We use our showers and sinks every day, and often, we don’t even give a second thought to what goes down the drain. It all washes away—soap, shampoo, dirt, dead skin cells—and becomes part of our routine. However, this sort of daily detritus can come together in undesirable ways, especially soap scum, which is a frequent cause of slow drains and clogs. And if you’ve ever had a stubborn clog, soap scum might be to blame. So what is soap scum, anyway, and how can you help soap scum avoid clogging your drains?
What Is Soap Scum?
Soap scum is the white and chalky substance that develops when soap reacts with hard water. Hard water is mineral-rich with calcium and magnesium, and its combination with soap creates a sticky film. You’ve probably fought it on your shower doors and faucets, but it also accumulates in drains. In the long run, this can lead to slow drainage and clogs.
How Does Soap Scum Cause Drain Clogs?
Scum isn’t the only thing that sits on surfaces. Instead, it adheres to the inside of your pipes. That constriction blocks the flow of water in the pipe. For a clogged drain due to hair and dirt, the gunk binds together and forms a significant, dense obstruction when it comes into contact with soap scum, causing the drain to drain slowly or not drain at all.
Preventing Soap Scum from Clogging Drains
The good news is that there several simple methods to help minimize soap scum and keep your drains in the clear:
Switch to Liquid Soap: Bar soap consists of fatty acids which mix with hard water and form soap scum. Liquid soap lacks these fats, so you’re less likely to accumulate buildup.
Use a Drain Strainer: Use a drain strainer or hair catcher to catch hair and debris before it goes down the drain, which will make it more difficult for soap scum to stick. Please keep it clean to ensure it works properly.
Rinse Drains with Hot Water: Whenever you remember to do so each week, pour hot water down your drains to help loosen and wash away any soap scum before it has a chance to cling.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar: Flush baking soda and then vinegar down the drain. Use it to break down soap scum (especially when paired with hot water).
Clean Drains Regularly: Run a drain snake to remove hair and other debris before it combines with soap scum, creating blockages.
Consider a Water Softener: If you have hard water, a water softener can help by reducing the minerals that cause soap scum.
By taking these steps, you can prevent clogs and ensure your drains remain clear. It may be tempting to reach for a liquid drain cleaner if you’re experiencing a particularly persistent blockage; however, we’ll be more than happy to send in one of our specialists at Santos Water’s service.