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.)
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!!!
Oh Sandra!! I feel your pain girl!! Bless your heart. I almost gagged just looking at your pictures. Looks like seaweed 🙂
About 15 years ago, my hubby bought me one of those small augers wit.h a coil on the end of a winding metal tape because we have had some major bathroom sink and tub clogs. This little gadget looks very effective, though. Oils from make-up, other beauty and grooming products, and body skin and oils add to the problem as well. A good preventive practice is to pour boiling water down the drains ever one or two weeks. An electric kettle comes in handy for this.
Oh! I have one of those to use on the laundry room sink. I just haven’t gotten brave enough to use it because I know my tummy won’t be able to handle. I know it’s just hair and it’s our hair but …
I’ve decided to get hubby to do it. A plan I can follow. 😀
Jake’s a Girl
I have one and it’s one of the best $3.00 investments! The only problem is that I gag like crazy trying to get all that rotten hair off of it!