Clearing Drains Without Resorting to Harmful Chemicals

Clogged drains can be such nasty business that it often seems as if the most caustic, industrial strength chemicals will be the only effective treatments. Unfortunately, most of the commercially available drain cleaners are composed of lye or other strong acids, which can wreak havoc on anything they touch - including skin, rubber gloves, piping, groundwater, and even outside lawns. The fumes from these chemicals, if breathed, damage the lungs, nasal passages and/ or mouth. There are alternative chemical drain treatments that are a lot gentler on human beings and the environment but often just as tough on clogs.

Some simple clogs can be addressed with two common household items: baking soda and vinegar. If you've ever owned a chemistry set, you might recall that the most elementary experiment involved mixing these two and watching the bubbling, gurgling reaction that takes place. This action can work to dislodge accumulated matter in sink pipes, too, provided that the water is not completely backed up. Use one cup of baking soda, one cup vinegar, and wash down with three cups of water. Baking soda can also be used alone with water. Boiling water changes its chemical composition so it's highly alkaline, akin to washing soda.

Washing soda is naturally very alkaline (pH of 11) but is not as caustic on pipes or skin as lye based cleaners. ¼ cup of washing soda, washed down with water, will be sufficient for many clogs.

One natural alternative to chemical drain cleaners that's become popular is the various microbial cleaners. Microbes are living bacteria that literally eat various kinds of matter that's clinging to the sides of your drains. What's more, they continue to inhabit the area and devour grime long after the first application. Drainbo is a popular and effective brand of microbial cleaner, with the highest count of living bacteria (about 90 million microbes per gallon of liquid). Be careful, when using these kinds of cleaners, not to wash them down with boiling water, as this will kill the bacteria.

Enzyme cleaners are also bacteria-based; and they work in a similar fashion, eating and breaking down organic matter. Enzyme cleaners are available at most health food stores. As with any cleaning product, follow usage instructions carefully.

Sometimes naturally treatments may have to be augmented with a little elbow grease - i.e., the good old-fashioned plunger. Plunging might be necessary at first, anyway, because a lot of treatments can't, of course, be effective when water is backed up beyond the drain. A clog that won't respond to plunging might call for a plumber's snake. These can be unwieldy, even dangerous to use, however (also unsanitary) so you might consider calling a professional if your problem is that bad.