"Another trick I've picked up is tossing some coarse salt down the drain before the boiling water—acts like a gentle scrubber to loosen up any gunk."
Good call on the coarse salt, it's underrated. Been plumbing for years and you'd be amazed how many expensive call-outs could've been avoided with simple home remedies like that. One thing I'd add from experience though—go easy on the essential oils. They're usually fine in small amounts, but I've seen folks get a bit carried away thinking more oil equals fresher smell. It doesn't. Too much oil can actually build up over time, especially in older pipes, and cause slow drains.
Funny story: once had a client who was convinced lavender oil would mask everything. Ended up with a drain that smelled like a spa gone wrong and took some serious elbow grease to clear out. Moderation is key, folks...less is definitely more when it comes to oils down the drain.
Good tips here, especially about the oils. I've always been cautious with boiling water though...it's great for loosening gunk, but if you've got older PVC pipes, repeated boiling water treatments can actually weaken or warp them over time. Warm or hot tap water usually does the trick without risking damage. Learned that one the hard way after a cracked pipe fiasco under my kitchen sink...not fun.
Totally agree about the boiling water—seen a few warped pipes myself. Ever tried baking soda and vinegar instead? Pretty gentle on pipes, eco-friendly, and usually clears up minor clogs without drama...
"Pretty gentle on pipes, eco-friendly, and usually clears up minor clogs without drama..."
Haha, "without drama"—love that description. Baking soda and vinegar is definitely my go-to as well. Quick tip for anyone new to this method: pour about half a cup of baking soda down the drain first, then slowly add a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz and bubble for about 15 minutes (perfect time for a coffee break), then flush with warm water. Works like a charm most times, and bonus points for feeling like you're conducting a mini science experiment in your sink...
I get the appeal of baking soda and vinegar—it's cheap, eco-friendly, and yeah, the fizzing is pretty satisfying to watch. But honestly, I've had mixed results with it. Sometimes it clears minor clogs beautifully, other times it just leaves me with a sink full of fizz and disappointment (and cold coffee, because I waited too long).
One thing I've found surprisingly effective is boiling water combined with salt. Sounds weird, I know, but hear me out. If you pour about half a cup of regular table salt down the drain first, then follow it immediately with a kettle full of boiling water, it can really loosen up grease and grime buildup. Salt acts as a mild abrasive, and the boiling water melts away greasy residues that baking soda and vinegar sometimes struggle with.
I stumbled onto this method after a particularly stubborn kitchen sink clog—baking soda and vinegar just weren't cutting it. I was about to give up and call in the pros when my mom suggested the salt trick she'd used for years. Figured I had nothing to lose, and surprisingly it worked like magic. Haven't looked back since.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan of the baking soda-vinegar combo for regular maintenance or minor issues. But if you're dealing with something a bit tougher or greasier, salt and boiling water might just save you from frustration (and lukewarm coffee). Plus, it's still eco-friendly and gentle enough on pipes that you don't have to worry about damaging anything.
Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there as another option. Different drains seem to respond differently, so it's always good to have a backup plan handy...
