Households urged to pour vinegar down shower drains

If you don't clear out your shower drains every once in a while, you could end up with some costly issues later down the line. Shower drains can get blocked with hair, soap or general build up, so it's crucial to take care of them before it's too late.

Cleaning your shower drain is easy, yet it's a job that can often get forgotten. While some expensive chemical cleaning products can come in handy, Britons may be surprised a simple low-cost solution can work just as well. Experts at Blockbusters say vinegar is an ideal cleaning solution for drains. They said: "A concoction of white vinegar, baking soda, and hot water will help to eliminate odours from smelly shower drains effectively, as well as removing a buildup of grease, bacteria, and any other biological material residue as long as the blockage is not severe."

It recommends pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a half cup of white vinegar.

You should then cover the drain and let the mixture fizz away for around 15 minutes.

After this, follow it up by pouring some boiling water down the drain to fully flush the drain out and clear the material from sitting at the bottom of the drain, it suggests.

Blockbusters experts added: "Not only can this mixture remedy smelly shower drains, but it can also be used to clean drain openings, remove bacteria, and remove mineral deposits from your taps and faucets."

It's important to note that this method will not work with severely blocked drains and where this is the case, you will likely need to seek professional advice.

You most likely won't be able to see if your shower drain is blocked from above but it's important to look for any signs. For example, this could include bad smells or the water not draining well when you shower.

By following this cleaning tip, you can avoid any costly repair work.