I've heard about citrus oils causing buildup too, but honestly haven't seen it happen much in practice. Maybe it's more of an issue if you're using tons regularly? Baking soda and vinegar seem safer long-term... ever tried that combo instead?
I've used baking soda and vinegar regularly, and it's been pretty reliable overall. Citrus oils might be fine in moderation, but I wouldn't risk heavy use. Better safe than sorry with plumbing... repairs aren't cheap.
"I've used baking soda and vinegar regularly, and it's been pretty reliable overall. Citrus oils might be fine in moderation, but I wouldn't risk heavy use. Better safe than sorry with plumbing... repairs aren't cheap."
Totally agree with your caution on citrus oils—I've heard mixed things about them too. A friend of mine got really into using essential oils for everything around the house, including drains, and ended up with some weird buildup issues. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to make me wary.
Baking soda and vinegar is my go-to as well, and honestly, it's never let me down. Been using it for years now, especially in the kitchen sink after cooking greasy meals. One tip I've found helpful is to pour boiling water down the drain first, then follow up with the baking soda and vinegar combo. Seems to help loosen things up even better.
Another thing I've tried occasionally is salt and hot water—just regular table salt dissolved in boiling water. I picked this up from an older plumber who swore by it for minor clogs and deodorizing. Can't say it's a miracle cure, but it seems to freshen things up nicely without any risk.
You're right though—plumbing repairs are no joke cost-wise. Learned that lesson the hard way when we first moved into our house and had to get a plumber out for what turned out to be a pretty minor blockage. Ever since then, I've been extra cautious about what goes down the drains.
Anyway, sounds like you're already on top of things. Good to see others taking a practical approach to eco-friendly solutions without risking expensive damage down the line.
I've had decent luck with baking soda and vinegar too, but honestly, it hasn't always cleared tougher clogs for me. Ended up using a drain snake a couple times... messy but effective. Citrus oils sound nice in theory, but yeah, I'm skeptical they'd do much good long-term.
Totally agree about citrus oils—nice scent, but not really powerful enough for tough clogs. I've had luck with regular boiling water flushes (like once a week). Simple, cheap, and seems to help prevent buildup...though it's definitely more preventive than a fix for serious blockages.
