‘Cheap’ homemade method to ‘instantly destroy’ smells and grease blocking drains

Given how much hair and soap makes its way down a bath , it’s a really common problem for the drain to get blocked. However, households don’t have to call the plumber immediately when they realise their tub isn’t draining. Instead, they can actually find home remedies – some of which will work just as well as commercial drain unblocks, just with the added benefit of not harsh chemicals. Taking to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook page one woman was in search of advice after facing the dilemma of a ‘slowly’ draining bathtub. Paula New wrote: ‘My bath is draining slowly. I’ve tried salt and a kettle of hot water. Any recommendations?’ Bathtubs get easily blocked with how much hair and soap makes its way down the drain (Image: Getty) While a few of the 127 recommendations were suggesting the use of a chemical drain unblocker, the most common natural method involved using baking soda , white vinegar and boiling water. Roxanne HM commented: ‘Bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar and boiling water. Done in that order and the last two done quickly.’ Terry Todd recommended: ‘Bicarbonate soda and vinegar – it will fizz up with boiling water out of the kettle.’ Ladonna Haley said: ‘Try baking soda and vinegar let set for a bit then pour boiling water on it but don’t put boiling water in the toilet.’ How to use baking soda for cleaning (Image: EXPRESS) Maggie Ewer wrote: ‘Bicarbonate of soda into the plughole, then pour in some warm distilled vinegar – works a treat.’ Lesley Hibbs said: ‘Pour baking soda over the drain hole followed by white vinegar until it stops fizzing, then add a kettle of hot water. I do this maybe once a month, it’s cheap and it destroys any grease and smells instantly.’ Lorraine Lange commented: ‘White vinegar bicarbonate soda hot water. Pour white vinegar down first, then bicarbonate soda, then hot water and it will all fizz up.’ It’s not just cleaning enthusiasts that recommend this method, plumbing experts at Wickes also suggest this too. Looking for a new home, or just fancy a look? Add your postcode below or visit InYourArea They said: ‘Using some basic household items, you can unclog your drain all by yourself. All you’ll need is baking soda, vinegar, and some boiling water in a jug.’ To carry out this cleaning method, boiling water first needs to be poured down the drain. After, mix 240ml of boiling water with 240ml of white distilled vinegar in a measuring jug. Once that is combined, 120g of baking soda can be added before pouring the solution down the drain. This should foam up inside your drainage pipes and clear the blockage. Let the mixture sit for an hour. After an hour has passed, run hot tap water for up to one minute into the drain. If this doesn’t work and the blockage is more severe, the experts recommend using an adjustable drain coil to combat severe blockages in the drain.