Clearing a clogged drain can be irritating, yet it’s possible to clear it yourself without resorting to harsh chemicals if you stick to one golden rule.

A natural cleaning solution like vinegar and baking soda is often touted as an eco-friendly cleaner for removing stains.

However, a cleaner has issued a warning about mixing these two substances when dealing with clogged pipes.

Kacie, the founder of The Big Clean Co and a cleaning whizz, pointed out: “I think the people doing this miss the day we mixed these in high school science because while baking soda is a great cleaner and vinegar is a great cleaner, they are opposite each other on the pH scale.”

This means that whilst they’re superb for general cleaning tasks, vinegar and baking soda just don’t cut it when it comes to dissolving the gunk like grease, food residue, hair or fats lodged in your drains.

All that will be achieved is a fizzy concoction that fails to dislodge blockages. Instead of reaching for bleach, the most effective DIY method actually involves using soda crystals.

In the online community Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips, a member queried how best to unclog her draining system after vinegar and baking soda proved ineffective.

She posted: “What’s the best way to unblock plugholes? I’ve noticed the water is going really slow down now, I’ve tried white vinegar and baking soda. I don’t want to use harsh chemicals either.”

A fellow group user suggested: “Try using soda crystals and boiling water.” Another member of the community recommended: “Use soda crystals. Pack them in and then 10 minutes later pour boiling water over them.”

A different user chimed in: “Soda crystals are the most natural method I’ve found.”

A fourth cleaning fan said: “A big bag of it is like £2 in the Sainsbury’s and you only need to use a quarter of it.” This works out as 50p per use.

Being highly alkaline, soda crystals can break down the acidic components typically found in grease and fats as well as other organic materials that may be causing blockages in your drain.

Simply start by pouring a substantial quantity of soda crystals straight into the drain, then get your kettle to boil.

Carefully pour the boiling water down the drain, which helps dissolve the soda crystals, enhancing their grease-dissolving power.

It’s advisable to let the mixture work its magic for at least 10 to 30 minutes, although leaving it longer can yield better results. If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn clog, letting soda crystals sit overnight is the way to go.

Once enough time has passed, flush the drain with more hot water to clear out the now-liquefied grease and debris.

Not only are soda crystals impressively effective, but they’re also remarkably cheap and widely available in most supermarkets.