Unclog Drains With Baking Soda May 2026

Immediately pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain. You’ll hear a satisfying fizzing and bubbling sound. That’s the chemical reaction hard at work.

Shove 1 cup of baking soda directly down the drain. Try to get it past the strainer and into the pipe. unclog drains with baking soda

Boil a full kettle of water (careful with PVC pipes—see note below). Slowly pour the boiling water down the drain to flush away the dissolved gunk. Two Powerful Variations Depending on what is clogging your drain, try one of these tweaks: Immediately pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain

Here is the definitive guide to unclogging drains with baking soda. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a mild alkali. On its own, it’s a gentle abrasive and deodorizer. But the magic happens when you combine it with another pantry staple: white vinegar (acetic acid). Shove 1 cup of baking soda directly down the drain

Before you reach for a toxic, store-bought chemical drain cleaner, take a step back. The solution to your slow drain is likely already sitting in your pantry: .

While baking soda alone won’t dissolve a massive hairball or a spoonful of grease, when used correctly, it is a powerhouse for clearing organic buildup, eliminating odors, and maintaining free-flowing pipes.

Cover the drain opening tightly with a sink stopper or a damp rag. This traps the carbon dioxide gas inside the pipe, forcing the fizz to push down against the clog rather than escaping up into your sink.