Guest guest Posted March 14, 2006 Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Clearing Clogged Drains By Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers, 1999). My upstairs bathroom sink drain always needs attention: I think toothpaste is the culprit, but whatever, it always needs help. You don’t need powerful industrial chemicals as the household cleaning industry would have you believe! Find out the surprisingly easy and non-toxic way I keep that drain open. When our drains get clogged, we have been unwaveringly convinced that nothing short of the most powerful chemical arsenal will work. As a result, most of us resort to commercial drain cleaners that are some of the most dangerous chemicals found in the home. Lye or acid, these products can harm health, the wastewater stream, and PVC pipes. A gentle yet effective approach to coaxing free a clog from a drain is to use simple household ingredients instead of burning a hole through the clog with industrial lye or acid. There are even bacteria-based enzyme cleaners available in health food stores that eat the clog free from the pipe without harming everything else in which it comes into contact. And it is always worth it to try unclogging a drain first with an old-fashioned plunger; they very often do the trick. If all else fails, you might try an electric plumber's snake, but it is recommended that to prevent injury, only professional plumbers should use this equipment. Baking Soda Drain Cleaner If water hasn't yet backed up in your drain, pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by 3 cups of boiling water. The boiling water will change the chemical composition of baking soda, making it more alkaline. Repeat a few times until the drain is clear. Washing Soda Drain Cleaner If the water isn't going down the drain, pour a cup of washing soda over the drain area and let it set for a while to work its way down to the clog. Once the clog is loosened, use the baking soda method, above. Washing soda is more alkaline than baking soda, with a pH of 11. You never want to use washing soda if a commercial acid drain cleaner has recently been used in the drain, as they will strongly react with each other. You also shouldn't overuse washing soda if you have PVC pipes, as the caustic nature of washing soda can slowly damage the plastic. The Bubbling Method Using Vinegar and Baking Soda Baking soda and vinegar react with each other to cause bubbles and fizzing. Sometimes the fizzing can unlodge clogs. Follow the baking soda and boiling water formula, above, with 1 cup of vinegar. Enzyme Drain and Garbage Disposal Maintenance All natural living enzyme culture drain cleaners will actually eat and break down any organic matter. Using enzyme drain cleaners once a month, such as Bi-O-Kleen's Bacout, will help not just your drains, but your septic system. They will also significantly reduce odor from garbage disposals. Colonies of enzymes will actually continue to grow and break down organic matter in your drains . Washing Soda Maintenance Enzymes don't work as well on hair clogs, so to keep drains clear that tend to collect hair, such as in the shower and bath, a few times a month pour 1 cup of washing soda followed by a thorough flushing of water. Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. health/ http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/ Relax. virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 Carol, as far as I know it, washing soda is not edible where baking soda is. OH and I did have a question for Suzi regarding bee stings. It mentioned baking soda and vinegar. How would there be a paste when vinegar fizzes out the baking soda? I use it in my drains all the time Hope everyone is well We are back in Winter here Think we took Chicago's windy city Tone Does anyone know what the difference is between baking soda and washing soda? Carol Pa says " When the Men in white coats come, don't think it's Good Humor" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 15, 2006 Report Share Posted March 15, 2006 I have this info: -Before getting started it is imperative to understand that washing soda is sodium CARBONATE and not baking soda which is sodium BICARBONATE. They are NOT interchangeable. Does anyone know what the difference is between baking soda and washing soda? Becky I sometimes feel alone and insignificant, especially when people turn out the lights while I'm still in the bathroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Basically that Washing Soda is a stronger base than baking soda, and is in fact, CAUSTIC. This is one reason why it isn't used for baking, Washing Soda is caustic/alkaline with a pH of 11 (with 7 being neutral). Though it does not give off harmful fumes, you do still need to use/wear gloves when handling it directly as a cleansing agent. In reading about safe household cleaners, it always is recommended to save the Washing Soda for the stubborn stains that you are going to tackle by making a paste. For instance, if speaks about petroleum spills on garage floors . . . grease build-up in your oven . . . y'know, truly STUBBORN STAINS! Baking Soda is only slightly alkaline with a pH around 8.1 (again, 7 being neutral). <carolminnick@...> wrote: Does anyone know what the difference is between baking soda and washing soda? Carol Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 So if you make biscuits out of washing soda, you will clean out your pipes? <vbg> Gayla Always Enough RanchAcampo, Californiahttp://bouncinghoofs.com/alwaysenough.htmlA day without Bill Barnhill is like a day without sunshine!goatclearing@... ----- Original Message ----- From: Suzanne health Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:28 PM Subject: Re: Re: Clogged Drains Basically that Washing Soda is a stronger base than baking soda, and is in fact, CAUSTIC. This is one reason why it isn't used for baking, Washing Soda is caustic/alkaline with a pH of 11 (with 7 being neutral). Though it does not give off harmful fumes, you do still need to use/wear gloves when handling it directly as a cleansing agent. In reading about safe household cleaners, it always is recommended to save the Washing Soda for the stubborn stains that you are going to tackle by making a paste. For instance, if speaks about petroleum spills on garage floors . . . grease build-up in your oven . . . y'know, truly STUBBORN STAINS! Baking Soda is only slightly alkaline with a pH around 8.1 (again, 7 being neutral). <carolminnick@...> wrote: Does anyone know what the difference is between baking soda and washing soda? Carol Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.2.3/281 - Release Date: 3/14/2006 Dial Broadband has arrived Nationwide! Up to 5 times faster than traditional dialup connections from $13.33/month! See the demo for yourself at www.BigValley.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 I guess I just never realized there was also a separate “washing sodaâ€. Have to look for that. I didn't realize there was a difference either. The washing soda is better to do laundry with. Evidently some grocery stores will have it in their laundry section, but none of ours do - just the baking soda. Walmart will order it I've heard - here are the UPC codes: If the items are not available at the local Walmart the UPC numbers are as follows: washing soda-0-33200-03020 fels naptha soap-0-24420004303 1 bar of your favorite smelling homemade soap (or fels naptha if you don't make soap) 1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 1/2 cup borax Hot Water Place grated soap in a pot. Cover with hot water and simmer over medium heat until soap is melted. Don't let it boil and stir occasionally. When the soap is all melted pour into a 5 gallon pail. Add the washing soda and borax and stir very well. Add hot water to fill the pail. Stir again really well. Let set overnight. It will sort of gel. It looks wierd if you aren't used to it, but it works. I put a few drops of lavender eo in mine sometimes. Use 1 cup per load or a little more if clothes are really dirty. Becky I sometimes feel alone and insignificant, especially when people turn out the lights while I'm still in the bathroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Thanks everyone, for the explanation of the difference. All these years I’ve been buying a big box to use in my laundry, and taking some of that for kitchen use when baking. I just looked at the box, and it does say Bicarbonate. Whew! But on the box it says for baking, washing, and deodorizing. I guess I just never realized there was also a separate “washing soda”. Have to look for that. Carol From: bbarnyard82637@... washing soda is sodium CARBONATE and not baking soda which is sodium BICARBONATE. They are NOT interchangeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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