Once a week, run hot tap water down your kitchen and bathroom drains for a minute or two. In the kitchen, it helps rinse away grease before it hardens inside the pipes. In the bathroom, it helps flush away soap residue that can trap hair and other debris. It's a simple habit that only takes a minute but can help keep your drains working their best.
Two Weekly Habits That Keep Your Drains Flowing
It's funny how we rarely think about our drains until the water starts backing up. I've learned that a couple of simple habits can prevent most of those slow-drain headaches before they ever happen.
This week's handy hints are all about keeping things flowing smoothly without spending money on harsh chemicals or an expensive plumber.
Be Well,
Anisa
Flush Your Drains With Hot Water Weekly
Use a Sink Strainer in Every Drain
One inexpensive sink strainer can save you from a lot of frustration. In the kitchen, it catches food scraps before they wash down the drain. In the bathroom, it keeps hair from collecting in the pipes. Empty it regularly and you'll greatly reduce the chance of stubborn clogs that can lead to costly plumbing repairs.
For shower and bathroom drains specifically, hair is the number one culprit for clogs, and even a strainer won't catch it all — a flexible drain snake tool can pull out buildup a strainer misses. Fair warning: what you pull up may make you gag!
Got a handy tip of your own?
Reply back to Anisa, she loves reading your emails.
This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →