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
When vinegar and baking soda are combined, the reaction produces carbon dioxide bubbles. These bubbles do break the clog, which gives the initial appearance of the products clearing the drain. However, the solution does not remove grime and grease buildup, so once the bubbles are gone, the drain will easily clog again.
Are vinegar and baking soda harmful to your drain?
Vinegar and baking soda are harmful to your drain, both individually and when combined. Baking soda is abrasive, which, when used in large quantities, will cause the drain more damage. Additionally, the acidic nature of vinegar can eat away rubber and metal, damaging the plumbing. As these products break down the pipe and connectors in the plumbing in your home, it will cause more clogs over time. The reaction caused by combining vinegar and baking soda can corrode metal pipes, damaging the plumbing over time.
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 keep 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, use a reliable product made for the type of drain you are using it on (for example, get a product that is created for use with garbage disposal if you need to unclog a kitchen sink drain.)
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.
Contact Central Heating
If you still have questions about your drains and cleaning, reach out to our experienced staff today.