Three Drain Self-Care Tips To Help Keep Your Pipes Working Their Best

Self-care is an important topic, not just for yourself, but for some of the things around your home. Your drains deserve the same kind of self-care you give yourself because there’s no need to just wait until a clog or catastrophe strikes, when so many are easily avoidable. If you’re looking for some ways to keep your drains looking and working their best, you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few simple self-care hacks to give your drains the care they deserve.

Drain-Care Hack No. 1: At-Home Drain Flush

Among the most common household ways to keep your lines flowing efficiently, cleaning your clogged drains with ingredients you have in your pantry can help save you from a headache.

If you can, remove your drain stopper and pour in ½ a cup of baking soda. After that, pour a ½ cup of white vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 15 minutes, without running the water. Next, bring a pot of water to a boil and, once it has rested, slowly pour in the hot water – be careful not to burn yourself. Test your drains by running water and repeat the process as needed but, if it doesn’t work the first time, you probably have buildup that requires professional attention.

Drain-Care Hack No. 2: Petroleum Jelly Plunge

There are so many uses for petroleum jelly and if you have a stubborn clog in your sink, shower or toilet, this tip might give you the boost you need to clear your drain. All you need to do is apply a layer of petroleum jelly to your plunger to help it create a tight seal. It gives the plunger a better grip and improved suction and, from there, you can use your plunger as you always have, until the clog is resolved or it becomes apparent that something stronger is needed. If the clog won’t come loose with a plunger, you may be tempted to stick something just a little farther into the drain. Put down the wire hanger! Unless you are a trained professional, the potential for a cracked drain pipe or lost coat hanger far outweighs the possibility that you may clear the clog.

Drain-Care Hack No. 3: A Pinch of Prevention

Routine small and consistent actions make a huge difference. That being said, you don’t need a degree in chemistry or a Martha Stewart-like Pinterest board to incorporate all of these tips:

• Drain cooking grease into a safe storage container, let it cool, and toss it in the trash.
• Clean your greasy pans with cold water, it will keep the grease, fat and oil in a solid state, helping it travel through your drain without clinging to the walls, causing buildup.
• Rinse your kitchen drain at least once a week with hot water, to help cut down on buildup from any grease, fat, oil, or food waste that might be lingering in your sink.
• Check your bathroom drains at least once a week for hair buildup. Hair is always gross but cleaning a few strands a week is way better than a full-on nest clogging your pipes.
• Make sure your kids’ toys are tub safe and larger than the drain.
• Speaking of kids, educate your tykes on not flushing toys down the drain. They don’t want to lose a toy forever – and you don’t need the headache that comes with a clog.
• Only flush toilet paper. Never flush a “flushable” wipe, sanitary product or anything else.

While you’re at it, throw away acid-based drain cleaners. Not only are they potentially harmful to your kids and pets, they can hurt your drains. They’re certainly capable of clearing clogs but the chemicals can’t tell the difference between the actual problem and the pipe and if the clog blocks it and it sits in your pipe, it can lead to compromised or broken pipes in the long-term.