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soda crystals/ caustic soda fow wc pan

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  • geordie_joe
    geordie_joe Posts: 9,112 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    MrsE wrote: »

    Can I use caustic soda down plugholes to burn away any gunk (hair) or will it melt any plastic pipes.

    I've just realised its in a plastic bottle:o:o:o:o:o:o

    Is there any reason why I shouldn't use it for plugholes?

    You'll be even more embarrassed when you discover that instructions for unblocking plug holes/drains are printed on the bottle ;)
  • with regard the wc it's nine years old and i notice the very base of the pan is discoloured which is probably mostly limescale as well as 9 years of use.

    what should i use to shift this would caustic soda be any good.

    No - caustic soda is alkaline, and will shift fat from drains (making soap in the process ;) ).

    You need acid to shift limescale - hydrochloric, or bleach will do the job. Vinegar or lemon juice, too, but they'll be much slower :D

    Penny. x
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  • MrsE_2
    MrsE_2 Posts: 24,162 Forumite
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    You'll be even more embarrassed when you discover that instructions for unblocking plug holes/drains are printed on the bottle ;)

    Drains are a little different, I was worried about the plastic pipe from the bath.
    I did work it out for myself.

    I just wanted to check in case it marks chrome plug holes or anything:rolleyes:
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 17,413 Forumite
    10,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped!
    Why not try bunging a bottle of flat coke down and leaving it overnight .Its cheap, you can buy a bottle for under a pound
  • Fire_Fox wrote: »
    I use toilet bombs that fizz up and remove dirt and limescale under the waterline, I then slosh the liquid around the pan with the loo brush to clean that before flushing. Home Bargains seem to stock the cheapest.
    I saw Kim and Aggie use 2 of those tablets that you use for hangovers.
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  • Where would I buy Spirit of Salt please?
  • MrsE_2
    MrsE_2 Posts: 24,162 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Where would I buy Spirit of Salt please?

    I used to buy it in a hardware store, you won't get it in the supermarket.
  • Seakay
    Seakay Posts: 4,269 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    According to n earlier thread it was sold in Robert Dyas in 2006, but you had to ask for it.
    If you Google Spirit of salt buy then several options come up.
  • daska
    daska Posts: 6,212 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Spirits of Salt: Open the window, put on the fan, slosh it down the pan, close the lid and run... the best time to use spirits of salt is when everyone is going away for a night, I use it whenever we move into a new place and without fail, if there's someone there, they want to use the toilet 5 minutes later.
    Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants - Michael Pollan
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  • Brooktop
    Brooktop Posts: 124 Forumite
    The problem with things like caustic soda that dissolve the gunk is that they can reform further down the pipe. If you can get at gunk/hair plugs, fish them out yourself. Failing that, get a decent plunger. If your toilet bowl is discoloured, it's because of limescale build up - so the safest things are vinegar or citric acid. Leave to work for a while eg overnight and then scrub with a loo brush. Stop limescale building up in future in plugholes/drains and the toilet by putting a mugful of soda crystals down and leave to dissolve. Do this about once a fortnight or weekly if you live in a hard water area.
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