The internet is filled with various do-it-yourself (DIY) hacks that advertise themselves as great alternatives to common home problems. However, a big chunk of these hacks isn't really as effective as they may seem. One popular hack that people commonly believe to be effective is the use of baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain. But is this hack really that great for your drains?
What Happens When You Pour Baking Soda and Vinegar Down Your Drain?
First of all, what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar? Both baking soda and vinegar are highly caustic. They are, in fact, able to dissolve certain materials that one would not normally think of as being dissolvable. However, the extreme amounts of acid in vinegar, along with its acidic nature, are what cause the drain to become blocked.
For example, baking soda and vinegar produce carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is what causes the vinegar to vaporize and form bubbles in the drain. Thus, the clog is broken, and the drain is cleared. But this also means that once the vinegar is gone, the bubbles will dissipate as well, and the drain will eventually clog again. This is because carbon dioxide is not a good solution for removing grease and grime buildup, which are the main culprits behind clogged drains.
While both baking soda and vinegar are great cleaning products, they are not something you should be using to help you get rid of a clogged drain.
Is a Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution Harmful to Your Drain?
The reason why you shouldn't be using the vinegar and baking soda solution to clean out your drain is that the baking soda and vinegar mixture can cause a chemical reaction that is harmful to certain materials in your drain. When you are using baking soda and vinegar, you are actually causing the material in your drain to corrode. This will cause the drain to break down even more.
When you are using a baking soda and vinegar solution to clean out your drain, you are actually causing the rubber and plastic that are used for the drain's pipes to be eaten away by the mixture. Over time, this rubber and plastic will break down, causing the drain to become even more blocked.
When you choose to use a baking soda and vinegar solution to clean out your drain, this will also cause a reaction to take place with the metal that is used to create the actual drain. While the reaction might not take place immediately, over time, you will notice that the drain starts to look more and more corroded. This means that the metal of the drain will have a hole in it, and the drain will eventually become completely blocked.
In Summary
So, is it safe to say that you should avoid using a baking soda and vinegar mixture to clear up clogged drains? The answer is yes. While the baking soda and vinegar solution is effective in breaking down a clog, it will also cause your drain to become more damaged. The baking soda's abrasive nature will wear down your drain over time. This is why you should avoid using baking soda and vinegar solution for cleaning out your drain.
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