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Given what's already failed, you need to go to the hardware store and get a "snake."

Your problem is most likely a mass of hair or some other fiber, and non-toxic cleaners won't have the slightest effect on that.

I agree with Wende, you probably have a clog, so go get a snake and clear the drain. Then do the vinegar and baking soda thing once a month to keep the drains clear.

I've used some enzyme stuff when bs/vinegar/boiling water didn't work:
http://store.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=5501-04018-0000

That seemed to clear it up.

Also, at times I've had to do 2-3 runs with bs/vin/boiling water, with a giant pot of water instead of a teapot full so that might also solve your problem if you haven't tried repeat/more quantity yet.

we tried the vinegar and baking soda a couple more times, followed by 4 kettles full of boiling water down the drain. it still didn't work and i gave up and got ready to make a trip to the hardware store. then my boyfriend grabbed an empty plastic bottle and filled it with hot water and squirted it down the drain, then used the bottle to plunger-suck everything back up. after doing this for a couple minutes all this black junk came back up into the sink and the drain was cleared! it was really gross.

that got me to thinking about an infomercial i saw about an air compressor that shoots air down the drain to clear it. has anyone used one of those? after this experience i'd think it would work like a charm!

I have long hair so no matter how careful I am, I always have hair clogs in the shower and bathroom sink. When regular plunging doesn't work I also use Earth Enzymes. I find that this keeps my drains running clear most of the time. Earth Enzymes breaks down organic debris that can clog drains (like hair). It will also break down grease and soap build up which narrows drain openings and increases the likelihood of a clog. I'm totally sold on this stuff!

I forgot about the plunger - I've gone that route also with (disgusting) success! (Although once it was because I think I'd blocked it up with *BS* because I put too much in the drain.)

Go buy a Zip-It drain cleaner from hardware store. It costs less that $2.50 and it's the only thing that works on long hair. It's a little less gross than the plunger.

My boyfriend and I have been using DrainBo for nearly a year for the same kind of clogs and are quite happy with its results.

http://drainbo.com/

Erin -- We tried the air compressor method on what turned out to be fibrous food debris. Don't bother. The only thing that worked on that clog was snaking it, and I know this because we tried everything else first.

my dad actually bought a professional grade air cannon drain thing that is awesome -- i've used it a number of times and it always works like a charm. he had a cheapie one that was so so and eventually broke, but this one hasn't failed my parents or me yet.

My friend swears by the air gun route. I usually go with a plunger because it seems to work much the same way.

Using air pressure to clean pipes can be risky. Depending on the condition or type of pipe you run the risk of blowing apart connections.

Roto-rooter will take care of it. They will also recommend enzymes which can be applied at the end of the night which will ooze their way through the pipes eating away organic debris.

I lived with five girls for a year, in college. We all had LOTS of long hair. One girl swore up and down that doing monthly enzyme treatments would keep the drains happy, so we all went along with it. We absolutely NEVER had a problem.

Now, almost ten years later, I'm kicking myself for not maintaining the habit; my fiance and I both have long hair, and our shower drain HATES US. I used Draino to get it clear, but I'll be using the enzymes to keep it that way.

The solutions here look intriguing:

http://www.greenhome.com/products/housekeeping/drain_treatments/


The Earth Friendly products version has never worked for me.

I have long thick hair and I love the Zip-It! It is perfect for pulling out hair clogs. When that isn't the problem, Earth Enzymes always do the trick for me!

Sometimes you just have to suck it up and run a snake down your drain, it will pull up tons of your hair and be totally gross. BUT your drain will be fine for a very long time and you won't need enzymes or draino.