What Are The Best Natural Drain Cleaners?

Tired of slow draining sinks and clogged drains, but don’t want to use harsh chemical drain cleaners? You're not alone! 

Many homeowners are looking to use safer, more eco friendly ways to keep their pipes flowing properly. The good news is, you can often tackle common drain blockages using natural ingredients you probably already have around the house. 

From kitchen cupboard staples, you can create effective, non toxic ways to maintain clean and clear drains, making them a fantastic natural alternative for both your plumbing and the planet!

Why Choose an Eco Friendly DIY Drain Cleaner?

When you’ve got a slow draining sink or a clogged pipe, the urge to reach for a harsh chemical drain cleaner can be strong. However, there's a growing awareness, particularly here in Australia, about the hidden damage these chemical products can cause.

Choosing to use an eco friendly, DIY approach to drain cleaning isn't just a trend; it's the right thing to do for your home, and our environment.

Here’s why making the switch to natural solutions is a decision you won't regret:

😁 Safer for Your Health

Chemical drain cleaners give off strong, noxious fumes and are categorised as “irritants” for a reason! They can irritate your eyes, skin, and your respiratory system; not to mention the possible danger of children or pets coming into contact with them…! 

Natural alternatives are made from household ingredients, which can ensure the safety of your, and your household’s, health.

😁 Softer on Your Plumbing System

You may just be after a quick fix for your drainage problem, but the chemicals in conventional cleaners will be causing damage to your pipes over time. These harsh chemicals can slowly eat away at your pipes, leading to leaks and expensive pipe repairs in the future.

😁 Kinder to our Planet

Every time that we pour chemical cleaners down our drains, they eventually end up in our waterways. These substances are highly toxic to aquatic life, contributing to long lasting pollution in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

😁 More Cost Effective

Instead of spending money on expensive chemical cleaners, you will probably have all the ingredients you need for an effective homemade drain cleaner in your cupboards! Baking soda, vinegar, and salt, for example, are incredibly cheap and if you don’t already have them, you can easily grab them from any local shop.

The Top 3 Best Natural Drain Cleaners

🧼 Soda & Vinegar

What You’ll Need:

125g Baking Soda

250ml White Vinegar

Plenty of Hot Water (not boiling, but very hot)

Kettle

A Plug or Cloth

Method:

1️⃣ Clear the drain of visible hair, debris, food etc from the opening of the drain.

2️⃣ Carefully pour in the baking soda into the drain.

3️⃣ Pour the vinegar down the drain immediately after the baking soda. You’ll hear and see fizzing instantly.

4️⃣ Cover the drain opening with a plug or wet cloth to make sure non of the escapes, and forces it deeper into the clogged drain.

5️⃣ Leave the mixture for at least 30 minutes (prefereably a few hours) to do it’s stuff.

6️⃣ Flush the drain thoroughly with a kettle full of very hot, but not boiling, water. This will help to wash away any any debris from the clog and rinse your pipes clean.

7️⃣ Repeat if necessary for stubborn clogs.

Best For:

👍 Minor clogs caused by soap scum, hair, and grease buildup.

👍 Slow draining kitchen and bathroom sinks.

👍 General drain maintenance and deodorising.

🧼 Baking Soda & Salt

What You’ll Need:

125g Baking Soda

125g Salt

250 - 500ml Hot Water (not boiling for PVC pipes)

Kettle

Method:

1️⃣ Clear the drain of visible hair, debris, food etc from the opening of the drain.

2️⃣ In a bowl, mix the baking soda and salt. When mixed together, carefully pour the mixture into the drain.

3️⃣ Slowly pour the the hot water (not boiling for PVC pipes) down the drain. This will start the scrubbing and dissolving of the grease.

4️⃣ Leave the mixture for at least 30 minutes (overnight for more stubborn blockages) to do it’s stuff.

5️⃣ Flush the drain thoroughly with the hot water. This will help to wash away any any debris from the clog and rinse your pipes clean.

6️⃣ Repeat if necessary for stubborn clogs.

Best For:

👍 Greasy kitchen sink clogs.

👍 Minor blockages caused by soap scum and food particles.

👍 Regular maintenance to prevent buildup in kitchen drains.

🧼 Hot Water & Washing Up Liquid

What You’ll Need:

60ml Washing Up Liquid

2 - 3 litres of Very Hot Water

Kettle

Method:

1️⃣ Clear the drain of visible debris, food etc from the opening of the drain.

2️⃣ Pour the washing up liquid into the clogged drain.

3️⃣ Slowly pour the the hot water (not boiling for PVC pipes) down the drain. The key is to pour it gradually, allowing the hot water and soap mixture time to work its way through the clog.

4️⃣ Leave the mixture for at 20 -t 30 minutes to do it’s stuff. You may hear gurgling sounds as the clog is breaking down.

5️⃣ Flush the drain thoroughly with hot tap water for several minutes This will help to wash away any any debris from the clog and rinse any soap residue.

6️⃣ Repeat if necessary for stubborn clogs.

Best For:

👍 Kitchen sink clogs primarily caused by grease and oil buildup.

👍 Minor blockages where water is still draining, but slowly.

👍 Routine maintenance to prevent grease accumulation.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While natural, eco friendly drain cleaning methods are incredibly effective for many common clogs and the best choice for regular maintenance, there are times when even the best DIY efforts just won't cut it. 

Knowing when to call a qualified plumber can save you time, frustration, and potentially causing damage to your plumbing system. 

The signs that you should give up the ghost and call Reline Solutions are:

😱 Persistent or Recurring Clogs

😱 Multiple Clogged Drains (e.g. your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and shower are all slow or backed up)

😱 Foul Smells that Just Won’t Go

😱 Water Backing Up (e.g. water bubbles up from the shower drain when you flush the toilet)

😱 Gurgling Noises from Drains Not in Use

😱 No Drainage At All

😱 You Suspect Pipe Damage

😱 Chemical Drain Cleaner Residue (don’t combine chemicals with other substances as this can be dangerous)

Professional drainage plumbers have specialised equipment like drain inspection cameras, drain snakes, and high pressure water jetting machines that can quickly and effectively clear even the most stubborn blockages without damaging your pipes. 

Our licensed plumbers can also diagnose underlying issues, preventing future problems and providing lasting drainage solutions for your plumbing system.

Call our friendly Reline Solutions team on 0403 355 550 or complete our online enquiry form today for more information or to book an appointment.