Utterly disgusting plugholes, can I use lav cleaner ?

potbelly

anotheruser wrote: »

DO NOT USE CAUSTIC SODA on copper pipes.
It will erode them on the inside and will have to be replaced after. Soda Crystals will do the job or baking soda and vinegar, but all of this shouldn't be needed with a good splash of boiling water.

I would be very surprised to find copper being used for waste pipes. They are normally plastic in modern homes, or ceramic or cast iron in older properties. Copper is used for supply pipes.

So using Caustic soda would not present a problem, apart from the usual precautions when using 'nasty' substances. As others have already said, soda crystals and boiling water are very effective, and very cheap.

System

I'd use soda crystals and boiling water and leave it overnight.

swedwards

Stick with soda crystals and DON'T use strong lav cleaner - it strips the chrome and marks stainless steel on your kitchen drainer !!

stingyscot

Absolutely do NOT use toilet cleaner. As others have said, it strips the chrome off the plughole and now all ours need replacing. But they can't be replaced without moving the sink pedestal...and it can't be removed without pulling up the flooring

System

I don't have gunk because periodically I use soda crystals and boiling water.:)

morganlefay

Ok, I hear you, I won't put Harpic down it and might bravely get OH to use the Lakeland thing, then we'll see ! Thank to everyone for ideas and things to avoid. :beer:

marmiterulesok

I use vinegar and bicarb,leave it for a few hours and then have the hot water tap on for a bit,but I have also unscrewed the U-bend to clean it out and clean further up the pipe towards the plughole.Unscrewing the U-bend and having a more thorough clean is definitely worth it.Put a bucket underneath,let the water run and put what flows out down the toilet.I used hot water from the tap to rinse out,along with Q-tips and an old toothbrush up round where the join is of the U-bend,or a gloved finger.Boiling water is a good idea-I hadn't thought of that.
It does turn my stomach a bit,all the black gunk that there is,but it's an oddly satisfying task.
I also regularly check on the plug and clean it out with Q-tips and running water,to get all the gunk and hairs off the hair-trap,then leave it overnight in a mixture of water and bleach.
I hate it when the bathroom sink is unclean!
I don't have a good sense of smell,and often worry that there are unpleasant odours in the bathroom that I'm not aware of,so I like to do this quite regularly.

IDProtected

Mix the soda crystals with some salt before putting them down the plughole, they will help to do a bit of scrubbing when the vinegar goes down. Remember to finish with boiling water!


Best of luck:beer:

JIL

I used the Mr Muscle sink and drain stuff. It seemed to work really well. I wonder what hotels use?

DianneB

Judi wrote: »

I did, it discoloured the chrome. Persevere with soda crystals. Bleach also discoloured the chrome.

Me too. It took the chrome finish off down to the brass.