Does liquid detergent clog pipes? In the event that your pipes do become clogged due to liquid soap or powder soap, you should contact a professional plumber to assist you. You can avoid clogging your drains with soap by making sure that you read manufacturer labels and follow proper usage guidelines.
When cleaning your dishes or laundry, not many people think about whether or not the soap they’re using can pose the risk of clogging your drains. Recently, there have been studies conducted to test the theory that over time, potent cleaning soaps have the ability to clog the functionality of your pipes. This thought has neither been proven nor disproven, however, there have been reports by people who have shared their horror stories after using specific types of liquid detergents.
Every liquid detergent brand that you see on the market is made by a different company, each of these companies follows their own unique formula to deliver the soap products you trust and love. The pipes throughout your home are made from metal which is susceptible to corrosion and decay over time. Some of the agents used in common household liquid detergents can speed up the process of corrosion or even cause clogs in rare instances.
Below, we’re going to provide you with all of the important information that you need to know about liquid soap and how it impacts your pipes.
What about laundry detergent?
As of right now, there is relevant information that suggests using powdered detergents as well as some liquid detergents in the incorrect manner can lead to issues of your pipes becoming clogged. One of the best ways to avoid encountering any issues with your pipes becoming clogged due to detergent is by looking at the manufacturer labels on your washing machine and dishwasher.
Using the incorrect amount of detergent can also lead to issues where your pipes become clogged. Read the label of your chosen detergent to make sure that you are always using the proper amount for your loads.
There are also a lot of other effective ways that you can reduce the odds of your pipes becoming clogged.
Tips on how to avoid clogging your drain with detergent:
- Apply a drain cleaning treatment to your pipes about once every other month
- Always try to use liquid detergent instead of powder cleansers
- If you do encounter drain clogs, you should always call a professional plumber to assist you with repairing the problem
- Run an empty cycle in your washing machine every month or so with white vinegar to dissolve any caked up detergent which may be left in your pipes
These are some simple steps that you can take to ensure your pipes stay clear of any obstructions or stoppages.
Does liquid detergent clog pipes?
Liquid detergent has a very low chance of clogging your drains unless you use an excessive quantity. One important factor to consider when determining whether a particular soap poses a clog risk is its chemical composition. There are a few main chemical classes that can help you identify the potency of any detergent product you decide to use.
Main Chemical Classes for Liquid Detergent:
- Powdered detergent– usually comes in the form of a powder-filled ball and can pose a clog risk when used in excessive quantities
- High-Bleach detergents– detergents and cleaners that have a high amount of bleach can corrode the quality of your sewage system when used in large amounts
- Commercial Clog Remover- for use in specialized applications and should never be used when trying to unclog your washing machine or dishwasher at home
Caustic Chemicals- caustic chemicals are a broad class of chemical agents that have the ability to ruin your home’s pipe system due to the fact that they are meant for machines like clothes washers
By completely avoiding or limiting your use of chemical agents such as the ones listed above, you can safeguard your home’s pipe from the threat of becoming clogged quite easily. The most common reason for liquid detergents causing clogs in your pipes is because of using too much of it.
During certain cycles like the rinse cycle, excess detergent can become clogged in your pipes due to insufficient drainage. Using accurate measurements and following all of the printed guidelines on the packaging is the best way to avoid this problem.
Throughout this article, we’ve given you all of the key details you need to know as it relates to avoiding the issue of soap clogging your drain. By using all of the information in this article, you will be able to maintain proper functioning drains with ease.
Hopefully this article gives you knowledge on “Does liquid detergent clog pipes?”
Further reading. This post on Amazon answers some FAQs on detergents and clogged pipes