Environmentally Friendly Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners
Environmentally Friendly Alternatives to Drano
It’s mid-2025, and after surviving the pandemic, then the post-pandemic we are now deep into the don’t-call-it-a-recession economic crisis, or as we like to say in Melbourne, cozzie livs.
We are all tightening our purse strings, changing internet providers and using discount codes wherever we can (but we’ll still pay over $5 for a coffee because we are Melburnian after all).
Plumbing bills are expensive; I don’t deny it. Our materials, equipment, training, insurance, labour costs etc make us such a high overhead industry. I break down our pricing in this article – Why Are Plumbers In Melbourne So Expensive?. We know people don’t plan for plumbing bills, as plumbing emergencies like blocked drains are usually a surprise rather than a planned event like the Country Road Spend & Save sale.
We do try to give as much free plumbing advice as we can so we don’t gatekeep ways to prevent a plumbing emergency from occurring. We thought we’d share our eco-friendly drain cleaning tips for good drain maintenance that could reduce the risk of a future blockage.
Why Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners?
I went to Coles the other day and checked out their drain cleaning brands. They ranged from the $12 Liquid Plumr (lols), mid-ranged $15 Easy Off Drain Cleaner to the premium $17 Drano. Their ingredients were all essentially the same: Chlorinating compounds 55.9g/L, Sodium Hydroxide 54.1g/L and Alkaline Salts 2.2g/L. Sodium Hydroxide, also known as lye or caustic soda, is a strong chemical base and can cause severe burns if it comes into contact with the eyes, mouth or skin. It is toxic, and if ingested, it can damage the oesophagus and stomach and inhaling it can cause breathing difficulties.
Whilst SC Johnson claim their Drano product is ‘safe on pipes’, regular use over time can in fact cause damage to your pipes. The intense heat generated by the chemical reaction (used to break down a clog) can weaken pvc pipes and corrode metal pipes, leading to cracks and leaks. You should NEVER put drano down your toilet as it can cause your toilet bowl to crack.
Can Drano clear a blocked drain?
If your kitchen or bathroom sink is backing up, it’s tempting to reach for a quick fix like Drano or another chemical drain cleaner. But before you tip that bottle down the drain (they require you use almost ½ a litre per sink/drain), it’s worth pausing to consider what this toxic chemical could be doing to your pipes, or the environment.
It’s also worth noting that Drano CAN help in breaking up hair and soap scum clogs in the bathroom, especially if the clog is only localised, however if a blockage is further down your pipes, caused by broken pipes, tree roots, a foreign object flushed down the toilet or sewer it will not help the problem.
We don’t recommend using this highly toxic product on your plumbing fixtures, however we DO recommend you regularly cleaning your sinks to reduce the likelihood of a future blocked drain, saving you $$ on plumbing bills.
Why use Natural Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners?
Want to reduce the likelihood of a blocked drain in your home? Keep your drains clean and flowing with eco-friendly methods that are good for the environment and your wallet. Here’s how I keep my drains free from hair, grease and soap scum;
Prevention is better than cure
As simple as it sounds, your drain isn’t a rubbish bin, so don’t flush or pour things down it that you shouldn’t. The only thing that should be flushed down a toilet is toilet paper, and the only thing that should go down a sink is water and dish washing liquid/ liquid soap. Don’t push food scraps through the plug hole, don’t pour oil or grease down the sink, don’t wash hair down that collects in the shower or chunks of soap bars that are too small to use; put all of these in the bin.
Old Fashioned and Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaner Recipe
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. This old-school method is safe, natural and surprisingly effective for light gunk build-up in your drains (like hair and soap scum).
- Pour half a cup of bicarb soda down the drain, also let some sit on the plughole.
- Follow with half a cup of white vinegar.
- Let it fizz and leave for 10-15 minutes
- Flush it with boiling water (don’t ever put boiling water in your toilet bowl, it could crack the porcelain). Pouring a kettle of boiling water slowly down the drain in two or three stages can help break up minor grease build-up or soap scum. While it won’t magically clear a solid blockage, it can help prevent grime from building up in the first place.
This drain cleaning recipe is not only environmentally friendly, but it’s also good for the hip pocket; on that trip to Coles I noted that 2L White Vinegar was $1.85 and 500gms Bi-Carb Soda was $2.70.
Plungers and Drain Snakes
There’s nothing greener than elbow grease to keep your drains clean and free from hair and scum that can lead to blockages.
- A plunger works best when there’s standing water (like in a blocked sink or toilet).
- A wire auger or plastic sink unblocker lets you physically remove hair, gunk, and other clogs without chemicals. Use these with caution if you do already have a blockage; you could push the blockage further down your pipes, damage your pipes or get the tool stuck in your pipe causing difficulties in removing
Enzyme Cleaners
Unlike harsh chemical cleaners like Drano, enzyme-based drain cleaners use bacteria and natural enzymes to eat away at organic waste. They work more slowly (best used overnight), but they’re gentle on pipes, safe for septic systems, and are biodegradable.
Look for products labelled septic-safe or biological drain cleaners and avoid anything with caustic, acidic, or sulphuric in the ingredients list.
It’s Too Late! You Have a Blocked Drain
By using natural alternatives and a little routine maintenance, you can keep your drains flowing freely for years to come.
However, even if you practice routine drain maintenance, you may be unlucky enough to still get a blocked drain. Some blockages sit deep in the line or are caused by tree roots, collapsed pipes or other issues that need specialised equipment.
McCarthy Plumbing Group can offer can unblock your drains efficiently and effectively, providing long-term solutions. Call our team on 03 9931 0905 for free over the phone advice and assistance with unblocking your drain.
Areas we provide service to: