Traditional drain cleaners are typically bad stuff. If we read the directions on most of the labels, it’ll no doubt say “Open carefully. Do not squeeze bottle. Avoid splashing. Clean up spills at once. Keep hands, face, children and pets away from drains while using…”

They are usually caustic lye or acids, sometimes can burn through rubber gloves, and can be extremely toxic. There are alternatives that are as effective, cheaper, and safer for humans, pipes, and the environment.

Before using any of these toxic chemicals, first try any of these natural alternative remedies for unclogging a drain:

• Try a good old-fashioned plunger. Experts say that the plunger works best on the suction (up) cycle as opposed to the pushing (down) cycle. It’s easier to pull the clog free from the drain than it is to push it through the drain: once the clog has budged, it’s more likely to be broken up, but shoved further into the drain, it may just pick up more detritus and become more firmly lodged in the pipe.
• Try Enzymes. There are some commercial drain cleaners that use enzymes or bacteria rather than lye or acids and are eco-friendly. The enzyme cleaners (Earth Friendly is one brand) are supposedly not as effective as bacterial cleaners such as Drainbo. Drainbo® offers quality products that are all natural, nontoxic and 100% safe to the environment.
• Try pouring two active dry yeast packets down the clogged drain with two cups hot water and let it sit overnight.  The live cultures in the yeast will work on breaking up the gunk.
• Try pouring a two-liter bottle of coke (not diet) down the clogged drain and let sit.
• Try pouring 1 cup of baking soda down the clogged drain followed by 2-3 cups boiling water.  Follow that up with a cup of white vinegar.