Households urged to pour baking soda down sink before bed

Households are being urged to pour baking soda down sinks before going to bed for a surprising reason. A blocked sink can be very unpleasant. Slow-draining water, gurgling sounds and pungent odours emanating from your sink are all signs that there could be a blockage. Standing water and water backing up into your sink are further signs that there could be a clog.

Blocked drains can be caused by hair, soap scum, grease, fats, food waste and toiletries getting stuck. Some blockages require a plumber to intervene, especially if they are caused by external factors such as tree roots and natural debris.

If your property has structural issues, such as broken or collapsed pipes or poorly installed drains, these could also cause the drains to become blocked.

Structural issues will need to be fixed by a professional, but simple blockages can be fixed using two simple household items: baking soda and vinegar.

How to unclog a drain using baking soda and vinegar

You will need:

• Kettle
• 240ml of boiling water
• 240ml of vinegar
• 120g of baking soda

Method

1. First, flush boiling water from a kettle down the drain. The boiling water will melt and dissolve any grease and soap scum.

2. Then, mix 240ml of boiling water with 240ml of vinegar in a measuring jug.

3. Then, add 120g of baking soda into the mix and pour this into the drain.

4. The solution should foam up inside your drainage pipes and clear the blockage. Let the mixture sit for an hour.

5. Once the time is up, run the hot tap water for up to one minute into the drain.

6. If this doesn't work and the blockage is more severe, Wickes recommends using an adjustable drain coil to remove bigger blockages.

The reason baking soda and vinegar are so effective is because they create a chemical reaction when they're mixed together.

The chemical reaction generates carbon dioxide which you can often see when the solution starts to fizz and foam. The gas and the pressure can help break down clogs in drains.