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.)
If these are 2.50 I say make them one time use and avoid pulling off the nasty hair!
Definitely going to get a couple of these. The drains were nasty when we moved in, and my long hair and tendency to shed excessively, coupled with 3 very dirty little boys (and 1 big one!) makes for gag-inducing drain cleaning. And I make The Man do it. But I have to hear about it. In detail. And he’s like a cat, leaving me disgusting little presents to remind me how much he loves me.
I have had one for a couple of years. Bought one for each of my kids. They work like a charm!
My husband has nick named this process “DE-WOOKIE THE DRAIN” He did it only two weeks ago but I can tell he only did the drain stop because once again it is not draining. I know he used a bottle of liquid drain-o. But it must be time to add this tool to the mix so for once and for all the drain works right. On my next walmart run! Let you know what I think. Thanks for sharing!!!
Have one. Use it often. Been there. Done that. I’ve been a nurse for 20 years and was a scrub tech in the Operating Room for years before nursing school. It’s gonna take more than that to make me gag! That said? EWWWWW! I have long dark hair and it clogs our 100+ year old drains all the time. What is all the rest of that disgusting gunky black stuff that comes up with all the hair??? I mean seriously? Yuck-ah-rooney!
Having done so many times, I have an additional suggestion: A bowl a water or better yet a 5 gallon bucket filled about 1/3 or 1/2 with water. Wear gloves, pull of gunk, barb stick thing in water before putting it back in the drain. I find that the easiest way. I then follow up with baking soda, vinegar and boiling water to clean any remaining gunk out of the pipe. Thanks for sharing the pics, not many would have the cojones to do so. Just one more reason I think you are Gal Fabulous!!!
I’m going to use the baking soda and vinegar tip now too. That “other” stuff is what makes it SO gross. I can handle just hair but there’s definitely some added ingredients on that thing when it comes up!
On to cajones…I think we all know this blog isn’t JUST about pretty pictures. LOL I’ll take one for the team to pass on useful information. Thanks for your support. It would have been REALLY embarrassing to share something this “personal” and hear crickets……………….. I love that you all got my back!