Blocked drains can sometimes feel like the bane of your existence. It might not sound like such a big deal, but just think of it—being unable to do something as simple as emptying your sink. The frustration! This is why it's not all that surprising that many homeowners just opt to chuck a harsh chemical drain cleaner into the mix in order to solve the problem as quickly as possible. To each their own, and yet you might not particularly like the idea of such a potent chemical fix. So what are some ways to unblock those drains without relying on a chemical cleaner?

A Bit of Elbow Grease

Sometimes a seemingly old fashioned solution can be your best bet. Pop into your local hardware shop, pick up a plunger and give it a go. The head of the plunger creates a seal around the plug hole. A downwards thrust forces air into the drain, and an upwards tug creates a vacuum, the force of which dislodges the blockage and allows it to pass into your pipes. It can also be an effective upper arm workout!

The Power of Heat

Try boiling water. The heat of the water can obliterate slime and sludge, weakening a blockage and allowing it to pass harmlessly into your pipes and be washed away. Just boil your electric kettle and pour it into your plug hole. Do so in a slow and steady stream. Don't just slosh it in there, since you could hurt yourself if splashbacks were to occur.

All Those Tiny Bubbles

The power of oxidation can also be highly beneficial. You want to create bubbles inside the drain in order to break up the blockage, and there are a number of household items that can help with this. Try tipping some baking soda into the blocked drain. A crumbled up denture cleaning tablet will also do the trick. The oxidation (fizzing action) will occur when the baking soda or denture tablet comes into contact with the moisture inside your pipes, and you can complete the action by adding boiling water to the drain.

It's important to remember that severe blockages might not respond all that well to these non-chemical options. You might partially unblock the drain, only to have the issue return before too long. You don't necessarily need to use chemicals at this point, but it can be wise to call in a professional—namely a plumber who can rummage around inside your pipes with a plumber's snake to clear the blockage.