Baking soda and vinegar have been a staple combination since middle school chemistry class when teachers used the fizzing combination to teach students about reactions. Since then, home cleaning blogs have touted the power of baking soda and vinegar as a miracle cleaning product, used to brighten laundry, remove stains from countertops and shine up faucets. Because these have become a staple in many households, it may be tempting to reach for baking soda and vinegar to attack that stubborn clog in your sink drain. However, this could be a bad idea. Read on to learn why you shouldn’t use vinegar and baking soda to clean a drain.
The thought behind vinegar and baking soda as a cleaning agent
Baking soda and vinegar can be useful for creating a DIY refrigerator odor purifier or to remove stains in carpets. Because of its seemingly versatile nature, DIY experts on the internet have also touted the vinegar/baking soda combination as a way to unclog drains and plumbing. In theory, you could see why this seems like it would work. If the baking soda and vinegar combination can remove caked on grease from atop your stove, why wouldn’t it also remove the grease causing your drain to clog? This idea is especially attractive when the baking soda/vinegar combo bubbles in its famous reaction. All those bubbles must be doing something good, right? However, the baking soda, vinegar, and even the bubbles released in the reaction can all do more harm than good to your drain and plumbing.
Why it doesn’t work
Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid, so mixing them neutralizes both. The reaction turns them into carbon dioxide gas, water and a mild salt. The fizzing can loosen a little debris near the drain opening, which makes the drain look like it is clearing. But the mixture cannot dissolve the grease, hair and soap scum behind a real clog, so the drain soon clogs again.
Are vinegar and baking soda harmful to your drain?
Used often, vinegar can do more harm than good. It is acidic, and repeated use can wear down the rubber seals in your plumbing and add to corrosion in older metal pipes. Pouring it down the drain regularly will not prevent clogs, and it can shorten the life of those parts.
Preventing and treating drain clogs
To prevent clogged drains, use drain stoppers in tubs or sinks where hair and soap scum are the culprits. Remember to clean these drain stoppers on a regular basis. In kitchens, avoid putting items like banana peels, coffee grounds, or eggshells down a garbage disposal, and try to avoid putting excess food down your garbage disposal. Run a stream of cold water when using the disposal to help carry waste materials fully through the drainage system.
If a clog does occur, try a plunger or a drain snake first. For regular maintenance, use an enzyme cleaner such as Bio-Clean, which digests organic buildup without harming pipes. Avoid chemical drain cleaners, which can damage pipes. See common causes of clogged drains for more prevention tips.
If a clog persists over time or after treatment, consider contacting a plumbing professional. Some clogs cannot be treated with a product from your home improvement store and may need additional tools or professional treatments. Clogs can cause additional problems over time, like leaks in other areas of the plumbing line, so do not delay in contacting your plumbing professional if you notice a stubborn problem.
Baking Soda and Vinegar FAQ
Does baking soda and vinegar unclog drains?
No. The two neutralize each other, and the fizz cannot dissolve grease, hair or soap scum.
Is baking soda and vinegar safe for drains?
We don’t recommend it. Vinegar is acidic, and repeated use can wear down rubber seals and older metal pipes.
What should I use instead?
A plunger or drain snake for a clog, an enzyme cleaner such as Bio-Clean for maintenance, and a plumber for clogs that keep coming back.
Contact Central Heating Cooling Plumbing Electrical
If you still have questions about your drains and cleaning, reach out to our experienced staff today, or schedule professional drain cleaning.
