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Unclog a drain quickly by pouring 1 natural item down the plug - no need for a plunger

It turns out you do not need a plunger or harsh chemicals to deal with a clogged drain, as you can unblock your sink naturally using a cheap but effective item.

By Katherine McPhillips

12:04, Mon, Feb 10, 2025 | UPDATED: 10:53, Tue, Feb 11, 2025

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Picture of blocked drain

You can unclog a drain in 30 minutes if you use the right product (Image: Getty)

If the water in your sink is going down the plug at a snail’s pace and has a foul smell then you are likely dealing with a blocked drain, but do not worry as it can be very easy to fix.

Blocked drains are a common problem due to the amount of food leftovers, cooking oils, soap and grease that go down the sinks daily which eventually build up into a clog.

However, the plumbing experts at UK Gas Plumbers have shared that you do not have to spend money on a chemical cleaner to unclog the drain as all you need are simple soda crystals.

They said: “When faced with a clogged drain, many people turn to harsh chemical products to clear the blockage. However, there is a more natural and environmentally friendly solution that can be just as effective – soda crystals.

“Soda crystals, also known as washing soda or sodium carbonate, are a versatile household staple that can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks, including unblocking drains.”

Picture of someone adding soda crystals to a plug

Soda crystals are a cheap, natural and highly effective way to clear a clog (Image: Getty)

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Getting rid of a drain blockage can be difficult as grease can be difficult to remove as it hardens into a sticky substance that clings to pipes.

Grease also does not mix with water and will trap food, soap and other debris to make a blockage even worse.

This is why soda crystals are so useful as they are highly alkaline, which means they can break down acidic matter such as grease to allow the blockage to wash away easily.

The expert said: “Unlike harsh chemical drain cleaners, soda crystals are non-toxic and biodegradable, making them a safer option for both your plumbing system and the environment.

“Additionally, soda crystals are much gentler on your pipes, preventing damage that can be caused by corrosive chemicals.”

How to use soda crystals to unclog a drain

All you need to do is first fill the kettle, turn it on and pour the boiling hot water down the drain. This helps loosen the blockage to make the soda crystals more effective.

Then pour 90g of soda crystals (around half a cup) down the drain. Follow the soda crystals by filling the kettle again and pouring more boiling water down the plug. This helps dissolve the soda crystals to make them more alkaline to break down the grease.

Then, leave the soda crystals and hot water to sit in the drain for at least 30 minutes, but you can also leave it overnight for really bad clogs.

Once the time is over, hot flush the drain once more time by pouring hot water from the kettle down the plughole, and the blockage should be completely cleared