Bathroom drains tend to get really gross. With multiple people using the sink and shower several times a day, the drains gradually fill with soap scum, hair and other miscellaneous things that get dropped down. Every few months it’s a good idea to give the drains in your bathroom a good natural cleaning that won’t be harmful to your plumbing. Tools needed:
- Hair snare
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Rubber/latex gloves (optional)
- Lemon juice (optional)
Step 1: Remove the snake strainer from all drains. Using the hair snare, stick it as far down the drain until your fingers hit the base of the sink. Move your hand in a circle motion and pull it up. Throw all soap scum, hair and anything else you find into the trash – you’ll definitely want some gloves for this part of the project. Repeat this step as many times as needed. Step 2: Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the sink and leave it for at least three hours. Be sure not to run the water in these drains during this waiting period. Step 3: Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain. Fill the drain until baking soda is almost coming up out of the drain. Step 4: Gradually pour vinegar down the drain. Stop pouring when it bubbles up out of the drain, as you want the reaction to occur within the drain to loosen debris. If your drain is really nasty, soap scum will come up out, do your best to scoop it out of the sink so it doesn’t go back down the drain. Step 5: Once you can no longer see the baking soda in the drain, run very hot water down the drain. Step 6: Pour ¼ a cup of lemon juice down the drain to cover up the vinegar smell. This will produce a fresh scent from the drain. Wait one hour before using the sink again.