Ever read the warning labels on a container of store bought drain cleaner? You'll find chemicals like lye, sodium hypochlorite, sodium nitrate, sodium sulfate and more.
While these ingredients can be highly effective, they're also corrosive and can cause skin and eye irritation or damage if not handled very carefully. They can also be harmful if inhaled or ingested, so it's crucial to use these products away from young children and pets.
These common drain cleaning chemicals can also be damaging to the environment and the water supply, so it's important to use them responsibly and sparingly. Or, better yet, why not try a safer, environmentally save alternative the next time you have a minor clogged drain?
Here are several environmentally friendly methods you can use to clean and unclog your drains.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
This is a classic, natural method that works on small clogs. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Wait 15-20 minutes and then rinse with hot water.Hot Water and Dish Soap
For grease clogs in the kitchen, you can try hot water and dish soap. Pour a good squirt of dish soap down the drain, followed by a pot of boiling water. This can help loosen and dislodge grease clogs.Salt, Borax, and Vinegar
Mix 1/4 cup of salt, 1/4 cup of borax, and 1/2 cup of vinegar, and pour it down the drain. Let the mixture sit for about an hour, then rinse it away with hot water. This can help dissolve some types of clogs and prevent the growth of bacteria in your pipes.Enzyme-based Drain Cleaners
Enzyme-based drain cleaners, like Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria or Earthworm Drain Cleaner, use natural enzymes or bacteria to break down clogs. They're a safer option for your pipes and for the environment, but they might take longer to work compared to chemical cleaners.It's important to remember that even these environmentally friendly methods need to be used with care. Avoid overusing them or using them on large or persistent clogs, as this could potentially damage your pipes over time. And always remember, if a clog persists or keeps returning, it's best to call in a professional plumber. Professional drain cleaning can remove the toughest clogs and remove the residue deep inside the drain lines that can cause clogs to keep reforming.
