On Jul 9, 7:38 am, "Ray" wrote:
A friend tells me that there is a cleaning solution available which stands
overnight in sink drains to clear away grease build-up.

He also said that he had learned through some "tip sheet" that carbonated
soft drinks accomplish the same thing and are cheaper when you get them on
sale.

Is this correct?

First thing I always do is pour a few pots of boiling water down the drain. If that doesn't work, I disconnect the drain pipe at the wall connection, and clean it out with metal coat hander or short snake ($10 or so at Home Depot). My experience is that drains tend to plug up in the horizontal runs.

If that doesn't work, call a rooter service - typically $50-100 max to do a whole small house. Well worth the money. They are pros and carry insurance.

One comment about Drano.... If you use it, be sure to follow the directions and don't experiment with it. Too much could make it spew hot gases back up into the room and if you breathe it or get it on your skin or eyes, it's big trouble.

And especially don't pour soda into a drain that already has Drano or other chemicals in it. That's an acid-base reaction and is likely to do serious damage. I'm a chemist by education and would never do this.