There’s nothing worse than being in the shower and suddenly finding yourself standing in inches of water because your shower isn’t draining properly. As we all know, this can be caused by a build-up of hair and grime.
Rather than pouring chemicals down the drain, however, @experthometips on TikTok has suggested there’s a better way to clean it – it’s cheap and will only take 30 minutes.
“Shower not draining as it should? You probably have a blocked drain,” the narrator shared over the top of a video of a shower not draining properly.
But fear not, as she shared “how to give your shower the deep clean it needs.” First, you should “pop on a pair of rubber gloves and remove the cover on the plug hole”.
She said that if there’s a “filter sitting at the top of the hole,” you need to pull it out and get rid of the hair and grime from it. Any blockages should also be removed from the actual plug hole itself – at least the ones you’re able to reach with your hands.
She also recommended getting a “hook or a drain snake” if you need one, because they can be reused time and time again and are “handy.”
After you’ve cleared all the blockages you can, the home exert recommends pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain.
You should let it sit for 30 minutes before pouring boiling water directly on top of it. “This will help clear any grime or bad smells,” the expert added.
You are then safe to pop everything back into the plug hole and use your shower as you would normally.
But why is baking soda the ingredient you should turn to if you need to deep clean the shower plug hole?
Baking soda is effective for cleaning plug holes clogged with hair and grime because it is a mild alkali that helps break down and loosen organic materials, such as hair, grease, and soap scum.
It creates a fizzy reaction that can help dislodge debris and push it through the pipes. It helps clear blockages but also neutralises odors, leaving your plug holes cleaner and fresher without the need for harsh chemicals.
Additionally, baking soda helps to neutralize odors, which are often caused by bacteria breaking down organic matter in the drain. Its mild alkalinity can also help to break down acidic grime and soap scum, making it easier to flush away.
It also means that corrosive chemicals are not being put down your pipes.
Would you try this method of cleaning your shower plug hole? Let us know in the comments…