Drains that become blocked can be pricey to fix with harsh chemical cleaner – especially for those who decide to call a plumber.
Whether it’s the kitchen sink or the plughole in the shower, chances are you’ve had a build-up of grime at some point that’s stopped the water flowing freely.
Yet, there could be a simple solution hiding away in your fridge – cola. According to plumbers at Emergency Plumber London, cola makes for an “effective” drain unblocker.
They claimed: “Cola is a better cleaning agent than some blocked drain removing chemicals. It is a strong dissolving agent that can even dissolve a nail placed in it over a stretch of time.”
Cola soft drinks have a distinctive taste that people love because of the phosphoric acid content in it.
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The experts explained that the phosphoric acid present in cola “inhibits the growth of mould and bacteria” in the sugary liquid.
Phosphoric acid is an “effective drain cleaning agent”, though not as toxic as it sounds.
The plumbers said: “It can clear your blocked drain without any damage on your pipes.”
Phosphoric acid is actually naturally found in many foods – and cola just happens to be one of them.
For “effective drain cleaning with cola”, get a two-litre bottle of cola and store it at room temperature for a while.
Pour it down the drain afterwards and allow it to fizz and work corrosively for about two hours before pouring hot, not boiling, water down the drain.
The phosphoric acid “breaks down any build-up causing blockages”. It can also “remove other tough stains such as limescale” that your “regular cleaners struggle with”.
If the drain is still clogged, chances are that the phosphoric acid hasn’t dissolved.
To remedy this, use a long piece of wire (like a coat hanger) with a hooked end to unclog the drain.
Cola is cheap to buy from supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Asda where it retails for 70p.
