White vinegar and baking soda are hailed for their eco-friendly properties, as well as being affordable.

However, when it comes to drains, these two ingredients are a big no-no.

Mark McShane, plumbing and heating expert from Boiler Cover UK, has warned people it could cause damage and costly repairs.

The expert said: “Using this mixture too often will corrode your pipes and harm your plumbing system.

“A lot of people use baking soda and vinegar for household cleaning because they say it is a cheaper and easier option than buying loads of expensive cleaning products.

“It’s true that this combination can work for some jobs, but you do have to remember it’s a chemical reaction.

“When the acetic acid in the vinegar mixes with the sodium bicarbonate in the baking soda, it produces foam by releasing carbon dioxide gas, water and other by-products.”

While this reaction can clean pipes, it can also damage rubber seals and the pipes themselves, especially in older systems.

Instead, Mark recommended using dedicated cleaning products that are safe and proven to work.

For severe damages, Britons should call a local plumber to prevent further damage.

Kitchen and bathroom drains can clog easily over time with grease, dirt, food waste and hair.

To keep them working smoothly, the expert suggested cleaning drains every one to two weeks.

He also listed items which should never be poured down drains including grease, eggshell fragments, coffee grounds, hair products and starchy food scraps.

The plumbing pro added: “Clogged pipes will show signs of gurgling, slow draining water, stains around the drain, bad smells and residue in the water. Keep an eye out for these.”