People often refer to vinegar as soon as a clogging problem occurs in their drains; ever wondered why? It wouldn’t be a surprise to say that almost everyone would have used it at least once in their lives to unclog the pipes. With all those 5-minute hacks revolving around social media, it is no doubt that vinegar actually does a great job when poured down a drain, plus it’s entirely safe for use.

So, is it really safe to pour vinegar down the drain? 

Due to its acidic nature, vinegar is able to cause the organic obstruction to vanish by simply disintegrating and dissolving them. Moreover, any bad odour or bacteria that might exist inside your pipes would also be cleared out. Thanks to the antibacterial properties of vinegar.

Will Vinegar Damage the Drains? 

Vinegar, with its mild acidic properties, can never harm your drains since it does not react with any of the material that the drains are made of namely, PVC or metal. However, it is essential to note that vinegar does more wonders than any damage.

So, worry not! Vinegar will definitely act as a saviour once you start using it for your drains. 

Is it Safe to Pour Vinegar and Baking Soda Down the Drain?

Well, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda can solve a lot of your clogging issues as long as they are related to minor clogs. These two substances, when mixed together, can form a chemical reaction producing carbon dioxide gas that is enough to displace the blockages and get rid of any smelly odours. 

The reason for this is that vinegar is an acidic substance, while baking soda is a base. Their combination results in a chemical action causing bubbles and gas. 

Now that we are sure that it is safe to pour vinegar and baking soda down the drain, is it really that effective? The answer is yes, only when followed by a lot of boiling water which will create enough pressure to let out any existing residue.

Will Vinegar Clear a Slow Drain?

A slow drain can be caused by various reasons, which include a buildup of debris, hair, or hard water deposits. To say that vinegar will clear any of these could be wrong to some extent, as its effectiveness depends on the root cause of the slow drain. 

Here’s how you can use vinegar to clear a slow drain:

Take equal parts of vinegar and hot water, preferably boiling water. Then mix them together and pour them down the drain. Let it be there for about half an hour. Finish off the procedure with another batch of hot water. This will surely clear out any organic residue inside the drain. 

If it fails to clear the drain, know that the clog is caused by other non-organic materials that would require much more than just vinegar and water. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Sink Drain?

Everything needs a regular clean-up, then why forget your sink drains?

We use our kitchen sinks almost every day for different purposes, from dishes to fruits and vegetables. We wash and rinse so much of food items that it becomes a necessity to clean the drains on a regular basis. 

The best and quick way is to do it after every dishwashing session, as it takes little effort and time. For better results, go for monthly and annual cleaning. 

Monthly Cleaning 

If your drains get clogged every now and then, it’s best to have them cleaned each time they are filled up. However, the more clever option would be to clean it every month since it would only require 10-15 minutes of any day. 

So, what’s stopping you from cleaning your sink drains every month?

Annual Cleaning

A yearly professional clean-up would ensure that your drains are free from any blockages and are taken care of. Get your maintenance done by an expert, even if there seems to be nothing wrong with your drains. Who knows what could possibly be there and create a problem out of nowhere?

How Do You Dissolve Hair in a Drain?

It’s easier than you think!

Start by pouring a small amount of dish soap into the drain, then add a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Let them sit for about 5-10 minutes, and end with a cup of boiling water. 

Conclusion 

Now that you know that vinegar is not only safe to use but also a great cleaning ingredient for your drains, you can rest assured. 

The only thing to consider is that vinegar only works for non-organic build-ups and won’t work for other persistent materials that might be blocking your pipes.