How to Unclog a Drain or Garbage Disposal with Baking Soda & Vinegar

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A natural way to unclog & deodorize drains and garbage disposals

Co-authored by Susan Stocker and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: August 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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Unclogging Drains & Garbage Disposals with Vinegar

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Preventing Drain Clogs

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Benefits of Baking Soda & Vinegar

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Is vinegar effective?

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Video

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Q&A

Don’t reach for the harsh drain cleaners or chemicals the next time you encounter a clog in your tub, sink, or garbage disposal—reach for a combo of white vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water instead! We’ll walk you through how to clear your drains with this all-natural solution, plus how to prevent any pesky clogs from popping up in the future.

How do you clean your drain with vinegar and baking soda?

Pour around ¼ cup (68 g) of baking soda into your clogged drain, followed by ¹⁄₂ c (120 mL). Cover up the drain with a cloth as the mixture fizzes, and then wait 15 minutes for the solution to attack the clog. Pour 2 US qt (1.9 L) of boiling water down the drain and test it to see if the clog is gone.

Section 1 of 4:

Unclogging Drains & Garbage Disposals with Vinegar

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1
Sprinkle ¼ cup (68 g) of baking soda down your clogged drain. Don’t add the vinegar just yet—only add the baking soda at first.^{[1]
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- Note: This method also works for garbage disposals.^{[2]
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Pour ¹⁄₂ c (120 mL) of white vinegar into the drain. It might help to funnel the vinegar into the drain, depending on the size of it within your sink or tub.^{[3]
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- Alternative: Double the recipe by using ½ cup of baking soda (136 g) and 1 c (240 mL) of white vinegar.^{[4]
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EXPERT TIP

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner

You can also pour vinegar down the drain on its own. Pour about 1 cup of vinegar down your drain and let it sit for 30-40 minutes. Vinegar has a very high acid content (which is why it's great on soap scum) and it will break down a good bit of the organic content that is stuck.

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Chances are, the mixture will begin to foam and possibly overflow from the drain.^{[5]
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Research source} Grab a towel, drain cover, or another similar item to block off the drain as much as possible to keep the baking soda and vinegar solution in the pipe or garbage disposal. Then, give the baking soda and vinegar 15 minutes to work through the clog in your drain.^{[6]
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Pour 2 US qt (1.9 L) of boiling water down your drain. The boiling water helps clear away the clog, along with the leftover baking soda and vinegar.^{[7]
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- Consider wearing mitts as you handle the hot water candle. Watch out for the steam as you pour the water down the drain, too!^{[8]
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Test the drain and repeat the process if the clog is still there. Turn on the tap and monitor the drain—does the water cycle away easily, or does there still seem to be a blockage? If the clog persists, repeat the process (steps 1 through 4) and see if anything improves.^{[9]
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- What if the clog doesn’t go away? Funnel ½ cup of borax into the drain, along with 2 c (470 mL) of boiling water. If you suspect that hair is causing the clog (like in a bathtub drain), use a hair snake to get rid of it.^{[10]
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- When should you try vinegar and baking soda? Give this remedy a try whenever your drain starts to run slower than normal and the blockage is deep enough that you can't pull it out with your hands or a short tool.^{[11]
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Use common household items to clear drains. "My wife's long hair always clogs our bathroom sink. I had forgotten the simple homemade drain cleaner I used to use. This article jogged my memory — vinegar, baking soda, and hot water are inexpensive and effective for clearing drains. I'm glad to have an eco-friendly solution." - Jim M.

Dissolve clogs with vinegar and baking soda. "I've been using baking soda and vinegar to try to clear my stubborn, clogged kitchen sink drain. Reading that this combination actively reacts with and dissolves gunk reassured me I'm on the right track with my homemade drain cleaner. A few more treatments should do the trick." - Anthony D.

Unclog with multiple homemade solutions. "With a completely clogged bathroom sink, I appreciated this article presenting multiple homemade drain-clearing solutions. I now have several safe, inexpensive options to try — vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, borax, and boiling water. I'm confident one will work to clear my drain." - Jerry M.

Flush repeatedly with boiling water. "I tried flushing my clogged tub drain with boiling water per this article. It took several kettle-fulls, but eventually, the water started draining faster. Repeatedly pouring hot water and plugging the drain helped dissolve the clog. My tub drains freely now." - Taze B.

Did you know that wikiHow has collected over 365,000 reader stories since it started in 2005? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story here.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Prevent Drain Clogs

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While many fats and oils appear to be liquified, they can easily solidify and cause problems in your pipes. Instead, let any hot oils and fats cool off completely, and then pour them into a disposable plastic container (like an empty bottle). Throw this in the trash like you would any other piece of garbage.^{[12]
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Install a drain basket or drain guard. Drain baskets and guards provide an extra line of defense to hair and other debris that can create clogs in your pipes. Every so often, dump out the basket or guard to remove the debris, and then stick it back in the drain.^{[13]
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Fill your kettle with water, boil it, and pour it down the drain (even if your sink isn’t currently clogged). The weekly hot water flushes may help keep your pipes clear.^{[14]
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Even if you’re careful, there’s a chance that fats and oils can make it down your pipes. Hot water will only serve to melt and liquefy this grease, which can lead to blockages further down the line.^{[15]
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Section 3 of 4:

Benefits of Baking Soda & Vinegar

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As effective as commercial drain cleaners may be, they’re loaded with harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment, like lye, sulfuric acid, and/or hydrochloric acid. Eventually, these chemicals can make their way into ecosystems.^{[16]
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Commercial drain cleaners are made with heavy-duty chemicals—chemicals that, when used enough, can wreak pretty serious havoc on your pipes. Switching to a less corrosive cleaner (like household agents) can help keep your plumbing in great shape for years to come.^{[17]
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Using these commercial products frequently can contribute to health risks, like skin irritation and harm to the nasal passages. Using household cleaning agents like baking soda and vinegar present far less risk.^{[18]
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Section 4 of 4:

Is vinegar effective at removing clogs?

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Yes, but you might need to use it several times. Many people agree that the combined power of baking soda and vinegar can be an effective (and all-natural) way to get rid of clogs, but it isn’t 100% foolproof. The combo might not clear away the entire clog at first, so you may need to use multiple courses of baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water to get the results you’re looking for.^{[19]
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- Baking soda and vinegar fall on opposite ends of the pH scale, with baking soda being basic and vinegar being acidic. When you combine the two, multiple chemical reactions occur, including one that produces carbon dioxide (hence the foamy bubbles).^{[20]
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- The mix of baking soda and vinegar helps to eat through the clog.^{[21]
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Community Q&A

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Question

What should I do if the clog is longer than the size of the hanger I am using?

Community Answer

You might need to get a zip-type clog remover, sometimes called a drain snake. The zip-type snake can be just a few dollars from your local hardware store. The metal ones up to about 25 feet can range from $10 to $30 USD or so. If a 25-foot snake won't reach the clog, then you probably need to hire a professional.

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Question

Can I use hot vinegar if I used a commercial drain cleaner several days prior?

Community Answer

Yes, you can, but the vinegar need not be to hot. Use it with baking soda for the best results.

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Question

Do I mix the baking soda and vinegar in a cup before pouring it into the sink?

Community Answer

No. Pour soda down the drain, then follow with the vinegar. Flush the mixture down the drain with hot water. If you mix the basics together in a cup, it will start to foam and lose its effectiveness.

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