How to make it
- 1Pour boiling water down the drain first
Boil a full kettle and pour it slowly down the drain. This softens and loosens any grease or soap build-up that is coating the pipe walls, priming the drain for the baking soda and vinegar treatment.
- 2Add baking soda — get it into the drain
Measure ¼ to ½ cup of baking soda and pour it directly into the drain opening. Use a funnel if needed to get it past the drain cover. For a smelly drain, add 2 tablespoons of salt along with the baking soda.
- 3Follow immediately with white vinegar
Pour the white vinegar directly on top of the baking soda in the drain. You will hear and see fizzing — this is the acid-base reaction that lifts grease and debris from pipe walls. Do not stir or disturb it.
- 4Cover the drain opening
Place a drain stopper, a small plate, or even a folded cloth over the drain to keep the fizzing reaction working inside the pipe rather than bubbling out into the sink. Leave covered for at least 1 hour.
- 5Flush with another kettle of boiling water
After the wait time, remove the cover and flush the drain with a full kettle of freshly boiled water. Pour slowly and steadily. For stubborn drains, repeat the entire process once more immediately.
The most effective use of this method is as a monthly maintenance routine — done before drains slow down, not only when they clog. A monthly baking soda and vinegar flush keeps grease from accumulating, prevents odours from developing, and means you rarely need to deal with a fully clogged drain at all.
Surfaces guide
- Add 10 drops of tea tree oil with the vinegar for an antimicrobial, deodorising boost
- Use lemon juice instead of vinegar for a fresher scent — less effective but works for mild odours
- For bathroom shower drains clogged with hair: use a drain snake first, then this treatment for residual odour
- For kitchen drains with heavy grease: add 2 tbsp dish soap before the baking soda for extra grease-cutting
- Double all quantities for floor drains or large-diameter commercial drain pipes