Is it Safe to Use Baking Soda Drain Cleaner

Baking soda drain cleaner
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: June 11, 2023
  • Updated On: September 13, 2023

There’s nothing more disgusting than a clogged sink drain. Unfortunately, it happens mostly because of greasiness and build up leftovers in your sink drain. Most people, especially DIYers, prefer to deal with clogged drains by using a baking soda drain cleaner.

The best thing about this drain cleaner is that you can make it at home at a fraction of cost! So, there is no need to waste your money on expensive and chemical-based drain cleaners.

However, people are still confused about the usage of baking soda drain cleaner. The major concern behind the use of baking soda for drain cleaning is its safety. Let’s find more about the use of vinegar and baking soda for the cleaning purpose. 

Is Baking Soda Drain Cleaner Effective

Is Baking Soda Drain Cleaner Effective

There is no question on the effectiveness of baking soda for cleaning. It is a great and effective solution to get rid of blocked and clogged sink drains. For better results, you can use it in combination with vinegar or any other citrus liquid.

When you mix baking soda drain cleaner with vinegar, a natural chemical reaction will happen. This reaction will help to break down the grime, grease of other buildups in your sink drains easily. 

Not only to unclog your sink drain, but  be a great way to get rid of bad odor coming out from your kitchen sink drain.You can also use baking soda to clean kitchen cabinets and clear garbage disposal units. Additionally, it also prevents problems like leakage due to clogged pipes. 

How Often Should You Use Baking Soda Drain Cleaner

Use Baking Soda Drain Cleaner

Well, the usage of baking soda drain cleaner depends on the condition and clogging situation of your kitchen sink drain. If your kitchen sink drain is wrecked or in a bad condition, consistent usage of baking soda drain cleaner may damage the entire condition of your drain pipes. In this situation, you may need to replace your kitchen sink drain

However, if your kitchen sink drain pipes are in good condition, it is more than enough to use a baking soda drain cleaner at least once or twice in a month. You can also use it when there are signs of water blockage in the sink drain.

Does Baking Soda Drain Cleaner Damage the Drain Pipes

Mostly drain or plumbing pipes are made up of PVC material. Now, the concern is about using the baking drain cleaner for plastic or PVC drain pipes. You will be pleased to know that this drain cleaner is completely safe for your PVC drain pipes.

Baking Soda Drain Cleaner Damage the Pipes

However, the condition of your plumbing or drain pipes also matters. If you have recently installed a kitchen sink drain, your pipes will surely be in good condition. In this case, you can use a baking soda drain cleaner to clean the clogged pipes without any risk of damage.

Even if you want to use baking soda with vinegar, you can use it safely without any issues. These are natural reactants and will not damage your plumbing pipes.

How to Unclog Drain with Baking Soda

If you looking to clean sink with baking soda, consider the following steps:

1) Pour Boiling Water in the Drain

Pour Boiling Water in the Drain

Start the process by pouring down the boiling water in your kitchen sink drain. If you don’t have hot water in your sink connection, you can also boil water in the oven or on a heater. Ensure to use boiling water, not lukewarm or room temperature water.

The boiling water will help to remove the buildup and grease from your drain pipes on initial levels.

2) Sprinkle Baking Soda

Sprinkle Baking Soda

The next step is sprinkling or throwing at least one full cup of baking soda in your drain pipe. Once you have sprinkled the baking soda thoroughly in your drain, let the baking soda drain cleaner sit there at least for half an hour.

Baking soda will combine with water and clean the drain thoroughly. If you want to increase the effectiveness of this process, you can also add vinegar to your drain pipes after spreading the baking soda there. Otherwise, warm water is also more than enough.

3) Cover the Drain Strainer

Cover the Drain Strainer Basket

If you have poured vinegar on baking soda drain cleaner in your drain pipes, let the mixture sit there in the pipes for a few minutes. Even if you haven’t used vinegar, you still need to wait before turning on the water in your sink drain.

That’s why you can cover the drain strainer basket with its cover or simply shut off the main water supply. Trust me! This wait will be worth it. Baking soda drain cleaner by mixing with water and vinegar will remove all junks, buildups and other stuff from your drain pipes.

4) Turn on Warm Water

Turn on Warm Water Tap

Once you are sure that all the buildup or junk has been removed from your drain pipe, turn on your hot water sink tap to let all stuff drain properly from the drainage pipe.

Baking Soda is a Power Ranger!

Baking soda is a powerful cleaning agent for your home. This is a great choice to clear any kind of clog!

The use of baking soda ensures clean drains, uninterrupted water flow and odorless garbage disposal units. Baking soda drain cleaner is free from chemical-based ingredients. So, it will also not damage your drain system or pipes. It works pretty well for cleaning your kitchen supplies. However, in case of heavy clogging or blockage, you may need to hire a professional plumber or use chemical-based drain cleaner.

FAQs

  • What Happens When Baking Soda Combines with Vinegar?
    When baking soda combines with vinegar a chemical reaction occurs and carbon dioxide is produced. This carbon dioxide then helps to remove dirt or grease from the surface.
  • Does Baking Soda Drain Cleaner Affect the Environment?
    No. Fortunately, no! Baking soda drain cleaner is a natural product or ingredient that has numerous uses in household and also for cleaning. Even if you use baking soda in combination with lime or vinegar, it is still safe to use and environment-friendly.
  • What Concentration of Vinegar Works Best with Baking Soda?
    It is recommended to use vinegar with water in a 1:1. You can later add this diluted vinegar on baking soda to let it clean properly.
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Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

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