How does vinegar and baking soda fix a slow drain?

The Science: How Baking Soda & Vinegar Help Unclog Drains
When you combine these, a reaction happens where molecules get exchanged, creating carbon dioxide and water that bubbles through the clog, breaking it up to create loose material. And drainage pipes aren't pressurized like your typical water system.
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Does baking soda and vinegar really unclog a drain?

No, the baking soda/vinegar reaction created in a drain/household plumbing system does not take place in a closed system so pressure can't build up enough to blast a clog out of the pipes.
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Will vinegar fix a slow drain?

If you've got really old plumbing, harsh drain chemicals can cause damage. Try a naturally biodegrading drain cleaner or this homemade remedy: Pour in a half cup of baking soda, then a whole cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain for five minutes and flush it with a gallon of boiling water.
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Does baking soda help a slow drain?

Put 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain and let it sit for a few minutes. Pour this liquid mixture on top of the baking soda that's in the sink. This will loosen and flush away any grimy sludge.
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Can you leave baking soda and vinegar in drain overnight?

If it's still clogged, pour one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar down the drain, followed by two cups of boiling water. Let it work overnight to clear the drain.
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How to unclog a kitchen sink using baking soda and vinegar !!



Can baking soda and vinegar damage pipes?

Vinegar and baking soda together causes an explosive effect, which seemingly removes clogs and obstructions. However, this explosive reaction continues within your pipes which can easily destroy protective coatings on your pipelines and remove any chances of the clog naturally disrupting itself.
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What will dissolve hair in a drain?

Combining baking soda and vinegar is a natural way to dissolve hair clogs, without resorting to harsh chemicals. Pour a cup of baking soda down the clogged drain first, and then after a few minutes add a cup of vinegar.
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What is the best way to unclog a slow drain?

Pour one-half cup baking soda into the drain followed by one-half cup white vinegar; the fizzing and bubbling reaction helps to break up small clogs. Block the drain using a small rag so the chemical reaction doesn't all bubble up out. Wait 15 minutes.
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How do you free up a slow drain?

Measure out ½ cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Then take ½ cup of the magical cleansing substance known as white vinegar and drop that down there too. Allow the mixture to fizz in the drain for five minutes as the vinegar and baking soda combine. Now dump in that whole pot of boiling water.
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What is the best product to clear a slow drain?

These are the best drain cleaners, according to testing:
  • Best Overall Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover.
  • Best Drain Cleaner for Hair Clogs: Liquid Plumr Clog Destroyer + Hair Clog Eliminator.
  • Best Single-Use Drain Cleaner: Green Gobbler Drain Opening Pacs.
  • Best Enzymatic Drain Cleaner: Bio Clean.
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Does white vinegar hurt pipes?

The answer is that vinegar will not harm your pipes if used in small doses as recommended in many of the recipes that you find online. No matter what your pipes are made of, pex, pvc, copper, etc. Vinegar will not harm your water pipes.
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How often should you clean drains with baking soda and vinegar?

Follow the water with 1 cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar. You'll probably see some bubbles as the chemical reaction works its magic and opens your drain. Perform a drain cleaning on a weekly basis to keep the problem from happening at all.
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Does baking soda and apple cider vinegar unclog drains?

Baking soda and apple cider vinegar make an effective combination for cleaning out drains. When the two substances come together, it creates a bubbling foam that scrubs away dirt and grime. For this method, take a cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain.
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Can baking soda make a clog worse?

Some of the leftover baking soda is usually left in the pipe, which can actually make an existing clog worse if the reaction turns it into a sludge that doesn't rinse away easily.
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What is the best homemade drain cleaner?

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This combination of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar may be one of the best homemade drain cleaners around. First, if you want to unclog a tub or sink drain, pull out the stopper so that you can access the drain. Then, slowly pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.
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How do you unclog a bathroom sink with vinegar and baking soda?

4 Steps to Unclog Your Drain with Baking Soda & Vinegar
  1. Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.
  2. Next, pour a cup of baking soda and 1 cup water/1 cup vinegar solution.
  3. Cover with the drain plug and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
  4. Pour boiling water down the drain again.
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How do you get rid of a slow bathtub drain naturally?

Take one cup of baking soda, one cup of vinegar, and one of salt, if you want some extra power, and make sure there's no water in the tub. Dump the baking soda into the drain, followed by the salt, and finally the vinegar. If everything goes to plan, you should see a lot of froth; satisfying, if nothing else.
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Does hydrogen peroxide help drains?

Using Hydrogen Peroxide on a Clogged Drain

Hydrogen peroxide dissolves organic matter to loosen and flush away debris such as skin cells. It also disinfects the drain as it works by reducing germs inside your pipes and making your sinks smell fresh and clean.
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Why does my sink drain so slowly?

A variety of issues can cause a slow running drain in a bathroom sink. Strands of hair, a buildup of soap scum and larger bits of debris can catch onto drain parts to create a mass over time that blocks the drain flow. Many people put off dealing with a slow drain.
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What is the black gunk in my drain?

The black gunk that accumulates in your sink drain is created by a buildup of bacteria living on hair, hand soaps, shaving cream, skin cells, lotion, toothpaste, and phlegm (yuck!). The problem with this black gunk is it will not go away by itself.
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What eats hair in a drain?

Products like Drano and Liquid Plumr are caustic and can slowly eat away at your plumbing pipes. Baking soda, on the other hand, has many benefits. Not only does it help dissolve the hair down your drain, but it also has disinfectant properties that can fight odor, bacteria, and fungi.
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Can you use Coca Cola to unclog a drain?

Coke. Coke is a lesser-known fix you can find in your refrigerator. Pour a 2-liter bottle of cola — Pepsi, Coke, or generic brand substitutes — down the clogged drain. Coke is actually quite caustic and effective at clearing away buildup in your drains, but it's far milder than commercial drain cleaners.
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Can I pour bleach down the drain?

Bleach is a powerful, toxic substance that should be used carefully and properly, and pouring it down a drain is not a proper use. Bleach can react with other substances in your pipes, potentially release fumes, and further plug up the system.
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What does pouring white vinegar down the drain do?

Vinegar. Vinegar is both safe and beneficial to pour down your drain. It acts as a natural cleaning solution and can remove blockages and harmful bacteria that cause foul odors.
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