We Made DIY Drano For Clogged Drains. Did It Flow Or Did It Fizzle Out?

A clogged sink can mean a hefty plumbing bill, but it's always worth trying other methods before shelling out a lot of cash. Products like Drano promise to help unclog sinks, but they don't always deliver, either. A homemade concoction of lemon juice, baking soda, and hot water caught my eye, mainly because I already had these products at home and several websites suggested this popular DIY hack. As one of the most versatile household products, baking soda can give you a cleaner kitchen and banish unpleasant laundry odors, so I figured giving this combination a try couldn't hurt, especially since my drain was already clogged and the ingredients (hopefully) wouldn't add to the problem. Even if it loosened things up a little, I'd be a happy tester.

The lemon juice is said to react with the baking soda, causing it to foam and break down build-up inside your drain. If you loved chemistry as a kid, this DIY is up your alley. As for me, I am far from a chemist and can even mess up an Easy-Bake Oven recipe, so to find the exact science behind why baking soda reacts to lemon juice, I turned to the internet. Lemon juice is acidic, so when mixed with baking soda — a base — the reaction produces carbon dioxide that manifests as fizziness. However, could a bit of fizz actually unclog my sink?

With my newfound knowledge, it was time to put this homemade Drano to the test. To prepare, I gathered my baking soda and lemon juice, then boiled a kettle of water in true homestead fashion. The hot water is likelier to help break up or at least loosen gunk that has attached itself to your drain, which is why it's called for in this DIY recipe. I transferred the water to a mug to make it easier to pour.

I actually noticed that different websites suggested different methods, with some instructing to use hot water at the beginning and end of the process, while others said to follow the baking soda and lemon juice with hot water. I figured it couldn't hurt to loosen things up a bit, but that part is up to you when and if you try this. Next, I added half a cup of baking soda to the drain, pouring it down before refilling my measuring device with lemon juice. This second ingredient followed quickly after the powder, and I watched as it instantly foamed and fizzed in and around the open hole. 

All the sources I read suggested putting the drain stopper back in the hole once you've added the mixture, so I did this and let it work for 30 minutes. The fizzing was super satisfying, and even if it wasn't de-clogging, it felt like something important and scientific was happening. As such, I hung around for a bit to watch the show. I can report this is as interesting as watching paint dry, and give it a solid three out of ten with extra points for the fizz when you first add everything in. Once 30 minutes were up, I went back to check on the progress.

The fizz had drained and a yellowish paste was left around the bottom of the sink, but this was easily washed away when I turned on the tap. The water went down better, but I still noticed it was a little slow to drain completely. While I think the mixture helped, I do not think it cleared away all of the grime that was blocking the sink.

The idea of using natural ingredients over harsh chemicals is very appealing, but sometimes even the strongest eco-friendly products can't achieve the desired results. The mixture definitely loosened some sludge that is probably lurking in the drain, and I noticed that the water went down better than it had before. It could be that the drain needs a plumber, but it's safe to say that Drano has been added to my shopping list.

I actually plan to use baking soda and lemon juice as a regular cleaner for my sinks and showers once a month, just to help keep things clean and to avoid harsh cleaners. For stoppages, tougher methods might be needed, but the satisfying fizz made this test worth the time spent trying it. The fact that you likely have all the ingredients lying around also gives it some bonus points, saving money on regular upkeep. This is definitely a clever way to use baking soda in the bathroom, but I would keep a bottle of Drano nearby for serious clogs.