What kind of drain cleaners are best?

• <div><p>The best drain cleaners are biodegradable ones or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Strong, caustic chemicals may seem appealing with promises of unclogging your drain quickly, but <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/4-reasons-not-use-liquid-drain-cleaners.htm">liquid drain cleaners</a> can cause damage to your pipes over time. Consider making your own drain cleaner with baking soda and vinegar.</p></div>

Will boiling water unclog a drain?

• <div><p>Boiling water helps unclog a drain, but usually only with a harder abrasive such as baking soda or vinegar. On its own, it isn’t the most effective tool. In addition, you shouldn’t use boiling water if you have PVC pipes, as it can soften or melt them. Use a plunger or enlist the help of a pro if you have plastic pipes.</p></div>

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Last update on November 24, 2025

Drain Cleaning questions, answered by experts

The best drain cleaners are biodegradable ones or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Strong, caustic chemicals may seem appealing with promises of unclogging your drain quickly, but liquid drain cleaners can cause damage to your pipes over time. Consider making your own drain cleaner with baking soda and vinegar.

Some experts estimate that descaling your cast iron pipes can extend their lifetime by upwards of 50 years, although there’s not a lot of research to prove it. But we do know that without proper maintenance, cast iron pipes can quickly rust—leading to more expensive issues like burst pipes or main line clogs.

Boiling water helps unclog a drain, but usually only with a harder abrasive such as baking soda or vinegar. On its own, it isn’t the most effective tool. In addition, you shouldn’t use boiling water if you have PVC pipes, as it can soften or melt them. Use a plunger or enlist the help of a pro if you have plastic pipes.

A washing machine should drain the water used during its cycle through a drainpipe and out through the house’s plumbing. This is the same plumbing that sinks and shower drains run to, and if the U-bend is installed correctly, it shouldn’t smell. The total drainage from the house is then integrated into the city sewer system or, if you’re in the country, dispersed into a septic tank.

Clean regularly with non-abrasive cleaners, avoid pouring grease down the drain, and check for leaks under the sink.

The Marlborough, CT homeowners’ guide to drain cleaning services

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