mixture travel easily. You can find out how deep it is by using a plumbing snake.
3. Pour the mixture down the drain and allow it to sit for an hour.
4. Gently pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.

3. Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano

If you’re a fan of DIY home cleaning, then you should be familiar with this epic volcano method for clogs. Baking soda is excellent for cleaning and deodorizing, while vinegar fights grease, grime, and bacteria. 

They are great on their own, but they are formidable together and cause an eruption (something you probably found out in early science experiments). A baking soda and vinegar drain cleaner is a fantastic DIY drain unclogging technique. When mixed, they produce carbon dioxide in a fizzy reaction that travels down your drain. After the fizz dies down, sodium acetate, a weak base that can’t harm your pipes, is left behind.

How to Use

1. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
2. Pour ½ cup of white vinegar down the drain as well. 
3. Plug the drain and let it sit for at least an hour.
4. Gently pour a lot of very hot (not boiling) water down the drain
5. Repeat if necessary.

4. Boiling water and Salt

This salt drain maintenance hack is simple and effective. Although the acidity of vinegar works wonders and makes the work a lot easier, a salt clog remover is efficient on its own. 

A boiling water drain cleaner can also be used alone as it melts grease and any other buildup that might be causing the clog. Salt is coarse and abrasive, so it scours the inside of your drain. When both of them are mixed, it helps prevent clogged drains naturally and helps maintain a clean and odor-free drain. 

How to Use

1. Pour ½ cup of salt down the drain
2. Slowly flush the drain with boiling water
3. Repeat as necessary

Note: Since you are using salt alone, you might have to repeat it a few times for your drain to be unclogged entirely. For every repetition, add another ½ cup of salt.

5. Citric Acid and Dish Soap

Just like vinegar, the acidic nature of citric acid is why a citric acid drain cleaner is phenomenal. It attacks grease, grime, mold, rust, soap scum, and mineral deposits. On the other hand, the components of dish soap give it a cutting-edge ability to fight grease, fat, and oils. 

Therefore, a citric acid and dish soap clog remover makes for an excellent and effective drain-unclogging solution.

How to Use

1. Pour a glass of citric acid down the drain.
2. Pour a portion of dish soap into the drain as well.
3. Let it sit for an hour.
4. Pour a portion of dish soap into a pot of boiling water.
5. Gently pour this mixture down the drain.

Conclusion

The listed natural drain cleaning solutions are eco-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective. They will get the job done while ensuring you don’t have to worry about your health and safety due to harmful chemicals. The products you need are probably already lying around your home. Grab them and get to work unclogging your pipes.