Have a drain that is running slow or plugged? Need a cheap way to unclog, uplug or clear it? Here is a frugal (practically free*) way to do it!
Use boiling water!
Photo by Indi Samarajiva
That’s right-just take our your largest pot, fill it up, bring the water to a boil & pour it down the drain. Repeat.
I find that about 3 spaghetti pots full of boiling water will clear out my bathtub drain. And as an added bonus, since you aren’t using toxic chemicals-you are doing it the green way as well!
Note: Yes, I realize that water can cost money if you aren’t on a well, and that you use electricity, which costs money, to boil the water.
Photo by Indi Samarajiva under Creative Commons Copyright
I had a major challenge with a clogged toilet last week. I did a lot of online research and read that extremely hot water in a clogged toilet can melt a wax seal somewhere, creating new problems. So I was careful to use water that was not too hot. Another tip that I read finally saved me from having to call a plumber: I used Dawn dish detergent sudsed up in moderately hot water. However, the tip said not to try this in an apartment complex. (I don’t know why.)
For the bathroom sinks we take out the stopper every few months and clean off the gunk, seemingly mostly a combo of toothpaste and shaving cream remains with some hair mixed in to complete the grossness:-(.