Unclog Blocked Drains Like a DIY Boss

The Impenetrable Ball of Grossness was clogging our shower drain. Undoubtably it was some combination of the previous owners funk, my long hair, lots of dog fur, and apparently some sort of mutant drain kryptonite. None of my all natural ways were helping and somehow it was actually getting worse.

It was The. Slowest. Draining. Shower. Ever. It took more than five hours to completely drain. So sloooowwww...

After copious amount of plunging attempts and tossing baking soda/vinegar at it while muttering threats against the drain's life proved to be unsuccessful, I decided to research how to unclog stubborn drain build-ups. The problem was that I couldn't really find an answer, but I did I see some "tips" which ended up being something like this {clears throat}:

• Use lots of baking soda and vinegar (over and over and over again)-- which is what I had been doing for weeks. 
• Use salt and baking soda with hot water
• Use washing soda to degrease your drains
• Call a plumber

Psh. Call a plumber {laughs} 

In true cheap DIY fashion, I decide that I was going to make the mother load of DIY drain cleaners by using all that ingredients that people recommended to use separately. Uh huh, yep. I know. It's BRILLIANT!!

What You Need

• ½ c Baking Soda
• ½ c Washing Soda (my grocery store carries it in the laundry aisle)
• ¼ Salt 
• 2 c or more of white vinegar (Enough to get everything wet with a good fizzle)

Also

• A small bowl
• Pot of boiling water

Mixed the baking soda, washing soda, and salt in a bowl and poured it into the drain. It's important to push as much of the mixture down into the drain as you can. You can use an object like an old wire hanger to help move the mixture deep into the drain if you need to.

After you've shoved as much of the drain cleaner into the drain as you can, pour the vinegar over the mixture. It will fizzle and start to foam which means it's time to cover the opening of the drain with a bowl to prevent any of the spurting fluids to escape! You want it to work it's magic IN the drain, ya' know.

After 15-20 minutes, remove the bowl from the drain and pour a pot of simmering/boiling hot water down the drain (for the love of God be careful!). Then turn on your water as hot as it will go and let it run for 5 minutes.

Hopefully now your shower will be free and clear of funk, but you may need to repeat this for a severe clog.  To keep everything running perfectly, you can also use this mixture as a once a month prevention for drain clogs.

Now go be awesome and show that drain who's the boss. YOU! {flexes}

Other Drain Clearing Ideas
How to Clear a Drain Naturally

More Uses for Baking Soda 
Baking Soda and Castile

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