Tired of stubborn drain odors and clogs that won’t budge? This powerful homemade drain cleaner combines common household ingredients to tackle even the toughest kitchen sink problems. Using just salt, dish soap, vinegar, and baking soda, you’ll create a natural cleaning solution that eliminates odors and breaks down grease buildup without harsh chemicals.
Ingredients
- 100ml (3.4 fl oz) liquid dish soap
- 1 tablespoon (15g / 0.5 oz) table salt
- 100ml (3.4 fl oz) white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30g / 1 oz) baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare the cleaning mixture: In a bowl, combine 100ml dish soap, 1 tablespoon salt, and 100ml white vinegar. Mix thoroughly until you achieve a homogeneous consistency.
- Add baking soda to drain: Pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda directly into your sink drain, ensuring it goes down into the pipe.
- Apply the solution: Pour the prepared soap, salt, and vinegar mixture over the baking soda in the drain. You’ll notice fizzing action as the ingredients react.
- Let it work: Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for 20-30 minutes. This gives the solution time to break down grease, food particles, and odor-causing bacteria.
- Flush with water: Close the drain stopper and fill the sink with hot water. Remove the stopper and let the water rush down, flushing away loosened debris and residue.
- Final rinse: Run hot tap water for 30 seconds to ensure all cleaning solution and debris are completely removed.
Time and Serving Information
- Prep time: 3 minutes
- Active cleaning time: 25-30 minutes
- Serves: One standard kitchen sink drain
- Frequency: Use weekly for maintenance or as needed for clogs
Nutritional Information
Not applicable – this is a cleaning solution, not for consumption.
Why This Natural Drain Cleaner Recipe Works
This homemade drain cleaner is effective because each ingredient serves a specific purpose. The dish soap cuts through grease and oil buildup, while salt acts as a gentle abrasive to scrub away stuck-on residue. Vinegar’s acidity dissolves mineral deposits and neutralizes odors, and baking soda creates a fizzing reaction that helps lift debris from pipe walls.
Unlike harsh chemical drain cleaners that can damage pipes and harm the environment, this natural solution is safe for regular use on all types of plumbing. The combination is particularly effective against organic waste, soap scum, and the biofilm that causes persistent drain odors.
Regular use of this natural drain cleaning method prevents major clogs from forming and keeps your kitchen sink smelling fresh. It’s also cost-effective, using ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, making it a practical alternative to expensive commercial drain cleaners.
Medical Disclaimer: This recipe is for cleaning purposes only and should never be ingested. Keep all cleaning solutions away from children and pets. If skin or eye contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Ensure adequate ventilation when using any cleaning products.