Unblocking the drain is nobody's favourite household chore, and for that reason, many people often put off doing it.
But if it's avoided for too long, it can lead to your bathroom or kitchen drains becoming clogged up, which is much more difficult and unpleasant to deal with.
Sometimes having a go at it with a plunger isn't effective, but thankfully there are a few other things you can try that promise better results - and according to plumbing experts, you can do it using a few cupboard staples you probably already have at home.
The specialists from Victorian Plumbing have revealed some of the most effective ways to unclog a drain that don't cost the earth.
Here are some quick home methods that you can try next time you're faced with the problem, as reported by the Express.
Baking soda and white vinegar
There aren't many cleaning jobs that can't be solved using this combination of ingredients, and unclogging the sink is no exception.
With just a few teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda and 500ml of white vinegar, a “blockage may be gone”, according to the experts.
Add three teaspoons of baking soda into the drain and slowly pour in 500ml of white vinegar. Leave this for five minutes so that they can react and begin to “break down” any buildup.
Boil the kettle while you're waiting, and once the time has passed, pour the water directly into the drain to clear the blockage, repeating however many times are necessary.
Laundry powder
The plumbing experts noted that there may be “other items in the cupboard that are versatile” enough to be used to unblock drains, such as a biological washing powder.
They said: “Using washing powder to unblock a sink is a great technique due to the enzymes it contains.
“These enzymes are used to break down fats, oils and grease in your clothes, which is why it can be used to unblock your sink.”
Three tablespoons of powder should do the trick, then immediately flush away with boiling water from the kettle.
Alka-Seltzer
These painkillers are another cost-effective way to help unblock your drains at home.
Place two tablets into the plughole and then pour in 500ml of white vinegar, which should help to clear any buildup.
Once five minutes have passed, pour in some boiling water and repeat if you have to.
Bleach and water
For really tough blockages, a combination of bleach and water should do the trick.
Ensure your safety when using bleach by taking precautions such as wearing gloves and being careful not to breathe in fumes or get any in your eyes.
Get 250ml of bleach and pour it down the drain. After, get a kettle of boiling water and slowly pour it through the bleach so that it can begin to lift any mould and dirt.
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