A slow drain can leave rings of damp debris around the edges of the sink or piling up around the shower drain. Using tiny snakes built for narrow drain openings and expensive drain cleaners can help, but they can also be a pain to use and not always easily attainable.
A simple swish of soda can refresh a slightly clogged drain and solve the issue in a matter of minutes. Not all sodas are built for this plumbing problem, so make sure you have the correct one before filling the drain with a can or two of what's in the fridge.
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How Soda Works to Unclog Drains
You can use soda to unclog a drain, a toilet or any other plumbing problem that plagues your home. The phosphoric acid in the soda's formula is what gives the beverage its pop of flavor, and it also has properties that prevent mold and bacteria from growing.
What Soda Unclogs Drains?
If you're interested in unclogging your drain with soda, look for products with phosphoric acid listed as one of the first four ingredients. That way, there will be enough phosphorous to work on the natural substances that are clogging your plumbing.
You must use a minimum of 20 ounces to cut through the muck in the bowl. A 2-liter jug of soda works just as well, but make sure it’s more than a single serving 12-ounce bottle to get the full effect of the soda's acidic properties.
Soda that may unclog a drain include:
- Coca Cola
- Diet Coke
- Pepsi
- Diet Pepsi
- Dr. Pepper
How to Unclog a Drain With Soda
- Let the soda sit out for an hour or two or until it reaches room temperature. Cold soda doesn't work as well to unclog drains.
- Gently and slowly pour the entire bubbly beverage down the drain.
- Allow the soda to sit in the drain for at least an hour, if not overnight, to allow it to do its work on the stubborn clog.
- Use boiling — not just hot — water to flush the drain thoroughly.
- Repeat until the clog gives way and the water flows freely down the drain.
How to Unclog a Toilet With Coke
It may seem odd, but using coke to unclog toilets that won't empty their contents down the drain works quite well. For simple clogs, you can use a 12-ounce can.
- Start slowly pouring the coke in the toilet at the edges and let it flow down the sides of the bowl.
- Let the acidic soda sit in the bowl for a few hours.
- Flush the toilet and repeat as needed.
How to Use Coke to Unclog a Drain
For more stubborn clogs, use a mix of coke and baking soda cleaner to remove stains and odors.
- Sprinkle baking soda around the edges of the drain let it fall directly onto the drain so that it covers it somewhat.
- Gently pour the coke over the baking soda. It will bubble and fizz, working to eat away at surface dirt around the bowl as it makes its way down to the base of the toilet.
- Allow this to sit for a few hours before flushing.
- Repeat as necessary.