The chemical reaction between commercial cleaners and vinegar/bicarb can create dangerous fumes or even cause the pipe to heat up dangerously fast. If you have already poured chemicals down, wait at least 24 hours and flush heavily with cold water before trying the natural method. If the sink is still gurgling after the first try, don't give up. Sometimes a tough grease clog needs a "paste" treatment.

Also known as baking soda, this white powder isn't just for fluffy cakes and deodorizing the fridge. It is a powerhouse natural cleaner, and it is brilliant at unclogging drains. When a sink drains slowly, the culprit is usually grease, soap scum, and bits of food. Bicarb is a mild alkali. When combined with another common household hero (vinegar), it creates a fizzing, foaming chemical reaction.

There is nothing that stops a busy evening in its tracks quite like standing in an inch of dirty dishwater. You turn on the tap, and instead of a satisfying swirl, you get a slow, gurgling rise of water. The sink is blocked.

Mix a 3:1 ratio of bicarb to water (e.g., 3/4 cup bicarb, 1/4 cup water) to make a paste. Smear this paste all over the inside of your drain and the sink strainer. Leave it for 30 minutes, then pour a cup of vinegar down. Let it fizz for an hour, then flush with boiling water. Bicarbonate of soda is cheap, safe for your family, safe for your septic tank, and incredibly effective. Next time your sink burps up a piece of spinach from last week's dinner, put down the toxic gel and reach for the orange box.