Calling all science types
Is there something I can buy over the counter, which will clear the blocked sink drain as well as, and cheaper than, the incredibly expensive Mr Muscle, but without a risk of blowing up the house (or having Special Branch burst in at 5am).

I could always teach my daughter to stop squishing left over food down the sink when she's done the dishes, but since when do teenagers listen to their mother?

All (sensible) suggestions gratefully received.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:12, 17 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

mmm....
Household bleach would do the trick.
(The Archduke of South London I'm in your Girlfriend eating her organs, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:13, Reply)

Caustic soda? I think
.
( girlinthehole, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:13, Reply)

kev
I've tried bleach - it did very little.

Caustic soda? Sounds suitably lethal. Next dumb question - where do you buy that.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:16, Reply)

Ironmongers usually sell it.
I think places like B&Q stock it also.

Remember to be careful with it. Use rubber gloves and don't breathe in the fumes.
( girlinthehole, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:18, Reply)

Leo Hickman from the Guardian says...
Biological cleaners that use powerful natural enzymes to clear blockages are also available. Bicarbonate of soda (you may need to buy it from a chemist to get the quantities needed), and vinegar (don't waste your best balsamic; a cheap white vinegar will do) poured down a sink or drain, then flushed with boiling water, can work well too.

But the principle of prevention remains the best option. A weekly tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda followed by a cup full of vinegar down a plughole can help to keep things clear as can a regular flush with boiling water.

www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2006/jan/03/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth
I know this as when I was a student we were too cheap to buy proper stuff
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:20, Reply)

What shoving a pet hamster down there?
Attached to a string of course so you could get him back again.
(The Archduke of South London I'm in your Girlfriend eating her organs, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:24, Reply)

Ooooh, lots of handy hints.
thanks you guys!

I'll have a look for the bicarb (always have vinegar in the house, it's good for cleaning windows) and try that on a regular basis.

Like I said, it would help if my eldest didn't squish everything down the bloody sink in the first place.



As one good turn deserves another, here's a handy hint:

Biological washing powder + boiling water will soak off almost any food from pans/baking trays in about 20 minutes. Buy the cheapest supermarket stuff, it works just as well.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:25, Reply)

@Weewitch
My mum does that. It always makes me choke though. I hate the smell.
( girlinthehole, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:26, Reply)

Caustic soda is great
you can buy it from Boots fairly cheaply.

Biological washing powder and boiling water will also clear drains. If you want a slightly more amusing way of clearing your drains, buy supermarket value coke - take out the straining thing and open your bottles into the hole. It'll usually get most things clear and is remarkably good at dissolving hair :)
(Himjim died a little more inside on, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:29, Reply)

Be warned
If you are trying various chemicals in your drains make sure the room is well ventilated. Some chemicals can reacts and let off some nasty fumes so try wait a while before attempts.
(The Archduke of South London I'm in your Girlfriend eating her organs, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:29, Reply)

kev
I found that one out long ago. In a bathroom without a window, mixing flash and bleach made me vomit profusely.
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Mon 1 Sep 2008, 15:32, Reply)

Weewitch
Is flash and bleach a euphemism for absinthe and beer?
(The Archduke of South London I'm in your Girlfriend eating her organs, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 16:02, Reply)

Caustic soda
or sodium hydroxide, to use its Sunday name, is probably the best.

It's a solid, which gives out heat on dissolving, and this helps with its efficacy. It doesn't give off fumes, although reaction products which form as a result of its acting on the stuff in the drain may be a bit yukky.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 16:21, Reply)

I will admit to not reading the replies
because I am too damn lazy but I use Soda Crystals.
A kilo bag is 50p from Wilkinsons.
Dump about half a bag down the drain apply plunger and plenty of hot water.

I use this on my bath a lot and it works a treat
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Mon 1 Sep 2008, 16:45, Reply)

you need to breed
some really, really tiny pigs, then train them to snuffle down the plughole and eat all the food they find on the way.

sorted.
(happylittletulip helpless and delicious, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 18:16, Reply)

The prize will be split
between hlt and kev. For the innovative use of small animals in waste disposal, here are your awards ...

*hands out mini Mars Bars*
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Mon 1 Sep 2008, 18:25, Reply)

ooh, i winned a prize!
thanks you miss witch!

*treasures mini mars bars*
(happylittletulip helpless and delicious, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 19:51, Reply)