$4 Fix Clears Any Slow Drain Under 7 Minutes, by Under 7 Minutes on YouTube. 5 min 17 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 17 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes plus overnight
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Before bed, pour one full cup of dry washing soda crystals straight into the drain opening. Wait two minutes so the crystals sit against the buildup before any water goes in.
Slowly pour one liter of boiling water down the drain. Do not run the faucet afterwards, since the alkaline solution needs time to work on the grease.
Leave the drain alone for at least six hours. Overnight is best because the reaction keeps working the whole time the solution touches the pipe wall.
In the morning, flush the drain with hot tap water for two minutes to carry the loosened grease away.
Repeat all four steps for three nights in a row if the drain is very slow or smells. Years of buildup comes off in layers, not in one go.
For monthly upkeep, pour two tablespoons of washing soda and one liter of boiling water down the drain before bed. This takes about 30 seconds.
For a bathroom drain, clear hair first with a drain snake or hair catcher, then do the washing soda flush. Washing soda does not dissolve hair.
Tips and common mistakes
Use freshly boiled water from a kettle, not hot tap water, because tap water is not hot enough to drive the reaction.
Keep washing soda off your skin and eyes and out of reach of children, and do not mix it with other drain chemicals.
If water still backs up after three nights, the blockage is likely solid debris and needs a plunger or drain snake, not more washing soda.
Questions
Can I use baking soda instead of washing soda?
No. Baking soda is milder and will not convert grease the same way. Use washing soda crystals from the laundry aisle.
Will washing soda damage my pipes?
Washing soda is alkaline and generally safe for metal and plastic drain pipes at these amounts. Flush well with hot water in the morning and avoid mixing it with other chemicals.
How often should I treat the drain?
Once a month for upkeep, or three nights in a row when the drain is already slow or smelly.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
