Keep Drains Clear With a Monthly Hot Water Flush

Most drain clogs aren't accidents — they're buildup that grew for a year. A two-minute monthly habit keeps kitchen and bathroom drains flowing without chemicals.

The routine

1. Squirt a generous amount of dish soap down the drain.
2. Follow with a kettle of hot — near boiling — water, poured slowly.
3. Let it sit 10 minutes, then run the tap hot for a minute.

The soap cuts the grease film that traps hair and gunk on the pipe walls. Do the kitchen sink, tubs, and bathroom sinks on the first of the month and you'll plunge a fraction as often. Skip the boiling water if you have PVC pipes that are old or joints you're unsure of — very hot tap water still helps.