They say that no good deed goes unpunished. I don’t have any scientific data, but I am of the opinion that using fewer chemicals for household chores results in more clogged drains. I could very well be wrong. I have made so many changes in my life over the past few years including moving house several times. It was only fairly recently that we started using vinegar and baking soda followed by some hot water to open up sluggish drains. If you haven’t tried this before, I highly recommend it. It works and you can easily obtain the key ingredients in plastic free packaging. The Good Human wrote a succinct guide to this eco-friendly method two years ago.

Effective advertising has led many of us to associate clogged drains with Draino. It comes in a plastic jug. In the past, advertisers advised people to put this stuff down their drains regularly as a preventative measure (now why would they do that?)

Photo Credit: StacyA

Recognizing a slow drain early and treating it immediately is important if you are going to rely on vinegar, baking soda and hot water. They do not dissolve everything in their path the way Draino will. They do a good job of shaking up the typical matrix of fatty substances, bacteria and vegetable matter that lurks in the kitchen drain and they are often enough to send the soapy hairball on its way in the bathroom drain. Sites like This Old House have advice on how to physically unclog all sorts of drains.

Establishing who is responsible for the physical removal of hair from tub drains is an important milestone in any relationship and the having no hair on your head does not mean that it is not your job.