Green Solutions For Clogged Drains

Hair, large globs of toothpaste, the occasional bobby pin, food remnants, soap scum, harsh cleaners – these are all things that end up in our drains on a weekly and even daily basis.

These elements can cause our bathroom and kitchen sinks to become clogged, leaving us with a bubbling, watery mess. Before you run out to get one of those as-seen-on-TV plumbing solutions that un-clog drains in a matter of seconds, try these green options! Your drain may be clogged, but that doesn’t mean you have to clog the environment while trying to fix it.

• Avoid harsh chemicals:
  These types of drain cleaners are some of the more toxic household cleaning supplies on the market. Certain chemical drain cleaners contain sodium hydroxide – a combination of lye and caustic soda – that is a major respiratory irritant, responsible for nasal ulcers and chronic skin conditions like rashes and hives. The next time you’re at the store look for green, eco-friendly alternatives to these chemically enhanced drain cleaners.

• Tackle the problem yourself:
  Put on a pair of environmentally-friendly cleaning gloves and stick your fingers down the drain as far as they can go. This is probably not the most fun way to spend your time but you may be able to pull out the blockage yourself. A stray strawberry, a hair elastic, whatever is causing the clog in your drain may be easily removed with your own hands. If you cannot reach the problem, a plumber’s snake is an object made especially for un-clogging drains. You can pick one up at your local hardware store.

• Make your own cleaner:
  Using household items you can make a de-clogging solution in a matter of minutes. Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda down your drain, pour ½ cup of vinegar down after it then let it fizz for about eight minutes. Finally, chase the vinegar and baking soda with a cup of boiling water. You can even use this homemade cleaner as a precautionary measure to keep your drains working smoothly.

• Use a screen:
  Purchase a small cover or screen to place over your drains. These screens will catch any debris that is trying to make its way down the drain to clog it. If you have extra pieces of rubber lying around the house, you can make your own screen by sizing it to cover your drain then puncturing tiny holes in it to let water escape.

• Call a green plumber:
  If you’ve tried everything and your drain still remains clogged, a green plumber can fix it in no time! Contacting Green City Plumber will ensure that your drain will be unclogged without harming the environment and with a smile.