Liquid Plumber Substitutes

Written By
Penelope Dene
Penelope Dene
Published: Nov 8, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Save your family from harsh fumes and save your pipes from damage by trying something other than Liquid Plumber to clear your drain.

Salt and Water

If the clog is mild, mix 1/2 cup salt with 4 liters of hot water. Pour down the drain.

Baking Soda, Vinegar and Water

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar, and cover the drain with a rag for 10 minutes. Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush. If you have plastic pipes, do not use boiling water; use hot water instead.

Dishwashing Liquid

Squirt dishwashing liquid down a clogged sink. Immediately pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. If you have plastic pipes, do not use boiling water; use hot water.

Advertisement

Plunger

Close the drain and overflow hole so that you can fill up a tub or sink. Fill the basin with 2 to 3 inches of water. Put petroleum jelly around the edges of a plunger. Release the drain and push the plunger down on the clogged drain and release quickly. Continue until the drain unclogs.

Penelope Dene

Penelope Dene has been writing since 1994. Published on various websites, Dene holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ithaca College and is an American Council on Exercise certified group fitness instructor.

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.