Pipes and Clogged Drains

• Clogged drain clearer
  1/2 cup (150g) salt
  1 cup (220g) baking soda
  1 quart (1 liter) boiling water
  
  When the kitchen sink is slow to drain, a sludgy build-up in the pipes may be the culprit. Let a trusted combination of salt and baking soda take the place of harsh chemicals that may be bad for the pipes. Pour the salt down the problem drain, followed by the baking soda. Let this mixture sit for several hours (overight is best). Follow this up by pouring the boiling water down the drain to rinse it free of sediment.

• Drain clearer
  1/2 cup (110g) baking soda
  1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
  2 quarts (2 liters) water
  
  A slow moving drain can be a harbinger of bigger problems unless it's dealt with swiftly. But before you pour harsh chemicals down the drain, give this easy, natural formula a try: Start by pouring the baking soda in to the problem drain, followed by the vinegar and let sit for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring the water to a boil. After 15 minutes, pour the boiling water down the drain. Repeat monthly to keep your drain clean and smelling fresh.

• showerhead lime-deposit remover
  1 cup (250ml) vinegar
  
  Over time, mineral deposits can block the small nozzles of your showerhead and affect water pressure, but a 12-hour soak in vinegar can do wonders to get rid of them. Soak a clean washcloth in 1 cup (250ml) vinegar and wrap it around the showerhead. Alternately, you can give the fixture a direct soaking by filling a 1-gallon plastic bag with vinegar and affixing it to the fixture with some duct tape (to hold it in place). Let sit overnight and then remove. Your morning shower should be noticeably improved.