Many ladies out there swear that the only way to recover from a long, stress-filled day is to settle into a long hot bath and soak in the calming aroma of a bath bomb. But there are always concerns that the same bath bomb that is ultra-relaxing is also a slow death for your home’s drain lines. The answer to this question lies in the fine print on the label of your favorite bath bomb.
A Recipe For Happiness Or Clogs?
The average bath bomb is a combination of salts, oils, and a little bit of fragrance. This trio is meant to create a soothing sphere of relaxation for all your senses and skin. The two primary ingredients that make the wonderful fizzing are Epsom salt and baking soda. As the ball dissolves, the fizzing begins, and you slip into a sense of peace and tranquility. Epsom salt is known to relax muscles and rejuvenate your entire body. And the fragrance is the icing on the cake for the whole therapeutic experience. But then there are the lesser-known ingredients that add a bit to the overall experience but also can wreak havoc on your drain lines. Items like essential oils, corn starch, bits of flowers, glitter, and cocoa butter do not melt away into your bathwater. And that is where the trouble all begins.
When you are completely relaxed and ready to adjourn from the tub, you open the drain and never think about all the bits of flowers and oily residue that will be flowing down the drain. Sadly, the oil typically only makes it a few feet down the drain before solidifying on the pipe’s walls to form sticky gunk to trap dirt and other particles. Soon, your bathtub of bliss is the beginning of a nasty drain clog.
Save The Bath Bomb Experience And Your Drains
The simple answer is to avoid bath bombs. But that sounds pretty extreme to anyone who has ever revealed in the experience. Luckily, there is a way to continue to indulge in bath bombs without ruining your home’s drain lines. So here are a few tips to help take the worry out of your next bath bomb retreat.
- Place a small mesh screen in the drain emptying the bathtub. This screen will catch all of the tiny pieces of flowers and other objects that would be headed to your next drain clog. To keep all the particles contained when the bomb is melting, you can place it in a piece of old stocking and tie the end close before submerging it. The stocking will allow the aroma to circulate but keep all the clog-causing bits contained.
- If you want to enjoy the visual appeal of the floating flower petals and glitter, be prepared for the clean-up after your soak. Scoop the flowers and other larger objects from the water’s surface with a net before releasing the drain plug.
- Finally, after the water has drained from the tub, flush the drain with hot water for a few minutes. Then shut off the water and pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. The bubbling action will scrub away any remaining residue and protect your drain from future clogs. Wait about five minutes and give the drain one last blast of hot water to wash everything away.
If you have just discovered that your tub or any drain in your home is clogged, call (214) 388-4525. The licensed plumbers at Metroplex Leak & Locate will professionally clean the drains and remove any clogs using nothing but a pure water jet.
