Does Liquid Detergent Clog Pipes?

Laundry detergent can cause more disaster to pipes and washing machines than you can think. However, this is true only when used in excess amount. This thought never occurred to people unless they are told about this issue. Liquid detergent can be dangerous for pipes.

Typically, liquid detergent is not harmful to the pipes. But when it is used in excess amount, detergent has the potential to clog pipes. Powdered detergents are more likely to cause clogging than liquid detergents.

There are few tips and prevention methods that you can follow to save all the appliances and pipes at your home. If you are interested to know more about pipes clogging, stick to the end. You will also find the solution to clogged pipes in this article.

Liquid detergent has the slightest to no chance of clogging pipes. Detergent is likely to clog pipe at a slow pace over time. Information regarding detergents suggests that they can be a cause of clogged pipes. The incorrect use of detergent and adding it in excessive amounts can be the major cause of clogging.

The type of liquid detergent you use also tells whether the detergent will clog the pipe or not. You can simply read the label and get to know about the chemicals. Today, detergents are being made with harsh chemicals. Some of these chemicals are so hazardous that they do not spare any part of the sewage system. From your washing appliance to all the pipes, everything gets destroyed over time.

How Does Liquid Detergent Clog Pipes?

The clogging of pipes largely depends upon the chemical composition of the detergent you use. Using detergents with risky chemicals in excessive amounts is likely to clog pipes.

Bleached Detergents

Bleach itself is a toxic chemical. When it is used in large amounts, it can deteriorate pipes.

Many liquid detergents contain a large amount of bleach. When you use such detergents in excessive amounts, they can cause corrosion of the pipes. The quality of the whole sewage system can get down to zero if bleach-containing detergents are excessively used.

Caustic Chemicals

These are the chemicals that pose a high risk to the pipelines of your house. Caustic chemical agents are widely used in detergents. Some examples of these chemicals are sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and caustic posh. These are the common ingredients used in detergents, and they can easily clog the pipes.

Clog Removers

As if the detergent was not enough to make you anxious, clog remover adds more to anxiety. If you somehow encounter a clogged pipe, never attempt to clean it using a commercial clog cleaner.

These clog removers are made with really harsh chemicals that can worsen the situation of the pipes. You will see the process of slow drain speeding up after you use the clog remover.

How to Clear Drain Clogs?

Greasy detergent and soap particles are the major cause of drain clog. The interior of the pipes gets coated with greasy detergent residues, resulting in blockage. This can be really bad as it corrodes the pipe and blocks the flow of water.

You don’t need to call a plumber for slow drains; you can clear the drain clog due to detergent by some home techniques. Hold your tools and be the plumber. Let’s get into it.

Salt and Water

A small amount of salt and hot water can be really effective for clogged pipes. You need to begin by running down about half a cup of salt from the drain. After that, run about 3 liters of hot water. Make sure to leave the drain after this procedure. At this point, the salt acts as a scouring agent that removes all the greasy material from the pipe, allowing the free flow of water through the pipes.

Do not attempt to run the cold water as it will make this trick ineffective.

This trick works great for narrow pipes in both the kitchen and bathrooms. The hot water has the potential to melt the greasy residue, formed due to detergent.

Enzyme Cleaner

Biological enzyme cleaners are easily available in the market. They are the best and natural drain cleaner. These enzyme cleaners contain enzymes that eat up the bacteria and other such microorganisms present in the clogged pipes.

These cleaners are best for cleaning clogged pipes due to detergent as they do not eat good bacteria. The presence of non-toxic acid and monosodium sulfate in most enzyme cleaners makes them really effective for clogged pipes.

Importance of Using the Recommended Amount of Liquid Detergent

You might have found the best liquid detergent for your laundry, but that doesn’t mean you can throw whatever amount of detergent in the washing machine.

The detergents are made with chemicals, and mostly they are synthetic chemicals with a high risk of corrosion to the pipes and other appliances. Some of these chemicals are so harsh that they do not spare the body and cause allergies.

Using Excessive Amount of Detergent

If you use detergent in excessive amounts, you are damaging the washer, pipes, and in fact, the whole sewage system. You might not see the results immediately, but you will see how detergent clogs and corrode the pipes over time.

Other than that excessive amount of detergent can be harsh to your skin. No wonder detergent washes our clothes, and when we wear them, detergent gets in contact with our skin. The harsh chemicals in liquid detergent like surfactants can cause skin allergy and even lead to cancer.

Using Less Amount of Detergent

Similarly, if you add a very little amount of detergent, you will not see the cleansed clothes. Rather, all you will get will be grimy and dingy clothes. Lack of enough amount of detergent results in poor cleaning as the dirt does not get removed completely.

This means we should be careful while adding the detergent to the washer. A measuring cup can solve all our problems. Just find the right amount and stick to it.

How to Prevent Pipes from Getting Clogged?

Using the right detergent and the right amount are the key tips to save pipes in your house from getting clogged. Make it a habit to read the label before using any product. This habit can save you from many problems. Here are some simple yet effective tips to prevent clogging.

Use Safe Liquid Detergent

The chemicals that made up the detergent play an important role in the results it brings. Therefore, it is better to be on the safer side by buying detergent made with eco-friendly chemicals. It will not only help in lessening the environmental pollution but also keep your home appliances safe.

Also, try to stick with the liquid detergent. Powdered detergents are likely to cause severe clogging at a short pace.

Seek Professional Help in Case of Slow Drain

Slow drains are a sign of clogged pipes. Even when you use the detergent correctly, the pipes can still get clogged up. If you notice any change in the drain, you should immediately seek professional help. It is better to get the pipes unclogged before they cause any serious problem.

Clean the Washing Machine with White Vinegar

If you think that detergent will keep the pipes and washing machine clean, you are wrong. As detergent stays at a place for a longer time, it can deteriorate the pipe. It is a good idea to deep cleanse the washing once every month to wash away the detergent.

Run an empty cycle with vinegar in your washing machine. This will not only clean the washer but also the pipes and sewage system.

Use Drain Cleaning Treatment

To be on the safer side, it is good to treat the pipes with a drain cleaning solution every month. This will wash away all the stuck dirt and detergent from the pipes, keeping everything safe.

Use Recommended Amount of Detergent

Detergent should always be added in the recommended amount to the washing machine. Adding less or more than the recommended amount can be harmful. If you add more detergent than needed, it will result in excessive suds and residues production. These residues may get stuck in the pipes and corrode over time.

You can always check the label to get guidance. Some liquid detergents are concentrated, while others are dilute. Therefore, we cannot suggest a specific amount. You can use a measuring cup to make the right measurement every time.

In Conclusion

Liquid detergent can be the cause of pipe clogging, but not always. The liquid detergent itself cannot be the problem. The issue arises when you use more than the recommended amount of detergent.

You can always follow some simple preventive measures to avoid getting your pipes clogged. Even if the pipes get clogged due to liquid detergent, you can use DIY methods like salt and hot water to clear the drain.

In case of some serious issue, you can seek professional help by reaching out to a plumber.