Plugholes - beyond YUK !

morganlefay

We have just moved, and are reeling from it all. All the plugholes in our 'new' (not new) house have what looks like hair stuck in them, black and very evil looking. They completely disgust me, but I can't get rid of it. Rubber gloves and trying to pick it out with a screwdriver doesn't work, nor does Buster drain stuff (leave it overnight, run hot water down it) nor does vinegar or anything else. I am about to try brillo pads but it makes me feel sick just looking at it. Is there some better remedy that I just haven't thought of - preferably not hideously expensive ? Oh I do hope there is :eek:

PasturesNew

I'd try some Veet/similar stuff that dissolves lady hair on legs and faces

morganlefay

Thanks Pasturesnew - I will try that tho I'm not sure it actually is hair - the house had been empty for a couple of years and I keep thinking it's something growing up the drains (tho I know it can't be) yeuch.....

krlyr

Get on Amazon and look up "Sink Snake" - bendy with of wire with velcro on the end. You could even make your own, but at 99p for 2 I'm not sure you could make them as cheaply on a one-off. It'll grab hold of any hair/gunk down the drains so you can pull it all out (wear gloves to get it off the velcro pad - that's the worst bit of the job)

Scrapaholic

Have you tried thick bleach . Put it onto a pad of cotton wool , fit it into the plug hole and leave overnight . I can clean out my own plug holes, shower traps etc as it's our hair , wearing rubber gloves though ! When we go on hols I don't inspect the plugs too thoroughly . Mostly they're clean but it's only recently that I've stopped taking a small bottle of concentrated disinfectant with me . I hate seeing hair that isn't mine in hotel sinks or beds when they're meant to be clean. I can't sit in a bath that isn't mine either . If the plug hole won't come clean I think the unit can be replaced without having to get a whole new sink . Makes me feel sick too just to think about it . Good luck in your new home.

Dippypud

Caustic soda...

http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_6557608_caustic-soda-drain-cleaning.html

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/37983#Comment_37983

go for it...but please read the safety stuff...coz it can hurt you.

valk_scot

Crochet hook for hooking it out and have a pair of scissors handy for snipping the hairs tangled round the crossbars of the drain hole. Actually I have to say the best thing for dehairing plug holes is your little finger if it will fit through the gaps but of course you have to work in bare hands and even I would only be prepared to do that in our own bath drain clogged with our own hair! And not when I'd been pouring chemicals down it. It's only hair and soap scum after all and if you do it regularly...

But otherwise yes, caustic soda. With care, with gloves and with sfety goggles if you have them.

HeadAboveWater

I'm the one (that drew the short straw!!) that cleans the shower since I moved in with OH. With me and 3 DDs this is a daunting task which can be somewhat gross to put it mildly...!

I've found an old toothbrush works wonders. It gets into the places other things can't, catches on the hair, rotate the brush several times... and get ready to heave!! :eek:

Dippypud

Once you've done the nasty deed...

make your life easier, put one of these in...

http://www.google.co.uk/#q=plug+hole+hair+catcher&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=KttEUP3iFKGM0wW684DICA&sqi=2&ved=0CDwQrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=62a326c52bbb1562&biw=1280&bih=683

Take_it_like_a_man,_sonny

You need a power plunger, like this.

Fill with water and squirt into plug hole. Cover the overflow though.
http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/monument-mon1452-1452b-641-95439

Takes two or three boots to clear.

Also, afterwards can be adapted and used as a squirt pistol that far outreeaches anything you get in the shops

splodger_seedswapper

i use a vwp solution to clean plug holes / drains etc - in fact i use vwp for just about everything in my house (when i clean, which isn't as often as it should be )

i primarily use it for the cleaning and sterilising for my homebrewing - but it's magic for working on so many other things - especially floors, limescale, windows etc - can go in wash mac, great for sterilising chopping boards etc i even use a solution in a spray bottle, for wiping surfaces down - actually i use it everywhere that needs a good clean

best thing is - it's not badly priced (about £5 for 400g) and as it comes in powder form - you can make up any strength you need from it :T

a 400g tub by the way - will make upto 120 gallons of cleaner / steriliser