AN EXPERT has revealed why pouring down baking soda and vinegar down your drains to unclog them might not be the best of ideas.
Over the last few years, both baking soda and vinegar have become cleaning essentials across many households in the world – they're often used to deter pesky fruit flies, remove stubborn carpet stains and more.
Social media users and the so-called cleanfluencers have also praised the cheap cupboard ingredients as a quick and easy way to unclog smelly drains – but is the hack truly safe and effective?
Well, one whizz, Kacie, from Australia, recently took to TikTok to share her thoughts on this cleaning method – and turns out, it's doing more harm than good.
''I think the people doing this missed the day we mixed these in high school science,'' the Aussie pro said in her video.
''Because whilst baking – or bicarb – soda is a great cleaner and vinegar is a great cleaner, they are opposite each other on the pH scale.''
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This, she went on to demonstrate, meant that mixing the two will cause fizzing – and whilst it may look ''cool'', Kacie explained that it's ''just them neutralising each other''.
The final product was ''nothing but salty water''.
For better and more effective results, the Aussie guru added that you can still use both of these – however, this has to be done seperately.
Kacie is not the only one to issue a stark warning against the viral hack, which has taken platforms like TikTok by storm.
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Experts at 1st Choice Plumbing informed that ''if done excessively, you may be left with permanent plumbing fixture damage as a result of this DIY''.
Additionally, they went on, it's also been proved that this ''trick''is also unable to destroy fats, such as butter, oils and grease, that are clogging the drains in your home.
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Instead, the plumbing pros advised to stick to other methods, such as using a a drain snake – this item, which can be ordered from Amazon, can be used even withoutbackground knowledge on drain cleaning, they said.
''Chemical-free drain cleaners may also do the trick. In minor cases, hot water alone may help bust the gunk in your drain.''
The best – and the safer option – is simply to have an expert come over and fix the issue.
Hundreds of people raced to comments under Kacie's video, where many thanked the whizz and shared their thoughts.
One said: ''I bed to differ, this has unclogged so many of my drains.''
Another penned: ''Finally someone says something.''
''I use two table spoons of clothes washing powder and a full boiled kettle of water … it helped more,'' a person shared their go-to hack.
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''My sink is currently fully blocked due to this,'' a cleaning fan warned others.
''Fact!'' a TikTok fan chimed in.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong – here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven't cleaned your mattress in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps
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