Posts Tagged ‘cleaning with white vinegar’

Baking Soda Sink Unblocker

Written by Tony on 20 May 2010

Blocked or Slow Running Sink/Bath Plughole

Its a common problem especially in a heavily used shower or shower/bath that over time the soap build up begins to restrict the water flow. You may also notice a rather unpleasant odour coming from your sink or shower drain too.

You can use this method even if the drain still runs freely as those who you use baking soda regularly know, its a great deodoriser.

If your bath or sink drain is severely clogged or blocked with something other than accumulated soap scum, then this method might not be strong enough or may need repeating until the blockage is cleared. If you are in doubt, better to get a plumber to take a look first.

You’ll need 3 tablespoons of baking soda and upto 3/4 cup of white vinegar. To flush you will also need a freshly boiled kettle of water. Take common sense precautions when handling boiling water.

Baking Soda & White Vinegar

You’ll need to fish out as much of any hair or detritus that may have collected there before starting the unclogging process. Use some tweezers and/or rub a sponge or cloth across the drain plug which should lift out any hair etc. I will smell pretty bad, so best flush it down the toilet as quickly as possible!

Once you have removed any hair, then sprinkle in 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda – carefully push any that collects around the plughole into the drain. Now slowly pour in 1/2 – 3/4 cup of white vinegar, you will immediately see a chemical reaction taking place as the vinegar mixes with the baking soda which gently fizzes and bubbles. Keep pouring in the vinegar till the fizzing subsides.

Odour Free Unblocked  Drain

Once the fizzing subsides, pour a 2-3 litres of freshly boiled water from your kettle – but please take precautions when handling boiling water.

Once flushed you should have a free flowing, odour free drain plug. Fantastic!

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House Cleaning – The Eco Way!

Written by HomeMaid on 21 January 2010
Eco Friendly Cleaning
A series of eco-friendly articles to encourage more of us to clean our homes in a planet friendly way. Its kind to nature and to your pocket. There are a number of forgotten easily obtained substitutes for effective “green” in your home (they may even be hiding in your cupboards right now!)
White Vinegar
A fantastic eco-friendly stain remover, white vinegar is easily available, cheap and harmless to use. White vinegar is a mild acid, it is very effective on certain solid stains, such as limescale and calcium deposits (“soap scum”) from hard water – for example, in the shower and bath.
White vinegar can even unclog the washing machine; once a month pour one cup of white vinegar into the washing machine and run the machine through a normal cycle, without clothes (obviously!).
Other stains it works on include stubborn stains on furniture and upholstery, mildew and mould on bathroom tiles and shower curtains, food stains in pots and pans, stains in toilet bowls, perspiration on clothes, scorch marks and animal urine stains in the carpet.
Vinegar is also a great natural air freshener – placing a small bowl of vinegar in the room or spraying some into the air will deodorise a room filled with smoke or paint fumes.
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