It comes as the weather begins to get worse, with rain more common and things such as mud and leaves possibly causing blockages.
If you are looking for an easy and cost-effective way to quickly unblock your drains, using washing-up liquid can help.
Experts have explained why this is and how best to do it.
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UK households can use washing up-liquid to unblock drains
Chris Houghton is a home expert at home emergency and cover specialists HomeServe.
He said: “During the wetter months, outdoor drains can often become slow to drain or blocked as rainwater carries leaves, mud and debris into the pipework.
“Pouring a little washing-up liquid followed by hot water down the drain can be an effective first step to get things flowing again.
“The washing-up liquid helps to break down greasy deposits and loosen trapped debris, while the hot water flushes it through more easily.
“It’s a simple, low-cost trick that can make a real difference before a small blockage turns into something more serious.”
If you are wondering how this works, Olivia Young, cleaning expert and product development scientist at Astonish, explains.
She said: “Washing-up liquid is formulated to cut through grease, so during everyday use – when you’re cleaning dishes with warm, soapy water – it naturally helps to break down and disperse fats before they have a chance to settle in the pipes.
“The surfactants in the formula surround grease particles and help them rinse away more easily, which can be helpful in preventing everyday build-up over time.”
Contact professional if drains are severely blocked
Despite washing-up liquid being a good option to help unblock your drains, it is not a foolproof method, and if it is fats that are blocking the drain, there are better ways of disposing of them first.
Ms Young adds: “We don’t recommend pouring washing-up liquid directly down the drain as a separate step, because these products are designed to be diluted during dishwashing, and their environmental impact has been assessed on that basis.
“More importantly, the biggest cause of blocked drains is not the lack of detergent, it’s the improper disposal of fats and oils.
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“Pouring hot grease or cooking oil straight down the sink allows it to cool and solidify in the pipes, leading to blockages.
“A simple solution is to let fats cool in the tray, scrape them into the bin, or use a bit of tin foil over the plughole to catch and dispose of them cleanly.
“For small amounts of oil, allow it to cool completely, then pour it into a non-recyclable, sealable container before placing it in general waste. If you’re disposing of larger quantities, check if your local recycling centre accepts used cooking oil.”
Fellow expert Jess Thomas, managing director of Drainage Central, explains further: “Washing up liquid and hot water should only really be used on small deposits, as larger deposits can still remain solidified and contribute to blockages.
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“The best thing to do is to allow grease, fat or oil to cool and solidify, and they can then be disposed of with food waste instead of being poured down the drain.
“Additionally, keeping your outdoor drains free of debris can stop this from contributing to blockages, as leaf litter or similar can become lodged in fat deposits.
“If you think that the blockage is located deeper down the drain or is more severe, you should instead consult a professional and not try to deal with it yourself.”
