Forget baking soda and vinegar to unblock drains - 1 natural item clears clogs 'quicker'

Blocked drains are a common headache for many households in Ireland, with the daily grind of cooking, cleaning, and bathing leading to an accumulation of food remnants, soap scum, oils, and grease. These can cause sinks to drain slowly and emit unpleasant smells, disrupting everyday life and potentially leading to expensive repairs if not addressed promptly.

Luckily, dealing with these blockages can often be straightforward with the correct method. If you're experiencing sluggish drains or nasty odours, it's likely you have a blockage on your hands.

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But don't panic, as cleaning gurus have revealed a simple solution. The pros at Bright and Beautiful say that the ultimate remedy for a clogged drain isn't your typical chemical cleaner, nor baking soda or vinegar, but rather soda crystals, which act the "quickest."

They suggest: "There's no need to call a plumber for most ordinary or non-severe blockages. Try pouring boiling water down the sink, once it has drained away, fill a mug with soda crystals and pour it down the plughole."

While white vinegar and baking soda are commonly used for cleaning, their reaction is usually too weak to dissolve the greasy build-up in drains, often resulting in a fizzy salty water that doesn't tackle the clog effectively, reports the Irish Mirror.

Soda crystals, being highly alkaline, are capable of breaking down acidic grease and fat, allowing them to dissolve easily in water. They're also effective against organic build-ups, making them a great solution for unblocking bathroom sinks clogged with hair or soap scum.

To use soda crystals for drain clearance, simply boil a small amount of water and pour it down the drain. After the water has drained, add the soda crystals and let them sit for five to ten minutes to work on the blockage.

Follow this up with another round of boiling water to rinse away the soda crystals along with the dislodged grease and fat. As a final step, experts recommend pouring a full kettle of hot water down the sink to ensure the blockage is completely cleared.

This method allows you to effectively tackle blockages without resorting to harsh chemicals or expensive plumbing services.