Jan 28, 2011

Channeling Tim the Tool Man

I totally just cleared a clogged drain all by myself using only ingredients from my pantry. The sink in my bathroom has been draining slow for a few weeks and I keep forgetting to mention it to my husband. And, as much as I love him, even if I did mention it to him, it would still be a few more weeks before anything would be done about it. (Love you Hoss!)


Anywhoo...after staring at my own spit and toothpaste funk for one morning too many, I'd had enough. I've seen this done all over blog land before so I figured it couldn't hurt to try. Although, I was still a little....shall we say scared terrified shaking in my boots apprehensive about attempting it. I'm not known for my handy man skills, hence the Tim the Tool Man Taylor reference. I had visions in my head of a big fizzy explosion.

Here's all you need to unclog your drain without using nasty chemicals:

Salt, baking soda and vinegar.


First put a kettle of water on to boil. 
While the water is boiling you can pour 1/2 cup each dry baking soda and salt into the drain.

Baking soda going in.

 Then follow with 1 cup vinegar.


Vinegar and prayers headed in.

Next hold your breath and pray your sink doesn't explode like your 4th grade build-your-own volcano project. It will bubble and fizz quite a bit.

Plop plop fizz fizz. I'm childish I know.

Then pour the entire kettle of boiling water into the drain and watch it work it's magic.


I think my kettle needs a good cleaning.

Hot! Pour carefully.


You can even see the oogies (very scientific terms used around here) floating up as they are being unclogged.

This worked great! I patted myself on the back and sat down to enjoy a nice cup of hot tea.
Darn it- why did I empty the entire kettle?!? Hindsight and all that. Learn from my mistakes. Pour yourself a cup of tea before unclogging the drain :)


3 comments:

Tia said...

I can't believe you've never done this before. Odd.

MonkeMama said...

I finally saw it done on Nate Berkus *swoon* and decided I could do it!
M

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Wow! Never tried this before but you bet I will from now on.