Did you know that the best way to keep toxins out of your body is to keep them out of your home? At some point, our kitchen and bathroom drain will clog up and lead to water backing up. In many cases, these clogged drains result in unpleasant odours that seem impossible to get rid of. Here are three effective ways to clean your drains.

According to Australian Waste Statistics, Australia is one of the highest producers of waste on the planet. In fact, Australia produces over 18 million tonnes of waste per year alone. In addition to waste build up, these harmful chemicals were found in 80% of our bodies of water. Many of these pollutants come from hazardous items such as medication, poorly disposed of personal care products, biocides in the paint, and other clog-inducing materials.

While the standard practice relies on toxic, dye-based drain cleaners, these chemical products can damage the pipes and ultimately your lungs. To prevent the harmful risk, there are natural solutions to cleaning your drains without using chemicals.

Here are 3 effective solutions to naturally clean your drain.

Grab A Plunger

The best way to use a plunger is to make sure it covers the opening and begin to pump slowly. The vacuum will create a force that moves the clogged material to pass through. However, the chemicals might return if the opening is not properly covered.

First, you must apply petroleum jelly to the bottom point of the plunger and pour hot water. Place the plunger over the opening, then begin to push up and down. This will help break down the clog and promote an open drain flow. If this method does not work, you can use a wire hanger to help break up the clog.

Use Hot Water and Liquid Dish Soap

Another natural method to cleaning your drain is to use hot water with dish soap. Drains are often clogged by fat and grease, both of which can be easily removed with dish detergent. Pour a generous amount of liquid dish soap down the drain and follow with a kettle of boiling water. This will help treat a greasy clog within minutes. You can also prevent further drain clogs by following this solution once a week.

Enzyme Cleaner

Enzymatic drain cleaners are great alternatives to chemical drain cleaners. If your drain is clogged with grease, hair, or food peelings; try this organic enzyme cleaner. Biological cleaners contain enzymes that eat through the clogged material to clear the drain. They rely on bacteria to feed on organic waste materials and digest the residue. To gain the best results, follow the directions and pour the solution overnight.

Furthermore, once you have cleared a clogged drain, now is the time to take extra measures to prevent another hassle in the future. Make it a habit of removing any fats, oil or grease in the trash instead of the drain. If you find your drain clogged again, follow these methods instead of regular tap water. Lukewarm water will cool the grease and clog your pipes.

* This is a guest post by Jackie Edwards.