The hack of pouring vinegar and bicarbonate of soda down your kitchen drain is hardly new. This simple trick can break down the buildup of common household waste, preventing nasty smells and even saving you from more serious, costly blockages.
But as we enter the fall and winter months, experts warning homeowners to not let up on this routine. You're likely staying home more, cooking meals that are higher in fat, and perhaps even picking up some overdue DIY tasks around your house. There are plenty of reasons why October can be a peak month for drain blockages.
So even though the hot weather is behind us, meaning you're less likely to get nasty odors from your drain, it's just as important to continue pouring vinegar down your drain once the summer months are behind us.
"Being proactive in managing your drains will save you stress and expense in the long run", says Lee Waring, plumbing expert at HomeHow.co.uk. Here's why, and how to do it the right way.
Being proactive now can prevent long-term damage
While I occasionally use chemical cleaners to bust blockages in my drains, I'm reluctant to do this too often. When I had my bathroom renovated, my plumbers explicitly warned me that my pipes were susceptible to damage if I used common drain cleaners too heavily.
“Though these might seem like a quick fix, most contain strong alkaline or acidic chemicals and overuse can sometimes do more harm than good in the long run," warns Anna Thunstrom, home insurance expert at Saga. "It can erode metal and plastic pipes, leading to pipe corrosion, and worsen blockages if it doesn't fully clear and hardens inside pipes.”
The best way to avoid overuse of these strong chemical cleaners is to get into a routine of using less abrasive cleaners to flush out buildup from drains on a regular basis.
According to a survey by Saga, 43% of those polled clean their drains "as and when needed." This includes incidents where "water runs slowly or there’s a bad smell."
Instead, homeowners should make it a rountine to flush vinegar down their drains on a regular basis, which could in turn prevent the buildup of more costly blockages.
"As soon as we notice that the drains in our kitchen and bathroom sinks are beginning to drain water slowly or emit bad odor, we are quick to clean them with an unblocking solution," added Joyce French, also from HomeHow.co.uk.
"However, we shouldn't wait until this point, and regular cleaning can save a lot of time and money in the long run."
How to use vinegar to clear your drains
"For best results, pour the baking soda down the drain first then the vinegar, cover it and let it sit for around 30 minutes to an hour before flushing it away with hot water."
Andy Ellis, shower and bathroom expert at Vidalux
Using vinegar to prevent blockages in drains can be quick, cheap and easy.
“There are some really simple and effective ways to unclog drains and you can use some items you already have in your home such as salt and white vinegar," says Andy Ellis, shower and bathroom expert at Vidalux.co.uk.
“You can even use things like indigestion tablets and vodka to help unblock and neutralise any odours!”
To use vinegar and baking soda, Ellis recommends first going in with your baking soda.
"For best results, pour the baking soda down the drain first then the vinegar, cover it and let it sit for around 30 minutes to an hour before flushing it away with hot water."
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More from Tom's Guide
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