Real Simple may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email on this website. By now you probably know that enzymes are naturally occurring bacteria that break down residue. This product is intended for use in sinks, tubs, and shower drains. If you dont like the idea of using chemicals in your homes pipes, you can clean the shower drain manually with the Drainx Pro Steel Drum Auger Plumbing Snake. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Lastly, run hot water to drain away anything that remains. 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 thats stuck to pipe walls. We like Dranos Max Gel Clog Remover because its highly effective and reasonably priced. However, not all drain cleaners are well-equipped to clear and break up difficult hair clogs. Drano is known for its liquid solutions to clogs, whether they be in your bathroom or in your kitchen. A drain snake is a long tool designed to take out the physical material thats clogging your drain. Afterwards, you simply wash any remaining hair down the pipe with water. Who it's for: People who want to prevent future clogs using natural ingredients. The TubShroom Tub Drain Protector is an in-drain hair catcher with a unique design. What we like: Breaks down hair and other blockages, works in as little as 30 minutes. We also spoke to two cleaning expertsAlicia Johnson, owner of Cleaning Green LLC, and Ray Brosnan, co-founder of Brosnan Property Solutionsfor tips and insight on how drain cleaners work and exactly what to look for when buying one. It comes with a storage bag and gloves to help you keep your hands clean while you work. Its not recommended for toilets, garbage disposals, or dishwashers. The thick gel consistency adheres better to dirty surfaces to dissolve hair and soap scum. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Best Overall Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Clog Remover, Best Natural Drain Cleaner: Earthworm Drain Cleaner, Best Drain Cleaner for Hair: Liquid-Plumr Hair Eliminator Gel, Best Drain Cleaner for Sinks: Rockwell InVade Bio Drain Gel, Best Drain Cleaner for Toilets: Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Line Drain Opener, Best Drain Cleaner for Grease: Pequa Heavy Duty Drain Opener, Best Enzymatic Drain Cleaner: Bio-Clean Bacteria Waste Eliminator, Best Crystal Drain Cleaner: Insta-Flo Odorless Drain Cleaner, Best Drain Cleaner for Prevention: CLR Clear Pipes and Drains Monthly Build-Up Remover, All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Even though this product is much more expensive than our top pick, we think its versatility, cleaning power, and safe ingredients are worth itespecially if you need to unclog a toilet drain. 34 Great Books to Suit Any Mood or Interest. Many cleaners recommend safety goggles or gloves to protect your eyes and skin during use. Both types of drain cleaners can dissolve hair in pipes. An organic or natural drain cleaner is typically enzyme-based, and it utilizes bacteria to break down organic proteins, including hair, mildew, and food particles. This formula liquefies grease, hair, soap scum, and other organic materials in a matter of minutes, and its unique double-sided container has two pre-measured applications, so you don't have to worry about using too much or too little. This is exactly what makes this enzymatic cleaner safe to use in toilets, unlike other caustic or acidic cleaners. Professor Amos SuperFast Drain Cleaner is a commercial-grade, excellent option for those who need their pipes unclogged fast. Theyre usually slightly less expensive than gel drain cleaners. Repeat as necessary to fully dislodge the hair clog. Who it isn't for: People who don't want to flush the drain with boiling water after using this cleaner., Most of the recommendations on our list come in liquid and gel form, but crystal formulas are the strongest type of chemical drain cleaner. One of the quickest ways to remove a hair clog is with a drain snake. TubShroom Drain Protector Hair Catcher, How to Make a Homemade Drain Cleaner That Will Demolish Clogs, The Best Shower Tile Cleaners to Make Your Shower Shine, The Best Cleaners for Glass Shower Doors to Keep Them Sparkling, Inspect Plumbing Regularly to Prevent Expensive Problems, Learn How to Freshen and Unclog a Drain With Baking Soda, The Right Way to Use a Standard Drain Plunger, How to Snake a Drain (and Stop Slow Drains Forever), How to Use a Drain Snake to Quickly Clear Shower Clogs, The Best Washing Machine Cleaners for a Fresh Laundry Routine, The Telltale Signs of a Clogged Sewer Drain in Your House, 8 Essential Tasks to Do Regularly for Septic Tank Maintenance. You can then simply throw away the refill wand and all the gunk that came with it. This option not only comes in cheaper than many other hair clog liquid solutions, but it also comes in a huge 80 oz bottle, making it an even better value. This reliable and effective cleaner is a thick gel that goes deep in sinks, pipes, and drains to reach the source of the clog and completely dissolve it. Chemical cleaners work similarly, breaking down clogs through heat generated by a chemical reaction. You can then flush the drain with hot water and repeat as needed. Hair is one of the most common culprits that clogs up shower drains, and if youre dealing with a tough blockage caused by hair, you may want to try the Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver. Experts agree: Drano Max Gel is the best overall drain cleaner because it works quickly to get rid of tough clogs. First, read the directions on the label. However, some drain cleaners emit unpleasant fumes as they work. A drain snake can break up the biggest blocks and prime your pipes for the second step: drain cleaner. This gel comes in an 80-ounce bottle, and its safe to use on PVC, metal pipes, and even septic systems. The products label indicates how long to wait for the drain cleaner to work. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Here's How to Tell. When hair is rinsed down, it gets trapped in the TubShroom, saving it from getting caught in your pipes. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Take a preemptive strike at hair clogs by preventing them before they even happen with this hair clog stopper. They must be safely handled and carefully stored. While some of these options contain heavy chemicals, many are all-natural and safe to use without protective gear or in homes with children and pets. Mental health experts explain anhedonia and how you can bounce back from this joyless state of mind. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. To operate it, you feed the metal cable into the drain. Environmentally-conscious consumers, in particular, may want to try to clear their clogs with a drain snake before trying other methods. Overall, a gel drain cleaner is more efficient than a liquid cleaner at breaking up a tough hair clog, but it can be more expensive. While natural enzyme drain cleaners are less toxic, they also are typically less powerful and slower at breaking up hair clogs. Who it's for: People with slow drains or severe clogs. This list has you covered, no matter how you're feeling. Chemical drain cleaners are more corrosive; in fact, they may eventually damage your plumbing if used frequently or in large amounts. If after several tries your drain is still not clear, Brosnan recommends trying out drain-cleaning tools such as a snake or plunger. To effectively clear away these clogs and bugs in almost any sink, Rockwell's InVade Bio Drain Gel is the best choice. To determine which type is best for you, it's important to consider the type of clog you're dealing with, how quickly you need the clog resolved, and the material and age of your pipes. If your clog persists, the company recommends repeating the process. However, if the thought of coming face to face with a wad of greasy old hair makes you feel icky, then a chemical cleaner might be the best bet. This distinction refers to the active ingredients in the drain cleaner that dissolve or break up clogs. But you dont need to call the plumber just yet. This drain cleaner can be used on all types of pipes, as well as with septic systems, and it helps to clear up common drain stoppages, including those caused by hair and grease. There are two basic types of drain cleaners: natural (enzymatic) and chemical (caustic or acidic). One of the best ways to avoid future clogs is by using a preventative drain cleaner. Vastar's set of snakes have a barbed wire-like design, making it more efficient for capturing hair clogging your drain. All you need is a tape measure and a little free time. Bio-Cleans formula includes no harsh or dangerous chemicals, which means that its skin- and pipe-friendly. Not to worry, it's still an effective hair clog blaster that works quickly. While it may take two tries to be fully successful, this cleaner is so powerful that it will quickly become the first thing you reach for when you need to unclog a drain. Shower drains blockages can be caused by scum, dirt, and hair, and they can lead to slow draining or even standing water if the clog is bad enough. All you have to do is pour 16 ounces of the gel down your shower drain (or 32 ounces for extremely slow-running drains) and wait 15 to 30 minutes. You can use these snakes multiple times, unlike liquid options. Chemical drain cleaners are either alkaline-based, with ingredients such as sodium hydroxide (lye) and potassium hydroxide (caustic potash); or acid-based, with high concentrations of sulfuric acid (oil of vitriol). Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about drain cleaners for hair clogs here. Many of these options are safe to use on copper, stainless steel, and other metal pipes, while select picks can also be used on PVC and plastic. She covers home products for The Spruce. For this reason, those with septic systems will want to look for a septic-safe drain cleaner, such as this one from XIONLAB. All you have to do is clean it off after each shower. For difficult blockages, the drain cleaner may need to sit overnight. To keep blockages away, the label suggests using this cleaner monthly (preferably overnight or during times of minimal water usage) on bathroom drains, kitchen drains, and garbage disposals. All the organic waste and buildup found in drains (like hair, soap scum, and paper) act as food for the bacteria in this drain cleaner. PowerPoint Parties Are the Party Trend You Have to Try: Here's How to Host One.

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