Slow or smelly drains are a common household annoyance – but you don’t need harsh chemical drain cleaners to fix them. This simple natural method clears minor buildup and leaves your drain smelling fresh.

What you’ll need: baking soda, white vinegar, boiling water.

  1. Pour a pot of boiling water slowly down the drain to loosen any grease or buildup.
  2. Follow with 1/2 cup of baking soda. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of hot water and pour it over the baking soda. You’ll see fizzing – that’s the reaction breaking up grime and deodorizing the drain.
  4. Cover the drain with a plug or cloth for 10 minutes to keep the reaction working inside the pipe.
  5. Finish with another pot of boiling water to flush everything away.

For best results, do this once a month as preventive maintenance – your drains will stay clear and odor-free all year long!