How Green Is It… To Use a Drain Cleaner?

by The Green Living Detective 11,428 views8

how green is it to use a drain cleaner

We’ve all been there. There’s something clogged in the drain, and Drano is clearly the cheapest and easiest option.

First launched in 1923 and appearing in its current commercial form since 1969, Drano is under nearly every sink in the country.

Commercial drain cleaners claim their products are safe for septic systems, won’t harm your pipes and if used appropriately, they won’t have a huge effect on the environment.

Actually… that last part is true.

Although Drano isn’t technically considered a pollutant, all sorts of dangerous toxins can form (including Mustard gas) if it comes into contact with surface water.

But the truth is, Drano doesn’t have a terrible effect on the natural environment, especially when compared to other household cleaning products. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with our own health and safety.

The bottle is plastered with health and safety warnings and scored an F on EWGs Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Drain cleaners have links to skin irritation, vision problems, vomiting, shock, nose and throat irritation, chest pains and even chemical burns.

Worse, Drano has been misused and abused in the creation of methamphetamine and doesn’t currently have the same regulations like ephedrine/pseudo-ephedrine products.

Blatant examples of greenwashing abound on nearly all commercial drain cleaners, and plumbers and other professionals all agree on using Drano… If you can’t clean out your drain physically, don’t use a chemical solution.

So… How Green is it to Use a Drain Cleaner?

Not-So-Green

Best Green Solution: As with many things, preventative care is best. Don’t wait until water pools in the sink to take care of business. Try one of the plumber-endorsed, eco-friendly solutions below. Or, you can always use a handful of baking soda and a half cup of vinegar followed by slowly pouring boiling water down the drain.

Don’t be tempted: To use a harsh, toxic, unsafe chemical product for clogged drains, especially when there are other effective options out there.



The Green Living Detective

One day, I just couldn't wash out the squishy peanut butter jar one more time. But I didn't know what was the most responsible way to get rid of it. So, I became the Green Living Detective. I spend the time doing rigorous research on green living questions so you don't have to. When I'm not the Green Living Detective, I am an environmental copywriter and mom of one kiddo who holds me to higher green living standards than I might do on my own. Progress Over Perfection, I keep telling her.

Comments (8)

  1. Hello greenlivingdetective.com webmaster, Thanks for the informative post!

  2. I agree that drano shouldn’t touch surface water. I need to unclog some pipes in my house. I’ll have to hire a plumber to snake everything out.I agree that drano shouldn’t touch surface water. I need to unclog some pipes in my house. I’ll have to hire a plumber to snake everything out. https://associatedmechanical.com/specialties/

  3. Thrift Drain is a very good cleaner. thanks for this cool guide.

  4. I’ve been having issues with my drains getting clogged, and I’m not sure what the problem is. It makes sense that it could be something more! I’ll be sure to work with a professional to see if they can clean it out for me. https://www.snbcservices.com/drain-cleaning

  5. Wow, I never knew just how harsh these products can be to your drains, especially if you use them constantly. With the number of times we’ve used these to solve our drain clogs, I am starting to feel slightly afraid of the current state of our pipes. I’ll hire a professional plumber to do some inspections and replace any pipes that might have already been damaged, along with making sure we never use these kinds of products in the future.

    https://www.aspenplumbingjackson.com/

  6. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article. I recently bought a new drain cleaner. I learned from your article how to use a drain cleaner which helped me a lot. Thank you very much ..!
    take a look at the site here https://cleaninglounge.co.uk/best-drain-unblocker/ hopes it helps you

  7. I’ll agree to use eco-friendly solutions that plumbers approve. I think the first time I’ll have a plumber clean my drain. They could show me what works best for me drain.
    https://www.brucesdraincleaning.com/services

  8. I was surprised when you said that drain cleaners have been tied to issues like chemical burns and skin irritation. I was thinking about getting a chemical cleaner from the store because my kitchen sink got clogged yesterday evening. Thanks for helping me see why hiring a professional drain cleaning service instead would be worth the cost! https://www.jarrachcesspool.com/sewer-and-drain-cleaning https://www.jarrachcesspool.com/sewer-and-drain-cleaning

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