How to Unclog a Drain With Baking Soda

The drains in your home are a workhorse—but over time, they can accumulate food waste, oil, coffee grounds, shampoo, hair, and other debris that can result in a blockage. If your sink or shower drains have a minor clog, two products will keep you from calling the plumber (and we bet you already have them): baking soda and vinegar.

These common household products can easily break down mineral deposits that build up in drains and cause clogs. It's a simple and effective method that's been long beloved by cleaning experts. Here, we explain how to use baking soda and vinegar to clean and unclog a drain and prevent future issues. 

How Often to Clean Your Drains

How often you unclog a sink or shower drain comes down to how often it backs up—but you can take preventative measures every week to reduce blockages. "If you start to notice slow drainage or clogs, this means that it's time for cleaning," says Val Oliveira, CEO of Val's Cleaning Services. "Some drains, like those in busy kitchens, may need more frequent cleaning due to the substances that go down."

Materials Needed:

Before tackling this cleaning task, collect the following materials. (Again, with any luck, you likely already have them hiding in your cupboard!)

• Baking soda
• White vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Boiling water
• Clean cloth or drain plug

How to Unclog a Drain With Baking Soda and Vinegar

Cleaning a drain with baking soda and vinegar is a highly effective way to treat minor clogs. "The combination of vinegar and baking soda triggers a chemical reaction that helps break down the clog," Oliveira explains.

1. If the drain has standing water, use a bucket to eliminate as much as possible.
2. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain.
3. Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into the drain slowly.
4. Immediately cover the drain with a clean cloth or drain plug to enhance the effectiveness of the foaming action.
5. Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit for about 30 minutes to an hour, then remove the cloth or drain plug.
6. Boil a pot of water. Pour it slowly into the drain, giving it time to move through the pipes.
7. Let water flow from the tap to see how well it drains. If the clog remains, you may need to repeat the process.

For severe or persistent clogs, you should contact a professional plumber for assistance.

Why Drains Get Clogged

There are many ways for a drain to become clogged. "Your kitchen sink works hard holding dirty dishes day after day, causing food residue to build up in the sink and the drain naturally over time,” says Bree Lemmen, kitchen brand manager for Whirlpool. "A sink gets clogged once this buildup causes a blockage, which is why it's best to include the sink in your regular cleaning routine.” 

Bathroom sink and shower drains also frequently become clogged due to hair buildup or product and soap residue, notes Oliveira. "Hair is common for drain blockages. As hair descends the drain, it can form clumps, restricting the flow of water.” 

How to Prevent Future Drain Clogs

Prevention is key when it comes to keeping your drain clog-free. Beyond regular cleaning, there are some other measures you can take to reduce blockages.

Flush With Hot Water

Pour hot water down your drains once a week. "Hot water helps dissolve and wash away grease and other debris that can accumulate in the pipes," explains Oliveira.

Install Drain Strainers

Placing drain strainers or stoppers in your sink or shower will help catch food particles, hair, and other debris that can clog drains. "Empty the collected debris from the strainers regularly to prevent buildup," says Oliveira.

Watch What You Put Down the Sink

Certain things, like grease and oil, can solidify inside your pipes and cause clogs. Dispose of those ingredients (as well as food scraps) in the trash rather than pouring them down your sink. "This helps prevent food particles from accumulating and causing drain blockages," according to Oliveira.

Use Cold Water With the Garbage Disposal

"Cold water solidifies fats and oils, allowing the disposal to chop them into smaller pieces and flush them away more effectively," says Oliveira. If you have a garbage disposal, let a steady flow of cold water run down your sink drain while you use it to prevent potential clogs.

Alternative Methods

While baking soda is a great way to flush your drain, there are plenty of other all-natural methods that will unclog the plumbing. Consider the methods below, and see here for more DIY natural home cleaners.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a great antioxidant, and it's a boon for your drains too. Since it's so acidic, the juice can remove grease and other obstructions from drains. Pour it down, then let it sit for about an hour and follow with hot water. It can be combined with baking soda, too.

Salt

What can't salt do? If you don't have baking soda on hand, this seasoning can potentially get the job done. Since it has a rough texture, pouring it down a drain can help remove built-up debris. Flush it afterward with hot water to make sure everything is cleaned out.

Cream of Tartar

Another highly acidic ingredient, cream of tartar is a great solution if your drain is too clogged for water to easily run through. It can also be combined with baking soda.