However, if you live in a house built before 1970 and you have that are already rusted or showing their age: Do not use salt.
is a mild alkaline. While it isn’t as strong as lye (sodium hydroxide), it is excellent at saponification. That is a fancy way of saying it turns sticky fats into soap. Once the grease turns into soap, water can wash it away easily. baking soda and salt for drains
Give your drains a dry salt scrub tonight. Your future self, standing in a dry shower with no standing water, will thank you. Have you tried the salt-and-baking-soda method? Or are you still loyal to the vinegar volcano? Let me know in the comments below. However, if you live in a house built
The Critical Warning: Old Pipes vs. New Pipes This method is safe for PVC, ABS, and modern metal pipes (copper, brass). The salt dissolves eventually, and the baking soda is mild. That is a fancy way of saying it turns sticky fats into soap
It is slow, chemical-free, and safe for your family and the septic tank.
Salt accelerates rust. If your cast iron pipe has a tiny pinhole leak, the salt will find it and widen it. For old, corroded metal, stick to boiling water only, or call a professional. Baking soda and salt are for maintenance and minor organic clogs (grease, soap scum, toothpaste, food residue).
When you mix an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda), they neutralize each other. You are left with salty water (sodium acetate) and carbon dioxide bubbles.