List of Drain Cleaning Chemicals

Commercial drain-cleaning products use harsh chemicals to eat through the source of your clog. These chemicals can cause damage to your plumbing if you use them too often, or do not follow the directions supplied by the manufacturer. When working with these products, you should always protect yourself from these harmful chemicals by wearing protective eyewear, a respiratory mask and rubber gloves.

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide is often commonly referred to as lye and is used in many commercial drain-cleaning products. This is an extremely dangerous and powerful chemical that has the ability to eat through skin if accidentally splashed onto the surface of your skin. This chemical is usually combined with water and chlorine to form sodium hydrochloride, which is the most popular choice for chemical drain cleaners.

Sulphuric Acid

Sulphuric acid is a colorless and odorless acid that can be found in most drain cleaners due to its corrosive properties. This chemical aids in the removal of stubborn drain clogs by eating through the debris that is causing the blockage in your drain pipe.

Potassium Hydroxide

This strong chemical is similar to sodium hydroxide. It is just as powerful and just as dangerous to humans, so take caution when using drain cleaners that contain this harsh chemical. This chemical is more expensive than sodium hydroxide and is not used as often due to the price.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

If you are looking for a drain cleaning-alternative that does not use harsh chemicals to remove the clog in your drainage pipe, you may want to consider trying vinegar and baking soda. These two natural ingredients, when combined together, create a chemical combustion that is strong enough to clear most drains without the use of harsh chemicals found in most commercial drain products.