Cleaning a Sump Pump With Vinegar: Is It Effective?

Vinegar is not only used for food but as a cleaning homemade detergent. Because it is an efficient drain cleaner, homeowners recommend using vinegar to clean your sump pump. If you are thinking about using vinegar for your sump pump, there are some things you should know.

Vinegar can be used for cleaning debris and residue in your sump pump. You need to make a detergent of vinegar and water, pour it in your sump pump and let it sit in. After that flush the detergent, and you are good to go.

If not used properly, vinegar can damage your sump pump. Stick around for the step-by-step guide.

Is vinegar a good cleaning agent?

Vinegar is a mild acid that can be used as a pesticide, cleaning agent, and a food source. Its acidic properties can dissolve residue from smooth surfaces such as stainless steel and glass. It can also be used as a degreaser.

However, vinegar must be mixed with water in order to avoid damaging the surface. It’s only a mild acid but it still can be strong enough to dissolve materials.

For cleaning purposes, it is often best to use a stronger type of vinegar than your regular kitchen vinegar. Here’s an example of a good cleaning vinegar available on Amazon, which packs a punch 6 times as strong as a regular vinegar.

Vinegar is the most effective when cleaning stainless steel and epoxy resin. That is why it is a very good detergent for cleaning sump pumps.

It’s time to see how to clean your sump pump with vinegar.

How to clean your sump pump using vinegar?

As we said, vinegar is only useful for cleaning out any debris you may have in your sump pump and discharge line. There are 2 ways you can use vinegar for cleaning your sump pump.

Remember, you must mix the vinegar with water if you don’t do this, you may damage your sump pump. It’s best to use a 1:2 ratio, for 1 gallon of vinegar use 2 gallons of water.

The first method is much safer and simpler. Start with plugging off your sump pump and taking it out of the sump pit.

Then, pour 1 gallon of vinegar in the sump pit and let it sit for 15 minutes. In this time the vinegar will break apart the debris. While waiting for the vinegar to dissolve, prepare 5 gallons of hot water.

When the hot water is ready, pour it in the sump pit. You can do this without removing the sump pump but this way is more efficient.

Lastly, put the sump pump back in the sump pit and turn it on. The sump pump will suck the water mixed with vinegar, and it will clean itself and the drain lines. You don’t have to worry about vinegar damaging the sump pump, the water will be flushed away.

The second method may work better but it will involve you in the cleaning process. This time, you will have to flush the water away.

Start by plugging off your sump pump and taking it out of the sump pit. Prepare a vinegar and water solution, using a 1:2 ratio.

Pour the detergent in the sump pump, and wait 15-20 for the debris to start breaking apart. While waiting prepare yourself for the next step.

Then, you need to clean the sump pump with water. Preferably, you will use a hose. Either way, make sure you properly cleaned the sump pump and make sure that there is no vinegar detergent left.

When you are done cleaning the sump pump, you can move on to the drainage pipes. Pour the same detergent in the opening of the drainage pipe and let it sit in for a while.

Then, pour hot water in the drainage pipe. 2 buckets of water will do the job. You don’t have to worry about vinegar damaging your lines, water flows constantly through the pipes, there is no way for the vinegar to stay long enough to damage the pipes.

That’s all about cleaning your sump pump with vinegar, make sure you don’t do this too often.

Related questions

How often should I clean my sump pump?

Once every 3-4 months. That will be enough for your sump pump. Make sure you clean your sump pit once in a year.

Should I use a detergent strong with vinegar?

It’s not recommended. If your detergent is very strong with vinegar, don’t let it sit too long on the  surface, it will surely damage. Make sure to clean the surface with water afterwards.

Is vinegar effective against algae?

Vinegar is often used for cleaning fountains. If there are algae in your fountain, you can try using vinegar. Mix one-half cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. This is the ratio for making the detergent.

Will this help against iron ochre?

I get asked a lot if cleaning your sump pump pit with vinegar will help you get rid of your iron ochre problem. The answer is as follows: while iron ochre doesn’t like acidity, vinegar isn’t strong enough to get rid of iron ochre permanently. While vinegar may slow down iron ochre, it won’t solve the issue permanently. Stronger acids are forbidden to use, for obvious environmental reasons. Therefore, to remediate the problem of iron ochre buildup, your best bet is simply to flush out the iron ochre regularly, say once every three months. Unfortunately, iron ochre is just a fact of life for some neighborhoods.

Please adhere to the environmental laws in your area and be a responsible citizen of our little planet.