Baking soda plays a vital role in the kitchen, but the chemical compound can also be utilized in a number of other ways throughout the house. Take, for instance, a clogged drain. This can cause a nasty headache for most homeowners or renters. Rather than purchasing a product to solve this problem, just go to your fridge and pull out the baking soda. 

But before we cover the baking soda trick, let's look at another chemical-free way of unblocking a clogged sink. This one is about as simple as it gets. Use a plumber's snake (if you have one handy) or a wire hanger to remove the blockage.

If using a wire hanger, try leaving the hook intact in order to scoop up whatever's causing the clog.

Back to our baking soda trick.

Here's how it works: first, boil a pot of water and then pour most of it down the drain - leaving a cup to spare.

Now, toss in a third of a cup of baking soda into the drain and let sit for a few minutes.

Take that last bit of hot water and mix in a cup of vinegar. Pour it into the drain and wait patiently for 20 or so minutes.

Use another pot of hot water to clear everything out. This trick is best suited for a partial clog. 

If a plunger can unclog a toilet, why wouldn't it do the same to a sink? This method doesn't require all that much effort - but don't expect a 100% success rate.

You can also use a wet and dry shop vacuum to deal with a clog. Simply place the hose over the drain, ensuring that you have the tightest seal you can. Now power the shop vacuum on and see what kind of results you get. Again, this isn't guaranteed to work, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Next time you find yourself dealing with a clogged drain, don't just run out to the store and buy Drano. Instead, utilize the tools you have at home and get creative.

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