If the sink has been making gurgling noises and the water is taking a long time to empty away, then you likely have a blocked drain, but fixing it may be easier than you think. Sometimes you need more than a plunger to remove a stubborn blockage as greasy food, oil and soap can solidify in the pipes and it can be tricky to try and dislodge the fat.
However, the experts at Bond Cleaning in Perth have shared that you can quickly fix a clogged drain yourself without needing to call a plumber if you treat the blockage with soda crystals. They said: “Clearing clogged drains is one of the most challenging housekeeping chores, especially with proper products. Of course, baking soda and white vinegar are a great natural duo to remove stuck grease and grime, but soda crystals can do wonders.”
They added: “All you need to do is pour a cup of crystals down the drain and flush it through using hot water.”
Some people online recommend using baking soda and white vinegar to unclog a drain but it can usually only work for a very minor clog as it creates a fizzing action which can lift the grease.
This is likely not strong enough to break down most blockages in the home which is why it is much better to use soda crystal.
Soda crystals are one of the best ways to remove a blockage as it is highly alkaline, which can dissolve common blockages like grease, food scraps, and soap.
They will help break down the acidic fats in the drain and loosen any other debris so your drain will be cleared in minutes.
This is a natural yet highly effective method to unclog your sink. Soda crystals are simply sodium carbonate, a mineral compound that is safe to use on your pipes, so you do not have to use a harsher chemical product.
How to use soda crystals to clear a drain
To begin, simply boil a kettle full of water and pour it down the plughole as the heat will help loosen the clog. Then, pour roughly 120g to 200g of soda crystals down the drain as well.
Next, boil the kettle again and slowly pour the water directly into the plug, as it will help activate the soda crystals.
Allow the soda crystal solution to sit in the sink for at least 20 minutes, but wait an hour if you can, as it gives the soda crystals time to break down the grease.
Once the time is up, boil the kettle a third time and pour it down the drain. The hot water will flush away the loosened fat and debris to clear your sink.
Your kitchen or bathroom sink should now be completely cleaned out and running smoothly.
For very stubborn clogs, it can take one or two more times of the soda crystal treatment to get the sink completely clear.
It also should be noted that if this method is not working in your bathroom, you are likely dealing with hair buildup in the drain, but do not worry, as this is also very simple to remove.
