Mildew grows in dark, dank places, and sink pipes provide an ideal habitat for mildew spores to spread. The growth can contribute to clogged drains and release a foul odor into your kitchen or bathroom. If your pipes house a mildew colony, there's no need to resort to toxic, caustic chemical cleaners -- environmentally friendly household cleaners do the trick just as well. White vinegar kills mildew, and baking soda gently scours your pipes to wash the colony and any other accumulated grime out of your plumbing system.
Insert the tip of a funnel into the mouth of the drain. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda through the funnel.
Pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar down the funnel. Quickly pull the funnel out. The vinegar's reaction with the baking soda creates a frothy, mildly abrasive compound that cleanses the pipe. Wait 15 minutes or until the froth settles.
Run hot water down the drain for one minute. Wait five minutes, then run cold water down the drain for one minute.
Things You Will Need
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- If your pipes are made of metal, you can flush them once with boiling water instead of once with hot water and once with cold. Boiling water can melt plastic pipes and pipe joints, so only use it if you are certain that your pipes are solid metal.
- Don't pour vinegar down the drain if you have recently used a chemical drain cleaner in it. The two compounds can react to produce a toxic gas.
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