How to clear a clogged drain without chemicals
The drain in my bathroom sink has been draining more and more slowly for a while now. (I’m embarrassed to admit even to myself how long this has been building up.) In my bathroom sink, I realize it’s probably clogged with a lot of hair. I’ve used chemical drain cleaners before and I don’t think they work very well. They might make a small difference for a short period of time but they don’t actually “Clear” the drain. Can you imagine a chemical that was strong enough to dissolve hair? What environmental impact that would have being flushed down our drains? I’d rather not! I found a tool that lets me clean out a drain without the use of harsh chemicals!
It’s a disgusting job but you can use a hooked plastic wand thing-a-majig and clear it out. This one is called a Zip-it and costs $2.50 at your local hardware store.
It’s super easy to use — but you might want to put on a pair of gloves and maybe cover your nose and mouth with a bandana – old time western movie style.
- Pull out the drain plug
- push the Zip-it down into the drain
- pull it back out –the hooks grab onto whatever hair and crap have clogged the drain
- you might give it a couple goes to get ALL the gunk.
Did I say disgusting? It is SO gross, I almost threw up!
Seriously — D I S G U S T I N G!
But that sucker worked like a charm!
Have you ever used one? Did you throw up? uuuhhhhhhh (shudder and gagging again just thinking about it.)
I gave up Draino years ago when I found this! I LOVE it. It is disgusting but it works. 😉
I love your blog! I read it religiously but never commented. I had to comment here though because I bought one of those drain “snakes” (very similar to your little gadget here) and totally gagged the every time i brought all the stuff up from inside the drain. I don’t know how i didn’t puke. Another AMAZING way to unclog a drain that I read about and successfully used is to put a towel over the overflow hole on the side of the sink and then use a plunger. It works like a charm if the sink is so clogged that it’s filled with water.
I have seen the plunger/towel method done. There seemed to be a problem with “splattering” of dirty water coming out of the drain with the plunger method. I’m not sure if that is *always* the case. Maybe it was a “user error.” But as a precaution against germ-spreading, I’d probably want to clear and cover the area, and plan on disinfecting afterwards!
PS. Sandra, I love the little white “doggie ringholder” in the photo above! Where did you find him? 🙂
OMG! I totally need one of these for my bath tub! I have long hair and it clogs up FAST. $250 sounds like a worthy investment and better than using needlenose pliers!
Fhew! I had to come check to see if I typed $250 for that thingamajig instead of $2.50! Funny typo. LOL But yes, $2.50 IS a good investment. Won’t break your drain plug and is way cheaper than calling a plumber to do it. 🙂
Yes, I saw that but couldn’t edit, so I left it!! I have my $2.50 ready!!!! LOL
Ewwww! I always just used Drain-o but I guess this is the best method. Not pushing gunk down, actually pulling it out. It’s a gross job, but someone has to do it!
I am so glad someone decided to put something “gross” on their blog… not everything we is pretty.
My tub is draining slowly and by the time I finish my shower, I am ankle deep in water. So will be getting that $2.00 thingy at the dollar store and using the baking soda vinegar rinse to get rid of the soft gunk every week so I don’t have to deal with this again.
not everything we DO is pretty.
I guess I’ll go put some baking soda and vinegar in now to top it off! It drains like a dream now though so I don’t think I need it. But just for a little added security. 😉