A clogged drain is one of those nuisances that always catches us off guard – usually when we have the least time and the most dirty dishes. The drain slowly starts to swallow water, soon the sink starts to foam and smell, and you find yourself in a classic dilemma: buy a strong chemical cleaner that stinks and often damages the pipes, or call a plumber and prepare your wallet for a mini financial meltdown.
But there is also a third option for clogged drain – fast, natural and surprisingly effective. It’s a simple household trick based on a chemical reaction between three everyday ingredients that almost everyone has at home. It requires no special preparation, costs next to nothing and – most importantly – it works. Users report that after just one try, the water flows smoothly again, the unpleasant smell disappears and the drain remains clean for a long time after. And yes, it all takes just 10 minutes.

Homemade mixture for clogged drains
Procedure: How to properly clean a drain with kitchen ingredients
To perform this trick you will need:
-
- 1 teaspoon of hand dishwashing detergent,
- ½ cup of baking soda,
- 2 cups of alcohol vinegar,
- and approximately 1 liter of boiling water.
Step 1: Preparation and initiation of the reaction
First, pour a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent down the drain. This will act as a surfactant, which will begin to dissolve grease and soap scum. Immediately after, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then slowly add two cups of alcoholic vinegar. The mixture will begin to foam vigorously – this is the expected chemical reaction between the basic baking soda and vinegar, which produces carbon dioxide, which mechanically loosens the deposits in the pipes.

Step 2: Heat retention and reactions
Once the reaction has started, place a wet dishcloth or stopper over the drain. This will allow the pressure of the foam to be directed down the pipe and not into the air. Leave it to act for about 10 minutes. During this time, the reaction will also reach the deeper parts of the pipe, where the most dirt usually accumulates.
Step 3: Rinse with boiling water
After ten minutes, remove the cloth and slowly pour a liter of boiling water down the drain. This will flush away the dissolved residue, wash away the impurities and provide the final cleaning effect. It is important that the water is really boiling - only then will it remove any remaining grease that usually does not dissolve at lower temperatures.
Why does this trick for a clogged drain work?
The operation is based on a physical-chemical reaction between vinegar (an acidic substance) and baking soda (a basic substance), which together form carbon dioxide and water. The resulting foam penetrates grease and residues in the pipes, mechanically loosening them, while the detergent additionally breaks down oils and protein residues. Boiling water then effectively flushes everything out of the system. The reaction is not only effective, but also harmless to the environment and pipes - unlike strong industrial cleaners, which can damage older and PVC installations over time.

Home remedies that really work
Many users have confirmed that the solution is effective, especially for kitchen drains where it often accumulates. grease, food residue and soapAn additional advantage is that all the ingredients are affordable, harmless to the household and always at hand.
More stubborn clogs may still require a trip to the plumber, but for everyday maintenance and prevention, this homemade trick is perfect. It works quickly, without harmful chemicals, and will save you a lot of morning stress before you leave for work—especially when you realize that the water in your sink is standing like a puddle after a storm.
Instead of resorting to expensive and environmentally harmful chemicals or calling in the pros for every minor clog, try this simple homemade mixture. It works in 10 minutes, won't damage your pipes, and works almost magically. Your drain will be clean, fresh, and flowing, and you'll have that winning feeling when you conquer a household challenge - using three ingredients you just found in your cupboard.





