How to clean a drain naturally and keep it unblocked

It's annoying when your drains become blocked so the best thing is to try to keep your drains unblocked with regular and effective drain maintenance, whether in the kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Here are some eco-friendly ways to keep your drains clean and free-flowing.

How to keep drains unclogged

Use sink strainers

Sometimes simple (and cheap) ideas are the best. I advise everyone to get these for all their sinks and basins in the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, utility room, anywhere else you have a plug hole! These little sieves for plugholes allow the water to drain away and you can then dispose of the waste caught in the sink strainer in the bin. I have shoulder-length hair and it's amazing how much hair I save from potentially blocking up my bath plughole every time I have a shower. They are sometimes called sink strainers and come in different sizes and materials such as stainless steel (which is good if you're trying to be plastic-free), plastic and silicone. These are widely available from your local hardware shop so, if you have one, try to shop local and support your high street shops. Otherwise you can buy them from shops such as Lakeland, Wilkinson's, Robert Dyas and John Lewis.

Ecozone Enzymatic Drain Cleaning Sticks – 12 pack

I've only just found these on the internet and will definitely be getting some. These drain sticks are a new innovative product for drain maintenance and will keep your drains free flowing and clean smelling. Instead of harmful chemicals which damage the environment and wildlife, these sticks use powerful natural bacteria and enzymes to break down almost anything that manages to get through the plughole. As well as helping eliminate blockages, the drain cleaning sticks act as a natural drain freshener. The drain sticks can be used in the kitchen or bathroom and one packet contains a year's supply. They cost £5.99 for a pack of 12 and you can buy them online from Big Green Smile.

How to unclog a drain

3-Phase Drain Cleaning Brush

Earth Friendly Products Enzymes Drain Opener & Cleaner

Put down the Mr Muscle. You do not have to use harsh and dangerous chemicals to open, clean and maintain clogged drains. Earth Enzymes is a natural alternative as it uses enzymes to breaks down organic substances using enzymes, similar to how your stomach digests food. It's suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and food disposal units and is effective against food clogs and the build up when soap and grease combine with hair. You just need to add warm water and the product will unblock your drains and can also be used for weekly maintenance and cleaning.

Ingredients: Sodium sesquicarbonate, bacterial mixtures, proteolytic enzyme.

Size: 908

Normally £8.65 but currently there's a with 15% discount so it's only £7.35 from Big Green Smile

Ecozone Enzymatic Drain Unblocker 1L

Ecozone drain unblocker is formulated using a unique selection of powerful natural enzymes to clear just about anything without damaging plumbing and is safe to use with septic tanks. It can be used in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen and will break down soap, grease, toilet paper and organic residues to unclog your drains, sink and toilet.

£5.99 for 1 litre bottle which contains 2 applications from Big Green Smile

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