Step by Step Instructions on How to Unclog a Drain

Clogged drains are very common and are easily removed with a little time and effort without having to hire an expensive plumber to unblock the drain for you. Drains become clogged when food particles, grease and other debris become lodged in your drain pipe blocking off the pipe so that the water cannot run through. You can easily fix this problem in an environmentally friendly way in no time at all.

1. Remove any standing water that may be in your sink or bathtub depending on where your clogged drain is located. Use an empty plastic cup to bail out the water and dump it into an area that is draining properly.


2. Boil a gallon of water and leave on the stove on low heat for later use.


3. Empty three-quarters of a cup of dry baking soda into your drain. Be sure that the baking soda goes as far into the drain as possible.


4. Pour two cups of any type of vinegar that you have on hand into your drain and allow the combination of the baking soda and vinegar to work their magic. You should allow this combination to sit for 15 minutes so that the chemical reaction has time to break apart the debris that is blocking your drain.


5. Clog up the drain opening with a wet rag; apply pressure to the rag so that it is as far down into the drain as possible to form a seal from the outside air and the clogged drain.


6. Turn your water back up to high heat and bring to a rolling boiling. If some of your water has evaporated, you may want to add a little more water to the pot.


7. Remove the rag that is blocking off the drain so that the drain opening is exposed.


8. Pour the boiling water down the drain to help flush out the remaining grease or debris that could still be stuck in your drain.


9. Run the hot water for about 10 minutes if your drain is clear to help wash out any remaining grease and debris from your drainage pipes.


10. Repeat the process as many times as needed to completely clear you drain of all grease, food or debris.