## Does Drano Work for Kitchen Sinks?
Drano is a brand name for a powerful drain cleaner that is commonly used to unclog drains in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of the home. The active ingredient in Drano is sodium hydroxide, which is a highly caustic substance that can dissolve grease, hair, and other organic materials that can clog drains.
While Drano can be effective at unclogging drains, it is important to use it with caution. Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive substance that can damage pipes and fixtures if it is not used properly. It is also important to avoid contact with skin and eyes, as sodium hydroxide can cause burns.
### How to Use Drano Safely
If you decide to use Drano to unclog a drain, be sure to follow the instructions on the package carefully. Here are some general tips for using Drano safely:
* **Wear gloves and eye protection.** Sodium hydroxide can cause burns, so it is important to protect your skin and eyes when using Drano.
* **Ventilate the area.** Drano fumes can be irritating, so it is important to ventilate the area where you are using it.
* **Pour Drano slowly down the drain.** Do not pour Drano down the drain all at once, as this can cause the drain to overflow. Instead, pour it slowly and carefully.
* **Wait 15 minutes.** After pouring Drano down the drain, wait 15 minutes before running water. This will give the Drano time to work.
* **Run hot water down the drain.** After waiting 15 minutes, run hot water down the drain to flush out the Drano and any remaining clogs.
### When Not to Use Drano
Drano is not suitable for all drains. For example, it should not be used in drains that are made of aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel. Drano can also damage septic tanks and garbage disposals.
If you are unsure whether Drano is safe to use in your drain, it is best to consult with a plumber.
### Alternatives to Drano
There are a number of alternative methods that you can try to unclog a drain before resorting to Drano. Here are a few suggestions:
* **Baking soda and vinegar.** Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water.
* **Plunger.** A plunger can be effective at unclogging drains that are clogged with hair or other small objects. To use a plunger, place the plunger over the drain and push and pull it up and down several times.
* **Drain snake.** A drain snake is a long, flexible tool that can be used to remove clogs from deep within the drain. To use a drain snake, insert the snake into the drain and turn the handle to feed the snake into the drain. Once the snake reaches the clog, use the handle to pull the clog out of the drain.
If you have tried the above methods and have been unable to unclog the drain, you may need to call a plumber.