How to do drain cleaning the "green" way

Drain cleaning is traditionally a disgusting job. Not only does it involve pulling out large chunks of gunk out of a sink, it also typically involves harsh chemicals. Drain cleaning,however,doesn't have to be gross or dangerous. This article will show you a safe and easy way to do drain cleaning in your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baking soda
• Pot
• Water
• Vinegar

1. 1
   Remove the drain stopper if the drain is a bathtub or sink before beginning drain cleaning. On some models, you can simply pull up on the stopper, but others you must reach under the sink and unscrew the post before it easily pulls free.
2. 2
   Dump a half cup of baking soda down the drain. The brand of baking soda doesn't matter at all, so go ahead and get the cheapest, largest box you can buy. You'll use a lot if you frequently do your drain cleaning.
3. 3
   Pour half a cup of vinegar down the drain slowly. As you pour, a chemical reaction takes place and it bubbles with the baking soda. If you pour too fast, it may overtake the sink. Let the mixture sit and bubble for about 10 minutes for maximum drain cleaning.
4. 4
   Boil a small pot of water. 2 cups is adequate, but you can actually heat up as much as you want for drain cleaning. The more the better.
5. 5
   Dump the boiling water down the drain to rinse away the vinegar, baking soda, and grime build-up. In the best case scenario, your drain cleaning duties are complete after this step. In the real world, however, you may need to repeat the steps 1 or 2 more times before the drain empties quickly.