Here is a List of the Best Drain Cleaners
- XIONLAB Safer Drain Opener. My Review: Struggling with a hair-clogged drain? ...
- Professor Amos’ SuperFast Drain Cleaner and Drain Opener. My Review: Break up food buildup, grease clogs, and hair accumulation in drains with Professor Amo’s SuperFast Drain Cleaner.
- Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener. ...
- Green Gobbler DISSOLVE Liquid Hair Remover. ...
Full Answer
What is the best drain cleaner for clogged drains?
These are the best drain cleaners, according to Good Housekeeping Institute reviews: Best Overall Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover. Best Drain Cleaner for Hair Clogs: Liquid Plumr Clog Destroyer + Hair Clog Eliminator. Best Enzymatic Drain Cleaner: Bio Clean. Best Crystal Drain Cleaner: Thrift Odorless Drain Cleaner.
What is the best hair and grease drain opener?
Instant Power Hair and Grease Drain Opener 9. Thrift Drain Cleaner 10. Roebic K-87 Soap, Grease, and Paper Digester 11. FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake 12. Omont Drain Snake Clog Remover 13. Vastar Drain Snake Hair Drain Clog Remover 14. FlexiSnake Drain Millipede Hair Clog Tool
Do drain cleaners work for hair clogs?
With regular use, the drains in your home can become clogged with clumps of hair, causing drainage issues and unpleasant odors. However, not all drain cleaners are well-equipped to clear and break up difficult hair clogs. For a fast-acting product that tackles your backed-up pipes, this list includes some of the best drain cleaners for hair.
What is the best drain opener?
A drain opener quickly unclogs the drains and pipes around your home. When researching the best options on the market, we judged products based on effectiveness, compatibility with various systems, and value. Our best overall pick is the Drano Max Gel Clog Remover, an affordable but powerful solution that works on different pipe and septic systems.
How to get hair out of drain?
What is the best way to remove hair from a drain?
What is a drain snake?
How long does it take for a green gobbler to unclog a drain?
What is a gel drain cleaner?
Why does my drain smell?
What is the best way to clean hair clogs?
See 4 more
About this website
What will dissolve hair in a drain?
Combining baking soda and vinegar is a natural way to dissolve hair clogs, without resorting to harsh chemicals. Pour a cup of baking soda down the clogged drain first, and then after a few minutes add a cup of vinegar.
What's the strongest thing to unclog a drain?
Best Overall: Drano Max Gel Clog Remover This popular drain cleaner works effectively on different drains and disposals—whether in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or garage. This highly concentrated formula works in about seven minutes and can remove even the toughest grime buildup from your drains.
What is the number one drain Unclogger?
Best Overall Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover. Best Drain Cleaner for Hair Clogs: Liquid Plumr Clog Destroyer + Hair Clog Eliminator. Best Single-Use Drain Cleaner: Green Gobbler Drain Opening Pacs. Best Enzymatic Drain Cleaner: Bio Clean.
What works better than Drano?
Using a solution of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water – For more stubborn clogs, a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water may do the trick. Because vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base, mixing the two will cause a chemical reaction that will create pressure and possibly dislodge the clog.
What liquid do plumbers use to unclog drains?
Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is the most common acid used by plumbers to unclog drains. Although this component can be found even in your own stomach, as part of the digestive acids, its pure concentrated form can only be purchased from certain stores if you carry a plumber's license.
Does Drano work on deep clogs?
STUCK IN THIRD. Clogs can also be caused by buildup in the third, lateral section of the pipe. Drano® Max Gel Clog Remover is effective on these clog types as well.
How do you unclog a drain if a snake doesn't work?
What to do when snaking a drain doesn't workClean the drain snake. If you haven't cleaned it since using it last, the old clog may still be embedded on the corkscrew end. ... Tighten the thumbscrew. To feed the wire into the drain, tighten the thumbscrew that locks the wire in place. ... Use a different type of auger.
Does CLR help clogged drains?
CLR Clog-Free Drain clears almost all household clogged or sluggish drains in seconds! It is safe to use on all sound plumbing and works on almost any clog including hair, grease, food, soap build-up and more.
Does bleach dissolve hair?
After about a half hour any hair the bleach is in contact with will dissolve. Bleach dissolves hair and it takes a bit of time. If it doesn't get rid of the stoppage completely then try another application of a cup of bleach.
Does vinegar work like Drano?
Baking Soda and White Vinegar This mixture is a great green alternative to Drano because most people have these items somewhere in their kitchen. To use this method, pour half a cup of baking soda into the clogged drain and follow it with a half cup of white vinegar.
Does liquid Plumber work on hair?
Hair is the number one cause of plugged drains. With Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Eliminator, hair clogs are destroyed as the thick gel coats and sticks to hair, dissolving clogs and clearing the drain. Just pour, wait 15 minutes and flush to remove tough hair clogs.
Does Drano dissolve hair?
Drano® Clog Removers can unclog a drain fast. They contain ingredients chemicals that quickly dissolve hair, soap scum and gunk. You can use Drano® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets.
How do you unclog a drain if a snake doesn't work?
What to do when snaking a drain doesn't workClean the drain snake. If you haven't cleaned it since using it last, the old clog may still be embedded on the corkscrew end. ... Tighten the thumbscrew. To feed the wire into the drain, tighten the thumbscrew that locks the wire in place. ... Use a different type of auger.
Which Drano is the strongest?
Drano Max Gel Ultra Clog RemoverProduct Description. The thickened bleach formula in Drano Max Gel Ultra Clog Remover is our thickest and most powerful Max Gel. Drano Max Gel Ultra cuts right through standing water, clinging to your toughest clogs to blast them fast. It's great at removing hair, soap scum, and other gunky clogs.
How do you unclog a sink with standing water?
First, remove all stagnant water from the sink. Replace it with hot water until it is halfway full, and it generates a seal around your drain. Place the sink plunger over the drain and start pumping up and down swiftly. Remove the plunger, observe if the water flows, and repeat the procedure until water flows freely.
How do you unclog a sewer line without a snake?
All you need to do is take a cupful of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Consequently, pour a cupful of white vinegar down the same drain. Thereafter, wait for around 10-15 minutes for the baking soda and vinegar solution to break up and clear the clog.
10 Best Drain Cleaners of 2022 for Clogged Sinks, Toilets & Tubs
Unclog or prevent slow-draining or clogged sinks, tubs, pipes and drains due to hair or grease with the best drain cleaners from brands like Drano, Liquid Plumr, CLR, Green Gobbler and Tubshroom.
1. Vastar 3 Pack 19.6 Inch Drain Snake Hair Drain Clog Remover
Cheap and effective for those hair clogs just below the sink strainer. When it comes to removing hair clogs, the Vastar 3 Pack Snake Jair Drain Clog Remover is the real deal.
2. Green Gobbler Hair Grabber Tool Drain Snake
This product is similar to vastar drain snake. However, the green gobble comes in a pack of five, while the vastar drain snake comes in a pack of three, with minimal differences in prices and length (22 inches for green gobbler verus 23 for the long version of the vastar).
3. General Pipe Cleaners Drain Auger
When it comes to drain cleaning, this is one of the best tool for the job. Not only will this auger reach and remove those stubborn hair clogs that are located beyond the reach of plastic snakes, but also is able to deal with other clogs.
4. Drano Drain Cleaner Professional Strength, 32 oz
When it comes to chemical drain cleaners for hair clogs then this is your winner. Table tests have shown that this drain cleaner is more than capable of decomposing, or dissolving hair hair.
5. Pure Lye Drain Opener
If you are on a budget or want a hands free drain cleaner then this is your second best bet. Works extremely well with hair clogs, especially when you pour hot water into the drain before adding this drain opener. And the ability of this drain opener to dissolve clogs is well known.
Environment-friendly
As a good citizen, you would not wish to use a drain cleaner that could cause harm to the environment. Most of the commercial drain cleaners available in the market contain potent toxins and chemicals that could be hazardous for the ecosystem. It is, therefore, important that the product is environment-friendly.
Easy to use
It is good to have a cleaner that can be used in a convenient manner. Presently, most cleaners are made in powder form or in packets. This means that you can place them at the opening of your drain and let some water to flow.
What is a drain opener made of?
This product is made of 99 percent pure lye beads that are industrial strength and can clear out even the toughest pipe clogs.
What is the best drain cleaner for showers?
For a great all-around drain cleaner, you can’t go wrong with Drano Max Gel Clog Remover ( view at Amazon ). Its thick formula cuts through standing water, allowing it to quickly dissolve even the toughest clogs. However, if you need a drain cleaner that’s specifically made for showers, opt for the Pequa Drain Opener ( view at Home Depot ).
What is a Pequa drain opener?
The Pequa Drain Opener is a highly-rated product for both commercial and residential use, and it gets top marks from users who say it's their go-to drain opener . This product comes in a 64-ounce bottle, and it can dissolve all organic matter, including hair and grease.
What to do if hair is clogged in shower drain?
In these cases, you need a heavy-duty drain cleaner that can dissolve the wads of tangled hair, helping your shower drain properly.
How long does it take for a bathroom drain to unclog?
Time of Exposure While some formulas can work in as little as 20 minutes, others do best when left overnight to unclog your drain.
Does a shower drain need a hair opener?
Built-up hair can create tough clogs in shower drains, so you're going to need a heavy-duty drain opener to get rid of these backups. The Instant Power Hair and Grease Drain Opener has hundreds of positive reviews that say it's an easy-to-use product that's incredibly reliable and effective.
Can a drain opener damage a garbage disposal?
Similar to septic tanks, heavy duty chemical drain openers may damage your garbage disposal, so you need to be careful about what you put down your sink. To effectively unclog your drain and freshen up your garbage disposal, try the Green Gobbler Refresh Concentrate Garbage Disposal, Drain Cleaner, and Deodorizer.
How to get rid of clogged drains?
Only use caustic or acidic cleaners in well-ventilated rooms. Turn on exhaust fans and/or open windows to increase air circulation. Always stand outside of tubs or showers when pouring drain cleaner. With the drain stopper removed, pour the drain cleaner as slowly and steadily as possible into the clogged drain.
How many types of drain cleaners are there?
Types of Drain Cleaners. There are three types of liquid drain cleaners, each suited for different drain locations and different types of pipes and clogs. The type and age of your pipes should be listed in your home inspection report. To determine the clog type, remove the drain cover (if present) and inspect the drain opening with a flashlight;
How long does it take for a clog to clear?
They’re designed for monthly use to prevent clogs and can also clear clogs comprised of soft material like hair or paper, but not tougher gunk like grease or soap scum; even on soft clogs they can take as long as 24 hours to clear.
How long does it take for a drain cleaner to dissolve?
They’re best at removing food, grease, and soap scum from sink, shower, or tub drains—usually within 30 minutes, though most aren’t designed for use in toilets as they don’t ...
Can you mix drain cleaner with water?
Never mix drain cleaners with other homemade or commercial cleaners; the chemical reaction that ensues could produce toxic gas or an explosion. Flush out any remaining cleaner with water at the temperature recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Can you leave drain cleaner in the drain?
Never leave any type of drain cleaner inside drains for longer than the maximum dwell time; chemical cleaners, in particular, can produce enough heat to melt pipes or crack porcelain toilet bowls if left too long. Only use caustic or acidic cleaners in well-ventilated rooms.
Can you use acidic drain cleaner on copper pipes?
Don’t use them on older plastic or metal pipes or pipes of any age made of aluminum chrome, stainless steel, or galvanized steel. They’re capable of burning skin and irritating eyes and lungs if inhaled so safety ...
What to wear when pouring drain cleaner?
Wear gloves and eye protection. Do not stand in a tub or shower stall when pouring the drain cleaner.
How to clear a slow drain without a plumber?
According to the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab experts, the safest first step to clearing any clog is to use the correct plunger based on where a clog is located (sink or toilet). Be sure to cover any overflow outlet first for maximum pressure, turn off the water supply, and always use a plunger before (not after!) any chemical cleaner to prevent the chemical from splashing back up onto you and into your eyes.
How long does it take to clear a drain with CLR?
Prevention is best when it comes to drains, and CLR's Clear Pipes and Drains makes it really simple to keep your pipes clear and prevent clogs with a quick, once-a-month treatment. Testers raved at how easy it was to use (it takes less than five minutes!) and how clear their drains ran afterwards.
How to clear a clogged toilet?
Never try to clear a toilet clog with a chemical cleaner. Use a plunger, a toilet auger ( a standard drain snake can damage or crack the porcelain), or a natural enzyme cleaner . If the clog still remains, call in a professional plumber.
How long does it take for thrift drain cleaner to work?
Safe for septic system maintenance too, Thrift's drain cleaner claims to work in only 60 seconds on slow-flowing drains. Hot water is required to warm the pipes, dissolve and activate the crystals, before you thoroughly flush the drain after 60 seconds. Reviewers are impressed by how quickly it works.
Can a toilet auger be used on a clogged toilet?
A toilet auger may well succeed where a plunger didn’t. Using a regular drain snake on a clogged toilet can cause damage to the porcelain, but the Ridgid has a vinyl protective guard to help protect against scratches and cracks. The ergonomic handles make it easy to rotate the cable with its bulb head down the drain line past the toilet to break up and clear clogs lodged there.
Is liquid plumr safe for septic systems?
Liquid Plumr's thick gel powers through hair clogs that slow sink, tub and shower drains. Testers raved about how well it works. It is safe for pipes and drains, including septic systems. Wait for all the water to drain out of the sink or tub, then pour the bottle of Liquid Plumr slowly down the drain.
What is the best tool to pull hair out of a bathtub drain?
Ideal for your sink’s, shower’s, or bathtub’s drain, the multiple teeth on the snake allow the tool to efficiently grip hair, dirt, food, and other blockages out of your drains and pipes. Just be sure to wear gloves and possibly a face mask because the amount of gunk you’ll be pulling out of your drains is totally disgusting but oh, so satisfying.
Why do drain openers have extra vitamins?
This drain opener even has extra vitamins and micronutrients to ensure that the enzyme-producing bacteria have a balanced diet. A proper diet allows the bacteria to have a fast metabolism, which, in turn, means that your drain can get unclogged quicker.
How fast does thrift drain cleaner work?
My Review: Super fast acting, Thrift Drain Cleaner can clean out a drain line in just 60 seconds. It works for sewer lines, drains, grease traps, and septic tank systems. And you don’t have to worry about it damaging your pipes because it’s safe to use with chrome, metal, and plastic pipes.
How long does it take for thrift drain cleaner to clean?
Shop or Read Reviews. Our Review: Super fast acting, Thrift Drain Cleaner can clean out a drain line in just 60 seconds. It works for sewer lines, drains, grease traps, and septic tank systems. And you don’t have to worry about it damaging your pipes because it’s safe to use with chrome, metal, and plastic pipes.
How does Professor Amo drain cleaner work?
The product works by liquifying oil, grease, and hair that builds up in drains. Just pour some of the fast-acting liquid down the drain, allow it to sit for fifteen minutes, and let it work its magic. While dissolving and breaking down clogs, this product also deodorizes by blasting bacterial buildup, removing drain flies, and eliminating unpleasant odors.
What does dual chamber mean in a toilet?
The bottle’s dual chamber means you won’t have to bother with measuring cups. If you’re using the product as a sink drain cleaner or to unclog your tub, just empty one chamber into the drain. If you’re using the product as a toilet clog remover, you’ll have to use the entire bottle.
What causes a drain to clog?
Toothpaste, shaving cream, heavy items (i.e. tiny toys kids put in the drain) are also common causes of drain clogs. When shopping around for the best drain cleaner, first determine what is causing the blockage. The best drain cleaner for hair might not be the best drain cleaner for grease, for example.
How to get rid of hair build up in drain?
Anyhow, this is a strong mixture which will clear the drain and get rid of all the hair build-ups. Mix it in the plastic cup. The second way to do this is to take a bit bigger plastic cup and to add a ½ cup of vinegar first. Next, add baking soda, use a ½ cup, but remember , don’t just drop baking soda inside the vinegar.
Why does hair stick to drain pipes?
The hair is definitely the number one reason why your drain pipes are clogged. Furthermore, hair build-ups are also a bolster that can allow other stuff to accumulate and clog your drains.
What is the best way to get rid of hair build up?
Detergent and Hot Water Mixture. This one is a piece of cake. However, this mixture is not as strong as baking soda and vinegar, and it might not be enough for nasty and stubborn hair build-ups. Now, you need to put a pot of water on the stove and boil it.
What happens if you put vinegar and baking soda in a drain?
Namely, when adding baking soda and vinegar inside the drain, they will cause a reaction which will burn and dissolve basically every hair particle down there.
Can baking soda and vinegar dissolve hair?
The famous one! Baking soda and vinegar don’t go so well together for many things, but, there’s one thing that they are unstoppable at – hair build-up dissolving. Namely, when adding baking soda and vinegar inside the drain, they will cause a reaction which will burn and dissolve basically every hair particle down there.
Do you need to put detergent in a drain?
Number 3 – This method doesn’t even require you to add the detergent inside the pot. You only need to pour a whole pot of boiling water down the drain. But first, you need to add the detergent to the drain in order for it to have some results.
What causes a clogged drain?
In the bathroom sink, though, hair is the biggest offender. When it’s coupled with toothpaste and soap residue, it can cause major clogs. The shower suffers the same fate as the bathroom sink, with hair and soap residue causing major problems (though using a drain protector can help a little). The type of clog you have should be considered when choosing a drain cleaner, as they all have their own strengths and weaknesses depending on the source of the clog.
What is drain cleaner made of?
Consists primarily of pure lye beads that are biodegradable and enable you to safely clean out grease traps, septic systems, and cesspools. Drain cleaner instantly moves to the bottom of standing water to break up blockages. Includes an odorless non-acid formula that won't damage your pipes or fixtures.
What is the difference between gel and liquid drain cleaner?
One benefit that many people see in the gel-based drain cleaner is that the gel takes longer to go down the drain, so it spends more time “working” on the clog. Liquid-based drain cleaners, on the other hand, go down the drain quicker, which means they don’t spend as much time in direct contact with the clog. However, both gel and liquid drain cleaners have similar success rates.
Why keep drain cleaners out of children's reach?
Keep drain cleaners and all other dangerous chemicals out of the reach and sight of children for safety reasons.
How long does it take for a drain cleaner to work?
Works great on metal pipes, garbage disposals, and septic systems. Specially formulated to quickly address clogs. Starts working in 7 minutes or less. Drain cleaner instructions are easy to follow. Sold with a money-back guarantee.
What to use before calling a plumber?
Before calling a plumber, try using a consumer drain cleaner. More often than not, they can solve the problem before a plumber is ever called.
How much does it cost to clean a drain?
Inexpensive: Between $10 and $15, you’ll find drain cleaners that are mostly of the liquid variety. They include the most popular and common brands and are both acidic and alkaline.
How to get hair out of drain?
Use liquid drain cleaners to break up minor hair blocks when they begin to form. They’re usually slightly less expensive than gel drain cleaners. Store drain cleaners, including liquid varieties, out of the reach of young children or pets.
What is the best way to remove hair from a drain?
When hot or cold water comes into contact with the powder, the chemical agents are activated to dissolve grime and hair buildup. Powders and granules are best for flushing away the grease and oils that coat pipes that catch hair. They also can be a good option for tackling clumps of hair in the drain.
What is a drain snake?
A drain snake can break up the biggest blocks and prime your pipes for the second step: drain cleaner. With the exception of the drain snake, the application process for most drain cleaners is quite similar. First, read the directions on the label.
How long does it take for a green gobbler to unclog a drain?
Pour 1 quart of Green Gobbler drain cleaner slowly down the drain; it usually takes at least two hours to unclog the hair. To maximize the unclogging action, you may want to wait overnight before flushing with hot water.
What is a gel drain cleaner?
Gel drain cleaners are designed specifically to move through pipes slower than liquids, so the active ingredients have more time to eat away at the grime that’s stuck to pipe walls.
Why does my drain smell?
If hair or another substance has blocked the drain for a long time , the drain may have an unpleasant odor. This odor is caused by bacteria that grows in the dirt and hair stuck in the pipes. Most drain cleaners also effectively eliminate the odors associated with clogs as they dissolve and flush away the debris.
What is the best way to clean hair clogs?
Liquid drain cleaners, a common solution to quickly dissolve a pesky drain blockage, typically combine bleach and lye to create liquid with natural enzymes or corrosive chemicals that dissolve or loosen hair clogs.