Drain Cleaning Aurora, CO is a necessary part of maintaining your home’s plumbing system. It helps prevent clogs, backups and other problems by knocking grime and residue off the inside of your pipes.
Liquid drain cleaners work by creating a chemical reaction with organic matter that’s causing the blockage. But these chemicals don’t just go down the drain—they can contaminate groundwater reservoirs.
Enzyme-based cleaners are an effective and environmentally conscious way to remove organic stains and odors. They work to break down the bio-based soils that cause stains and odors on most surfaces, including human body fluids, pet accidents, food spills, and laundry.
An enzyme-based cleaner contains living bacteria that produce enzymes to break down and digest waste, soils, stains, and odors. These enzymes are proteins that speed up specific chemical reactions to help decompose organic matter.
The bacteria in these cleaners are harmless to humans and animals, and the only byproducts are water and carbon dioxide. This means that these cleaning products are safe to use on most surfaces and will not damage or discolor them. While they may take longer to work than chemical-based cleaners, enzyme-based cleaners are a great option for removing difficult stains and odors.
When using an enzyme-based cleaner, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure that it is applied and left on the surface for the recommended amount of time. Generally, this will be anywhere from 15 minutes to 8 hours. This allows the enzymes to thoroughly break down the stains and odors and allow them to be removed from the surface.
Once the stain has been sufficiently broken down, rinse the area with cold water and proceed with the regular cleaning process. These cleaners are safe to use on most surfaces and materials, but it is important to read the label before using them on fabrics that cannot be washed with water, such as rayon or silk. It is also important to avoid high-alkaline cleaners, as these can interfere with the activity of the enzymes.
It is a good idea to test an enzyme-based cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of the surface to see how it works. If it is safe to use, it is a great alternative to acidic chemical-based cleaners.
Enzyme-based cleaners can be purchased online or at many grocery and hardware stores. However, it is important to store these products in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and extreme temperatures, as this can affect their efficacy.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners are found in most households and work with a powerful chemical reaction to break down organic materials that build up in your pipes. These chemicals can be dangerous, especially if not used correctly. It is not uncommon for liquid drain cleaners to cause burns if they come into contact with skin, and they can also damage your pipes if they seep through them. These cleaners can also be harmful to the environment, as they often enter the water supply and can poison aquatic life.
Most commercial liquid drain cleaners use sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda, or lye to break down the organic material that causes your clog. They are generally heavier than water, allowing them to sink through standing water to the clog and react with it to create heat and release fumes. The clog is then broken down and liquefied so that it can be washed away by the water flow.
Some chemical drain cleaners are targeted toward specific types of clogs, such as hair or grease. Other chemical cleaners are aimed at preventing future clogs by inhibiting the growth of bacteria or mold. These cleaners typically work best on light blockages that are formed primarily from hair, soap scum, or grease.
If you are unable to unclog your drain using another method, chemical drain cleaners can be helpful in the short term. However, it is important to note that they only work on surface clogs and won’t clear long-term blockages. They should also never be used in conjunction with metal drainpipes, as they can corrode them over time.
Homeowners can try alternatives to commercial chemical drain cleaners, such as baking soda and vinegar. This method works similarly to chemical cleaners by creating a chemical reaction, but it is much safer for the pipes and those living in the house. To use this technique, simply pour a bottle of liquid drain cleaner down the drain followed by a cup of hot vinegar. Then, wait for a few hours while the mixture breaks down the clog and is washed away by the water flow.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
The old standby baking soda and vinegar is effective for many cleaning tasks around the home. They create a chemical reaction that lifts stains and cuts through grease. This combination is also nontoxic and safer to use than many commercially-made cleaners.
You probably remember using baking soda and vinegar for homemade volcano science experiments as a kid. The fizzing that results from these two ingredients is the result of their different properties. Vinegar is acidic, while baking soda is basic. When these two chemicals interact they neutralize each other, producing carbon dioxide gas and a water solution that can clean surfaces.
Baking soda is alkaline, while vinegar has a mild acid called acetic acid. When you pour vinegar over solid baking soda, the two chemicals react to neutralize each other and produce carbon dioxide gas and a liquid solution of sodium bicarbonate and water. This is the reason that you can hear a dramatic fizzing when the two chemicals are combined.
Because baking soda is more alkaline than vinegar, when you pour a solution of baking soda and vinegar over a dirty surface it will wipe away the dirt without damaging the material. This is why you can safely use this mixture on glass, ceramic tile and stainless steel sinks, as well as on most other household materials. However, combining vinegar and baking soda with aluminum, cast iron or marble may damage these surfaces.
Vinegar and baking soda are great for unclogging drains, as they can break down a clog faster than most commercial drain cleaners. When you have a clogged drain, simply pour a cup of vinegar over one tablespoon of baking soda. The resulting fizzing action can dislodge food particles, hair and other debris stuck in the drain and open the drain. This is a safe and inexpensive alternative to chemical drain cleaners, which can be caustic and dangerous to plumbing.
If you regularly use this method to unclog your drains, be sure to use a strainer basket to prevent hair and other items from falling into the drain. In addition, be sure to regularly flush your drains with boiling water mixed with grease-fighting dish soap. This will prevent buildup of fatty acids and other substances that can lead to drain clogs.
Dish Soap & Boiling Water
When you’re in a pinch, dish soap can be one of the most effective drain cleaners on hand. It’s safe to use on a variety of surfaces and fabrics, and it’s milder than many other products in the supermarket household cleaning aisle. It can tackle soap scum, grease and baked-on food, and it’s an excellent degreaser for pots and pans.
Pouring hot water down a toilet can also help loosen and break up minor clogs—especially if they’re caused by organic materials like hair, clothing or sanitary products. It’s a little less effective than using drain cleaner, though, and won’t work on foreign objects that can’t dissolve in water (like toys, baby wipes or pens).
Most liquid dish soaps contain phosphates, which are an environmental hazard that can lead to algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels in lakes and rivers. But if you’re looking for a gentler option that still works as well on grease and grime, there are a number of eco-friendly dish soaps to choose from. Some, like L’Avant Collective’s eye-catching bottle, even come in a gorgeous scent that elevates the task from chore to experience. And others, like Ecover’s Pink Geranium Liquid Dish Soap, come in bottles that can be reused and offer refills to cut down on plastic waste.
While we love the scent of Ecover’s soap, it disappointed us in both performance and longevity. Compared to our other top picks, it didn’t cut as much grease and required frequent sponge reloading. We also found the biodegradable/hypoallergenic/dye-, phosphate- and paraben-free formula to be gloppy and less effective on stubborn stuck-on foods than our top pick.
We asked the head green chef at plant-based houseware company method if any of her brand’s products could stand up to boiling water, and she said that most dish soaps can withstand temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. She suggests adding a few squirts of liquid dish soap to 1-1.5 quarts of hot water and letting the mixture soak for a few minutes before using. But she warns that leaving highly diluted dish soap in a bottle over time can lead to microbial growth.