🪄 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pour the baking soda directly into the drain (sink, shower, or bathtub).
- Add the white vinegar immediately after. The mixture will fizz — that’s the reaction that helps clean and deodorize the pipes.
- Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to dissolve grease and organic residue that attract cockroaches.
- Meanwhile, boil a kettle of water and carefully pour it down the drain to flush everything away.
- Finally, apply a few drops of dish soap inside the drain — it leaves a thin film that repels insects and prevents them from climbing up.
- At night or when not using the sink, cover the drain with a rubber stopper or a fine mesh screen. This physical barrier is the key to keeping them out for good.
🌿 Why It Works
✅ Baking soda and vinegar clean and sanitize the drain, eliminating the food sources and odors that attract cockroaches.
✅ Dish soap breaks the surface tension, making it impossible for roaches to grip or climb up the pipes.
✅ Boiling water kills bacteria and any eggs or larvae hiding inside.
✅ The drain cover physically blocks their entry — no chemical needed!
🏠 Additional Tips to Keep Cockroaches Away
- Keep your kitchen dry: Wipe surfaces and don’t leave standing water in the sink.
- Seal cracks and gaps: Around pipes, tiles, and baseboards using silicone sealant.
- Store food properly: In sealed containers, especially at night.
- Empty trash regularly: Cockroaches are drawn to organic waste and crumbs.
- Clean drains weekly: Repeat the baking soda + vinegar method once a week for maintenance.
💡 Bonus Natural Repellent
If you want extra protection, mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part lemon juice in a spray bottle and spritz it around the drain area, under sinks, and along baseboards. Cockroaches hate the smell of acidity and citrus — it’s a natural deterrent that also leaves your home smelling fresh.
🧹 In Conclusion
Cockroaches may be tough, but this trick is tougher. With a few natural ingredients and a smart barrier system, you can block their main entry route and reclaim your kitchen or bathroom — without using harsh chemicals or expensive extermination services.
