Dealing with a clogged drain is an inevitable problem that everyone has to deal with at home, in spite of many prevention tips available online. You might start smelling odd, possibly unpleasant odors. Water could be pooling at the bottom of your shower or your sink. Try as hard as you can to ignore it, it will reach the point where it’s impossible to ignore anymore and you have to do something about it.

There are many things that can cause clogged drains, and a method to unclog one drain might not work for another. Dealing with your drain might feel overwhelming, especially when nothing you do seems to help. But don’t worry, here are six ways that will help you unclog a drain:

Boiling Water

This might be the simplest solution to your problem. Simply boil as much water as possible and pour it slowly down your drain. Just be careful not to make the water overflow, and stop every now and then to make sure the water drains first.

Baking Soda

Baking soda solves many problems, and this includes your clogged drain. Mix equal amounts, at least 1/3 cup each, of baking soda and vinegar. You’ll see it fizz, but don’t worry: this is exactly what you need. Pour the fizzing mixture down your drain and let it sit for an hour or two before flushing it with boiling water. You can also pour the dry baking soda down the drain first, then follow it up with the vinegar.

Alternatively, you can mix equal amounts of baking soda and salt. Pour it down the drain and leave it for at least ten to twenty minutes before pouring boiling water.

Wire Hanger

This is another simple but effective way to unclog a drain. Get a wire hanger and try to straighten it as much as you can. Take one end and bend it like a hook. Lower the wire until feel some resistance, and move it around a few times to fish out the gunk. Try to get as much of it as you can before pulling the hanger out to eliminate the clog. Again, finish this by flushing the remaining gunk with hot or boiling water.

Dish Detergent

It’s easy to find and use a dish detergent to unclog a drain. All you have to do is pour it in and around your drain. It will act as a lubricant that will break up the grease and other similar residue. Pour hot water down and use your plunger on the drain. You should feel pressure as you pump. Three or four pumps should be enough to unclog it.

Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide)

Make sure to be extra careful when handling caustic soda, as it can cause chemical burns if mishandled. Get some rubber gloves and protect your eyes with sturdy goggles. Fill a bucket with 3/4 gallons of cold water and mix in three cups of caustic soda. The water will heat up, and it might fizz. Carefully pour the mixture down the drain and leave it for twenty to thirty minutes before flushing out with hot water.

Wet/Dry Vacuum

When all else fails, you might want to try using a vacuum, especially since a lot of newer models are now equipped to deal with clogs. Make sure that it’s properly set up to work on liquids. Cover the vent to avoid making a mess, and seal the drain properly. Turn on your vacuum’s highest setting and watch it work its magic.

These are just some of the do-it-yourself tricks that you can try whenever you’re dealing with a stubborn clog. Most of what you need can be found lying around at home, or can be bought at the nearest hardware store. Just make sure to follow instructions and practice utmost caution, especially when dealing with chemical cleaners.

When all else fails, don’t hesitate, to contact a plumber to help you unclog a drain.