The chemical-free tools you need to clear out your clogged drains: Video
Clogged drains are a household issue we all face at some point, regardless of whether we're homeowners, renters or visitors. Whether it’s due to a paper towel down the sink or a clump of hair down the shower train, it’s all but inevitable. Many clogs are often simple enough to fix without professional assistance.
Chemical solutions to fix clogged drains are easily accessible in many stores. However, consider trying some of these easy, chemical-free alternatives first. Often, the only tool you need is a plunger or a drain snake.
Watch this video for chemical-free ways to fix a clogged drain.
How to unclog a bathtub drain full of hair
The easiest way to unclog a drain full of hair is by using an auger or a drain snake. Once you’ve removed any drain covers (if you can, not all of them are removable), carefully insert the snake into the drain. Then gently push and pull until you dislodge the clog. A pair of rubber gloves might also be handy if you don’t want to touch the goopy mess your drain has been harboring.
If you find yourself regularly needing to snake hair out of the drain, consider buying a hair trap designed to catch hair before it makes its way down the drain. They need to be cleaned regularly, but it’s a much easier cleaning job than snaking a drain.
Home remedy for clogged drain
Drain snakes aren’t just for dislodging hair. They can be used to assist in clearing all kinds of clogs. You can also find some with grabbers on the end that can come in clutch if you lose something down the drain, like a ring.
Use a wire hanger if you don’t have a drain snake. Straighten it out and curve one end to make a hook and it's ready to be deployed down the drain.
Another useful tool in the unclogging arsenal is a plunger. They’re not just for toilets, they are also useful if you need to plunge a shower drain. The suction it creates is often enough to dislodge the blockage.
If your drain isn’t clogged, but it does take its time to clear out, there’s a simple fix for that. Pour between a couple of tablespoons to a quarter cup of baking soda around the drain opening, then pour an equal amount of white vinegar. Cover the drain to keep the solution working in the drain. Let it sit in the drain for about 20 minutes, then flush it with warm water.
Shop top-rated related products:
Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
- Best-selling air quality monitor: Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor
- Affordable robot vacuum: Eufy Robovac 11S
- Popular air purifier: Powerful PuroAir HEPA Air Purifiers for Home
- Essential wool dryer balls: Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
- Helpful cleaners: Scrub Daddy Scrub Mommy Sponges
- Must-have pillow covers: AllerEase Allergy Pillow Protector
- Motion sensor lights: Night Lights Plug into Wall, Dusk to Dawn Sensor
- Portable handheld vacuum: Shark WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vac
P-Trap cleanout
If you’re experiencing a blockage in a sink drain, it can be something stuck in the p-trap. The drain, located under your sink is named for the shape it makes if you look at it sideways. It’s surprisingly simple to remove by unscrewing it and seeing what’s causing the backup.
Remove anything from the area under your sink, put on a pair of rubber gloves and place something under the drain to catch anything that might spill out. Then, gently unscrew the p-trap and see what you can find.