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How To Flush a Drain

By Sarah Aguirre, About.com

Photo Credit: Simon Battensby/Getty Images

Photo Credit: Simon Battensby/Getty Images

Weekly Drain Maintenance:

Once a week, flush your drain by boiling a large pot of water. Pour one half of the pot down the drain. Wait 5 minutes and pour the rest down the drain.

Monthly Drain Maintenance:

Use an enzymatic cleaner once a month to keep your drains fresh and clean. My favorite is Bi-O-Kleen's Bacout Stain and Odor Eliminator. Using this, or another enzyme cleaner, once a month will help maintain your drain and keep odors out.

Drains With Disposals:

Running ice cubes and orange peels through a garbage disposal is a great way to knock of any residue on your disposal blades. To freshen a disposal drain put slices of citrus peels through the disposal. Make sure to slice the peels, because large peels can jam a disposal.

Seasonal Drain Maintenace:

2-3 times a year, flush the drain with baking soda and vinegar. Run hot water down the drain. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar with the hot water down the drain.

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