Do bath bombs clog drains and are they bad for plumbing?
The short answer is, yes. Bath bombs can clog drains. But, we can prevent it by keeping a few precautions in mind.
What’s Inside A Bath Bomb?
Before we discuss the possible solutions and preventing methods, it’s better that we first understand what’s inside a bath bomb.
A typical bath bomb contains three ingredients:
- Salts
- Scent
- Oils
Consider these as the essentials of each bath bomb.
And there’s a reason why.
The Purpose Behind Those Ingredients
Salt or Epsom salt to be specificis used to help relax sore muscles.
The scent gives you a feeling of freshness.
All is good until the essential oils.
They help relieve stress, boost energy, prevent skin problems, and help calm the nerves. But, on the flip side, they also solidify when they cool.
That’s not all.
Cornstarch, bits or flower petals, cocoa butter, and glitter doesn’t dissolve well in water.
And thus, the residue of these ingredients start to pile up and eventually leads to a messy clog.
Know The Possible Solutions
Here are a few great ways to avoid bath bombs clog problems:
1) Use strainer
Strainer limits large objects to go inside of a pipe.
2) Nylon sock
Tie nylon sock on a bath bomb before dipping in the water. You might miss the mesmerizing sight of it dissolving. But, if you care about clogged drains, you better do it.
3) Warm water
Filling a tub with warm water can dissolve bath bombs more quickly. Yet, giving you the benefit of clean pipes. Essential oils hardly stick in pipes due to the presence of warm water.
Note: Hot water doesn’t play well with the bath bombs as it ruins essential elements that provide you the most benefits. Moreover, some bathtub manufacturers don’t recommend hot water as it may damage or even void your warranty.
4) Catch petals like a fish
If your heart and soul want to see glitter and petals floating all around your body. Make sure to use a fine mesh net before you drain.
5) Prevent glitter going into the drain
Glitter is not too dangerous for draining pipe as much as essential oils are. But, to keep everything intact, you have to put in some extra work.
Temporarily remove the stopper and place nylon cloth or mesh screen on top of the strainer.
This will prevent the glitter from mixing with the oil already present in the pipe.
A Quick Hack
You might be wondering if there’s any quick hack available to avoid bath bombs clogging the drains?
Guess what there is.
After the bath or at random times, fill 1/3 of the bathtub with hot water and then drain it.
Sudden hot water pressure will force the oil and clutter sticking inside your pipe to lose.
Use acid, vinegar, or baking soda right after you take a bath so the residues can’t settle and drain right away.
Make sure you put these right at the spot without making a connection with the bathtub itself.
Bath Bombs Clog Drains Recipes To Follow
1) Baking soda and vinegar mixture
Pour 1 cup of baking soda in the drainpipe with 2 cups of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes. Flush with hot water.
2) Clog cleaner
Use a clog remover just like this one:
Spill the acid in the drain and let it sit overnight. After about 8 hours, drain with hot water.
Conclusion
Although, bath bombs are a great way to spend your time relaxing with but, without you knowing, it might be affecting your drainage over time.
Make sure to follow the necessary steps as soon as possible. The more you delay, the more you’ll pay later.