Will a Can of Cola Really Clean Drains?

Drains, clogged pipes

Will a Can of Cola Really Clean Drains?

Clogged drains can sometimes get the best of us. Backed-up sinks, mystery odors, and malfunctioning disposals are at the top of the worst pains on a homeowner’s list.

Whether your blockage is in a toilet or a sink, most homeowners always look for a quick and cheap DIY fix, but can you really unclog a drain with Cola? 

There are countless rumors about the DIY uses for Cola. From cleaning streets to eliminating corrosion from vehicle batteries, Cola seems like a simple and affordable tool for daily maintenance,  but what about the clogged drain in your house?

Will Cola Work on My Pipes?

Cola utilizes phosphoric acid to produce the tangy, semi-addicting flavor everyone loves. In addition, phosphoric acid in massive concentrations can scrub the rust off metal components. It also removes tough limescale and cleans the most ruthless of toilet scum. In our drinking soda, the small concentrations have only a mild, very small amount of corrosive ability.

Because the phosphoric acid present in our Cola is so small, it isn’t the best option for unclogging your drain. 

Cola might work under these situations:

  • Your drain is fully clogged. This is because Cola requires a really long time to act. It has to penetrate the clog for extended periods. If your drain is somewhat partially clogged, the Cola will quickly pass through the drainpipe without showing any effect.
  • The sink does not have stagnant water. Stagnant water in your sink will dilute the Cola. Very small amounts of acid present in the soda will further be even less efficient with added water.
  • You have to wait for a long time. Ideally, you must leave the Cola overnight. However, if you truly want to try this hack, bring a 2-liter bottle of Cola to room temperature. Then, pour the entire bottle down the drain and wait for at least 2 hours (it’s best if you can leave it for the entire night). Finally, pour boiling water down the drain to check if it worked.

A Better DIY Drain Cleaner

First, a note on commercial drain cleaners. These use sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide to clear backed-up pipes. These are extremely corrosive, heavy-duty chemicals. In addition, they cause more harm to your pipes down the road. Proficient Plumbing Solutions (the best plumbing repair installation and maintenance service provider in Texas) advises you to avoid commercial drain cleaners.

To unclog a drain, there’s a much faster, easier, and more efficient solution.

  • Turn off the power at your disposal. Turn it off or unplug it from the circuit breaker.
  • Inspect the disposal with a flashlight. Clear all the obvious clogs with tools, if you are not able to clear them with your fingers.
  • If you do not see an open clog, use a sink plunger. Pour water into the sink to make the plunging more efficient.
  • Try a DIY cleaner that actually works. Mix one part baking soda with one part vinegar and pour it down the drains. Wait for 30 minutes before throwing warm water down the disposal to flush out any broken-down trash.
  • Turn the power back on and check if it works. 

Preventing Kitchen Drain Clogs

Don’t use the disposal as a trash can. Mostly we put anything and everything related to food down the drains. Some things must not go down there:

  • Fibrous foods, like celery, asparagus, or sprouts
  • Fats, oils, and grease
  • Eggshells
  • Coffee grinds
  • Bones
  • Starchy food, like peels, beans, rice, or pasta
  • Non-food items
  • Use a sufficient amount of water. Without continuously flushing water, food & other waste builds up & cause those annoying clogs. So always keep a good flow of cold water before and after putting your food portions down the disposal.
  • Keep those “blades” sharp. Try placing some ice cubes down your drains once every month. Running your disposal with ice cubes can help keep the “blades” (technically, impellers) in proper shape.
  • Don’t expect a lifetime commitment. Pipes and disposals aren’t resistant to wear and tear. If you notice consistent issues, it’s time to call in the pros to discuss necessary repairs or replacements.

At Proficient Plumbing Solutions, we love hearing about our customer’s DIY success stories. Most of the time, things don’t go according to plan but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’re the best at providing plumbing services in Texas and we can handle clogs (or any other plumbing problems) of any size. Give us a call today at 512.269.0209!

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