Blocked and slow drains are a nuisance for any homeowner, but you may not need to call a professional plumber just yet.

Your first thought might be to buy a commercial drain cleaner; however, these cleaners have harsh chemicals that can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. 

Alternatively, households may look to use baking soda and white vinegar, however, some cleaning fans have claimed this method hasn’t been effective for them and have instead recommended another home remedy.

Taking to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, Jennifer Bone asked: “What is the best thing/product to unblock a bath drain, please? Ours is getting slower and slower at draining water.”

The majority of group members recommended Jennifer use soda crystals – even a plumber agreed with this.

Helen Kitchen wrote: “I’ve just tried bicarbonate soda and white vinegar with hot water and it didn’t work so I gave soda crystals a go and it seems to have worked well.”

Kerry Austin said: “Soda crystals are magic. It’s the best thing ever for baths and showers.”

Sarah Gardner commented: “Soda crystals, then pour boiling water into the drain. I do all mine once a week.”

Karen Rae wrote: “Soda crystals in down the drain, leave overnight and just rinse down the drain. It’s an easy fix for me every time and cheap as well.”

Alternatively, Mrs Hinch fans also recommended using a drain snake – especially if there is hair is causing a blockage.

Debra Hayman insisted: “You need one of those drain snakes that remove hair. Try that before throwing all the chemicals down. Physically removing the hair is the best solution.”

Wendy Adams wrote: “I got a thing off Amazon it’s like a wire and you twist it in and then pull it up – it brings all the old hair up with it and then it drains better.”

Christine Pitt said: “You need to buy a drain snake if all else fails.” Households can pick up a drain snake from B&Q for £12.99 or from Wickes for £13.50.