“Never put non-food items such as plastic, metal, or glass in the drain,” says Palla. Wilson adds that even items billed as “flushable” should not be put down the pipes, citing old paint and so-called ...

Pour 1/2 cup of dish soap (it doesn't have to be Dawn, but should be a soap that cuts grease) down the drain, followed by the boiling water. “Be careful not to splash yourself," San Angelo warns.

In the search for easy, chemical-free drain cleaners, some residents have turned to a common baking staple, but you may want to heed a few warnings first.

We asked two professional plumbers if dish soap was safe to use for clogged drains. Here's what they had to say.