Eliminating blockages in a shower drain can be the most challenging cleaning task – however, a common kitchen item simplifies the process
In the quest for a cleaner home, it's always great to find eco-friendly solutions. Today, we're sharing a simple and effective method to clean your shower drain using common household items.
Follow these steps to clean your shower drain naturally using baking soda and boiling water:
- Prepare your materials: Gather a cup of baking soda, a measuring cup for water, and rubber gloves. You'll also need a cloth or plate for later.
- Uncover the drain: Remove the cover on the plug hole by unscrewing it or prising it off. If your drain has a filter at the top, pull it out as well.
- Apply baking soda: Pour about a cup of baking soda directly into the shower drain.
- Let it sit: Allow the baking soda to sit in the drain for several minutes to absorb odors and break up grime.
- Boil the water: Bring about 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Pour the boiling water: Carefully pour the boiling water down the drain to flush out debris and dissolve buildup.
For better results, you can combine baking soda with vinegar first. Pour baking soda into the drain, followed by about 2 cups of white vinegar. Let it fizz and sit for 10 to 30 minutes before flushing with boiling or hot water. This fizzing action helps loosen grease and soap scum that commonly clog shower drains.
Remember to cover the drain with a cloth or plate after adding baking soda and vinegar to keep the reaction concentrated. If your drain is still slow or smelly after the initial cleaning, repeat the process. Running hot water after each use can also help keep the drain clear over time.
If you have blockages that are out of reach, consider using a drain snake or a flexible tool like the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel. These tools can reach deep into a drain and pipes to remove hair and other blockages. For ongoing maintenance, regularly using a drain snake can prevent blockages.
For more bathroom cleaning hacks, you might want to explore other areas during the 30 minutes waiting time for the baking soda to work. One user on TikTok suggests cleaning tile grout, removing bathroom mold, or adding sparkle to faucets.
Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on maintaining a clean and fresh bathroom. For up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews, follow Tom's Guide on Google News.
[1] Tom's Guide (2022) How to Clean a Shower Drain Naturally. [Online] Available at: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-clean-a-shower-drain,accessed 12 March 2023.
[2] Experthometips (2022) How to Clean a Shower Drain Naturally. [Online] Available at: https://www.experthometips.com/cleaning/how-to-clean-a-shower-drain/, accessed 12 March 2023.
[3] TikTok User (2022) Shower Drain Cleaning Hack. [Online Video] Available at: https://www.tiktok.com/@experthometips/video/7101314694452135251, accessed 12 March 2023.
[4] FlexiSnake Drain Weasel (2022) Drain Weasel. [Online] Available at: https://flexisnake.com/products/drain-weasel, accessed 12 March 2023.
[5] Tom's Guide (2022) How to Prevent Clogged Drains. [Online] Available at: https://www.tomsguide.com/us/how-to-prevent-clogged-drains, accessed 12 March 2023.
Maintaining a clean home is not only about the laundry or dishes, it also involves taking care of our home-and-garden. In this regard, adopting eco-friendly lifestyle solutions can be beneficial when it comes to cleaning our shower drains. For instance, using baking soda, vinegar, and hot water can help keep the drains clean and fresh, as demonstrated in the method shared by Tom's Guide.
