Drano helps unclog sinks, but it contains harsh chemicals that can damage your plumbing system over time. The good news is that it is possible to make homemade Drano without the harmful chemicals and toxins. This homemade solution can unclog the backed-up sinks and tubs like Drano while being both budget-friendly and environment-friendly. This article explains how to prepare a homemade Drano.
What is Drano and Why is It Dangerous?
Drano is a popular household drain cleaner product that contains strong chemicals like sodium hydroxide (lye), bleach, salt, and sodium nitrate. The sodium hydroxide in Drano works by breaking down the organic materials to unclog the drain. It also reacts with aluminium to generate heat and decompose the materials faster. In short, Drano creates a strong chemical reaction to loosen and unclog the drain.
All the harsh chemicals present in Drano make it harmful to use. It can even harm your body parts like skin, eyes and lungs. The worst part is that Drano can also harm the drain. The harsh chemicals create a strong, corrosive force that can damage the pipes, toilet bowls, kitchen sinks, and various other plumbing fixtures. Moreover, Drano can react with other cleaning products and from toxic fumes.
Why Should You Avoid Chemicals in Your Drains?
Using chemicals like ammonia and bleach can cause serious damage to the drains. The chemicals not only damage the pipes but also lead to corrosion over time. Therefore, it is advisable not to use these chemicals and switch to natural, homemade drain cleaners.
Easy Homemade Drano Recipe
Materials required:
-
1 cup baking soda
-
1 cup lemon juice or vinegar
-
Boiling water
Steps to follow to effectively use homemade Drano:
-
First, drain all the water from the sink and remove any drain plugs or stoppers to ensure a wide opening. A wider opening ensures a smooth flow of the solution down the drain.
-
Pour boiling water in the drain to loosen up the gunk and let the water drain again.
-
The next step is to pour the baking soda down the drain. You can use a funnel to ensure that the baking soda has reached the drain.
-
Next, slowly pour lemon juice or vinegar to create a fizzy, bubbling reaction with the baking soda. After pouring it, cover the drain with a cloth or tub stopper for the baking soda to work. This will keep the mixture inside the drain instead of coming up.
-
Leave the cloth for about 30 minutes for the bubbling action to break the clog.
-
Then, remove the cloth and pour boiling water to flush out the clog. In case you have plastic piping, use very hot water and not boiling water.
-
You might need to repeat these steps a few times if the sink has not declogged yet.
How to Use Homemade Drano in Toilets?
-
For a clogged toilet with standing water, start by pouring 1 cup of baking soda and let it sink to the bottom.
-
If there is less water in the toilet, add 1 gallon of boiling water.
-
Next, slowly pour 2 cups of vinegar to prevent the fizz from overflowing.
-
Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of hours and then check if the water has drained. Flush the toilet after the whole process is done.
What if the Toilet is Still Clogged?
If your toilet is clogged even after using the homemade Drano, let it sit overnight and then plunge if needed. Flush and see if it has unclogged; if not, then repeat the process and plunge again. If the toilet still remains clogged, it's best to call a plumber.
Is Homemade Drano Worth the Time and Money?
Homemade Drano is a very cost-efficient solution. A 32 oz. A Bottle of Drano costs about $4.00 at Walmart, while the DIY solution costs even less than a dollar. The lemon juice comes at $0.48, and the baking soda costs $0.31, which means the total cost is merely $0.79, which is much cheaper than a bottle of Drano.
The products used are simply found in the kitchen, so it will save you time, and you won't have to worry about going to the market. Since this solution is chemical-free, you won't have to deal with harsh or toxic fumes. Also, it is safe to use with kids around.
Conclusion
Chemical cleaners like Drano can clear the clogs, but they can also damage the drains. They are unsafe for both the environment and humans. Therefore, it is better to avoid such harmful chemicals and use natural methods. The homemade Drano method is not just safer to use, but it also saves you time and money.
