Down The Drain
June 27th, 2007 by FiddledeedeeWhenever I’m feeling, um, sluggish, I chug a big glass of water laced with a
teaspoon or so of orange flavored Metamucil. I don’t call it Metamucil, though. I refer to it as my Drain-O. It works in the same manner.
Don’t worry, my WFMW topic is not on constipation. Although, I’m not above it. Next week? You never know.
Today, I’d like to tell you about a sure fire way to clean out your drains. For free. FREE? Oh yes, my thrifty friends. Drain-O, the one for the actual drain, can be a little pricey. And I’ve heard it’s rotten for the environment. I’ve already done enough to upset the ecology of the planet. What with all hair dye I’ve washed down the drains. And I won’t even talk about what I’ve attributed to the land fill with disposable diapers, plus other unmentionables. So, I try to be ecologically minded whenever possible.
Recently, my bathroom sink drain was stopped up. And not just slow, but had come to a full and complete stop. For some odd reason, everyone in the house tends to gravitate to my sink. I tried one of the “homemade” drain relief recipes. But frankly, the sink just started bubbling and foaming at the mouth and it scared me. And it didn’t work.
I went outside and grabbed the garden hose. It became a family effort. The hose didn’t quite reach the drain, so we had to get creative. We threaded the drain through the crack in the master bedroom door, and then through the crack in the bathroom door, and that gave us the extra two feet we needed to reach the drain. One family member positioned himself at the water spout. One stood at the back door, another by the bedroom door. I manned the business end of the hose. I shoved the hose down into the sink drain, and placed a washcloth around it to force all water into the drain, and covered the overflow hole with another washcloth. Then I yelled “LET HER RIP,” and my command was passed down through the ranks to the faucet controller. Within moments, my sink was draining smoothly.
One word of caution. Always, let me repeat, always check your garden hose to make certain the no creature of the lizard variety has taken up residence, BEFORE you bring said hose into the house. I’m just sayin’.
For more Works For Me Wednesday tips, head over to Rocks In My Dryer.
Posted in Works For Me Wednesday | 21 Comments »
June 27th, 2007 at 2:56 am
I’ve heard COCA-COLA works too… never tried it though
June 27th, 2007 at 5:39 am
Int..er..esting.
May I also suggest you make sure your drain does n’t have one of those thingsat the bottom that keeps the big stuff out, and that it doesn’t leak because the kids left it out when the husband was mowing, and that …. Um, I thinkl maybe I better stick with Enzymatic therapy for drains–it works and though not free it keeps my house from all kinds of water related issues that would happen if OUR hose made it’s way into the house. 
June 27th, 2007 at 5:55 am
ROFL! I can just picture the scene here in my own house!
June 27th, 2007 at 6:38 am
I’m thinkin that could have backfired. But it didn’t. And now you are a genius. Way to go!
June 27th, 2007 at 7:01 am
Talk about team work!!
I am going to keep this idea in mind. Thank you.
June 27th, 2007 at 7:11 am
My mom’s bathroom sink does the same thing – only it’s quite often. Her pipes in the wall run more parallel to the floor than they should (running right behind the potty).
So, since the pipes can’t drain straight down, this has been the preferred method of “de-clogging” mom’s bathroom sink since before I can remember. All I know is that when I got old enough to run the knob (starting and stoping the water), that had been my job. Although, since I married C, I’ve moved up. I’m now at the back door (the only person between the knob and the bathroom). GO ME!!!!! HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
June 27th, 2007 at 8:36 am
I never would have thought about that. My luck though it wouldn’t work for me.
I use 1/4 cup baking soda and…oh I forget the amount…vinegar. It bubbles but cleans it? Oh my yes.
June 27th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Wow – that’s creative! I’m glad it worked. Since you mentioned it… anyone who is interested in what works for constipation can check out http://nomoreconstipation.net
June 27th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Now THAT’S good for the environment! But not good for a lizard…..
June 27th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Hmm, that is a new one! Hey, if I use cloth diapers am I pardoned for using drain-o?
June 27th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Very interesting. Metamucil tastes much better when mixed into a smoothie. That’s what Dr. Oz from Oprah says to do every morning for breakfast to keep your poo s-shaped. Have I said too much? Am I the only one who watches him on Oprah?
June 27th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
You. Crack. Me. Up.
Seriously.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Guess what, my husband and I have done this…to our kitchen sink…and it worked!
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who comes up with these hairbrain ideas.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
LOL! What a great tip…..
June 27th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Now THAT is creative.
June 27th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I forgot about the whole spider incidence and showed up over here, but I didn’t scroll down enough to see that monstrosity.
I’m glad I came over, because that is a great idea! We seem to have someone who likes to wet toilette paper and fill up my drain. We pull most of it out, but its not easy to get it all!
June 27th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
I’m still freaking out about the whole spider thingy. Now I’m thinking about a water-logged lizard. Lol!
June 27th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
oh my yes….I so needed that smile. Thanks! I can always count on you!
June 28th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
We use a plunger on the sink when it gets clogged. It works great too.
June 29th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I haven’t been reading much blog lately, but I got this one in my email box and had to comment.
It is too cute.
My kids rock out to all kinds of music – my son is a Techno freak. I hessitate to share some of the tune titles because they aren’t your average Sunday morning K-LOVE line-up.
But since you can talk about Hammer, I guess Techno isn’t all that much of a stigma. 
ROCK ON, BABY. Rock on!
Love in Him,
Heather Bee
http://www.sbees.blogspot.com
June 29th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Yes, I commented on the wrong post.
Now you know what my last week and a half has been like.
Ugh.