What is the best way to clean your drains?
Let’s talk about keeping your drains clean. We know, we know; it’s not the most exciting topic. But trust us, it’s just necessary if you want to avoid nasty smells and even nastier bacteria in your home. Plus, who wants to deal with a clogged, stinky drain?
The Best Way to Clean Your Drains – Step by Step
So, let’s break it down. First things first: how do you clean your drains? Well, it’s all about tackling those common culprits like hair, soap scum, food bits, and grease. These little troublemakers can build up over time, and before you know it, boom! You’ve got a clog on your hands.
Step 1: Remove Drain Clogs
Now, if you’ve already got a clog, don’t panic! An old-school plunger is often all you need. First, make sure you’ve got enough water to cover the plunger’s rubber cup. Then, push and pull like your life depends on it! If you’ve got a double sink, remember to block one drain while you’re plunging the other. It’s all about the pressure.
For clogs near the surface, you can use a barbed plastic cleaning tool like Zip-It; it’s like a long plastic stick with barbs on it. These are great for grabbing all that hair and gunk near the surface of your drain. Just stick it in, twist it around, and pull it out.
You might need to bring out the big guns for really stubborn clogs: gas-powered or water-powered cleaners. These will use pressure to blast through clogs. And, if you’re feeling eco-friendly, some biological cleaners use good bacteria and enzymes to munch through all the gunk in your pipes. These cleaners are safe for your plumbing, septic system, and the environment, making them a great alternative to harsh chemicals.
Step 2: Banish Foul Odors
Clearing a clog is only part of the battle. Even after you’ve cleared the clog, that funky smell can hang around. Here are our favorite methods for freshening things up.
Baking Soda and Vinegar:
A mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, and hot water is often the best approach:
- Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain.
- Then, pour in a half cup of vinegar and let the mixture fizz for about 15 to 30 minutes.
- Finally, pour a pot of boiling water into the drain to wash away any remaining debris.
This method helps remove odors and also keeps your drain openings and faucets clean. It’s like a science experiment in your pipes! Plus, it’s all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals.
Biological Cleaner:
Biological cleaners like Zep or Citra-Drain are excellent options for a deep clean. These products are great for breaking down the grime and bacteria that make your drains smell bad.
Garbage Disposal Cleaning:
Garbage disposals are a common source of kitchen sink odors. They need regular cleaning to stay fresh. To clean yours:
- Pour a cup of ice and half a cup of coarse salt into the disposal.
- Run cold water, turn on the disposal, and let it grind the mixture for 10-15 seconds.
- Add lemon peels to leave the kitchen smelling fresh.
The ice cleans the blades, and the salt scrubs away any stuck-on debris. Don’t worry, the ice won’t damage your disposal.
Step 3: Prevent Future Drain Clogs
Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop clogs before they even start? Well, we can! A regular drain cleaning routine is the best preventative.
- Drain screens can cover the drain to catch all that hair and food before they go down the drain.
- Don’t ever, ever pour grease down the sink. Yes, it’s tempting when it’s a liquid, but it’ll solidify in your pipes and cause a lot of problems. A grease clog is no fun to deal with.
- Pour some boiling water down your drains every couple of weeks, and clean those sink stoppers regularly.
- Now and then, fill the sinks to the top with straight hot water, and then let it all drain at once. The pressure and hot water help clear out grease and gunk before it can cause a problem.
A little effort now saves a lot of hassle later!
Keeping your drains clean might not be glamorous, but neither is a clogged drain or a smelly house, right?
If you ever run into plumbing problems you can’t handle, don’t be a hero—call in the pros. That’s what we’re here for! Whether you need professional drain cleaning or have another plumbing issue, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Daytona is there when you need us. Remember, if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay!