Please note that Richard Epstein, licensed master plumber and The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board member, stresses that drain cleaners can be very damaging to your plumbing over time. He recommends not using them and instead calling a professional who can fix the clogged drain with an electric snake. In addition, Katie Berry, cleaning expert and The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member, warns against combining products or using different cleaners one after the other, as they may contain ingredients that are not compatible and extremely harmful. It’s also best to use a cleaner in a well-ventilated area. Lastly, Berry recommends “notifying a plumber about any remedies you’ve used, so they know what they’re working with.” Our favorite shower drain cleaner, the Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver, is safe for PVC, copper, steel, and iron pipes, as well as septic systems. It’s also fume-free and biodegradable. Below, find the best shower drain cleaners on the market. Designed to cut through organic matter, this choice liquifies everything from hair and paper, to grease and soap scum. It’s also helpful in clearing sink and toilet clogs. Additionally, this choice tops our list because it comes with a handy pre-measured, dual-chamber system, so you won’t need to guess at amounts or measure yourself. Pour in one chamber for shower or sink drains, or pour in both for toilet clogs. Then simply follow package instructions to clear the obstruction. Price at time of publish: $15 This option can work through standing water to dissolve many types of clogs. It also works as an odor remover. Best of all, it features the company’s proprietary Pipeguard, so it’s safe for all types of pipes, as well as septic systems. Price at time of publish: $17 Using a simple four-step process, this snake can clear tough blockages where plungers and chemicals have failed. Its spring can bend over 90 degrees to follow your piping without snapping, so it will find its way to clogs no matter the location. Effective on all your home’s drains, including floor drains and the toilet, you likely won’t need another tool for clearing clogs. If you’ve never used a drain snake before, note that you should wear the included rubber gloves and be ready for quite a mess to come out of your pipes. Price at time of publish: $23 All you need to do is place the plunger over your drain and press it down so that the seal locks in place. Then plunge downward and release several times to dislodge your clog, repeating as necessary. When you’re finished, just clean it off and stash it away under the sink or wherever you like—its small size lets you store it nearly anywhere that’s convenient for you. Price at time of publish: $14 Durably constructed of steel and silicone, this quality stopper is likely to last you a while. It’s simple and attractive, so you won’t need to hide it when guests stay overnight. And thankfully, mildew and mold will stay noticeably missing as its silicone coating wipes clean. Price at time of publish: $12 To use Drano Max Gel, just pour your first two cups into the clogged drain, then wait 15 minutes (or as long as 30 minutes, if you suspect the clog is larger or tougher than average). Then use hot water to flush the drain and assess how well it worked. Repeat if necessary. This gel is super tough on clogs, but it also comes with an odor, so you’ll want to open a window or turn on a fan while using it, as you should with a majority of cleaners. Price at time of publish: $10 This solution can be used on currently clogged drains or as a monthly treatment to keep drains clear. In both cases, it’s very easy to use. You just take a measured scoop of the Bio-Clean powder treatment, pour it into an average glass of water, and stir it up. Once mixed in, pour the solution into your drain (any drain will do for monthly maintenance) and let it work. The enzymes start working within 30 minutes and will start to clear the blockage immediately—although it could take a day or two to see optimal results. Price at time of publish: $50 Suitable for any standard 1.5 to 4-inch drain, this stopper actually replaces the original shower drain cover. It’s crafted of stainless steel, so it should last you a nice long while, too. If you’re looking to dodge chemical cleaners and be proactive when it comes to your drain’s care, it’s a superb clog prevention method. Price at time of publish: $18 Other store-bought drain cleaners use various chemicals, like bleach, to clear clogs. While these are typically faster-acting, they also might damage your pipes. In addition, Katie Berry, cleaning expert and The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member, warns that these type of cleaners can be harmful and hazardous to use. You should never mix cleaners or use different cleaners one after the other, as they may contain ingredients that are not compatible. It’s also best to open up a window when using your drain cleaner and ventilate the area well. Stoppers, plungers, and snakes are more hands-on options that are also more eco-friendly. They’re usually more preventative or pipe-preserving when used correctly. For deeper or chunkier clogs, you’ll need a tool like a snake. Most plungers, liquids, and crystals won’t clear tougher clogs. However, Richard Epstein, licensed master plumber and The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board member, does recommend calling in a professional over using your own drain cleaner, so you don’t damage your plumbing. If you don’t have experience using a drain snake or other heavy-duty tool, it also is best to call in a professional.
Additional Safety Precautions
Some products contain hazardous chemicals that should be handled with great care. Be sure to read labels thoroughly before using any store-bought drain cleaning product. As noted above, always keep the area well-ventilated and stay back from the drain as chemicals are poured in to avoid splashing or fumes. Additionally, most drain snakes sold for home use require that safety goggles be worn. To preserve your pipes, familiarize yourself with your plumbing and research what types of products won’t damage it. Most chemical drain cleaners require that a chemical reaction occurs for clogs to clear, which is typically not great for pipes of any kind, especially when used over time. Since store-bought chemical drain cleaners can be very damaging to your plumbing over time, Epstein advises you to call a professional to clear your pipes with an electric snake.
Time Needed
Depending upon the ingredients in the product, and the size and type of your clog, it can take between a few minutes to over 24 hours for a drain to clear. Again, read labels thoroughly and be mindful of how much time each step of the process should take, and if or when to add more water or complete further steps.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by KJ Callihan. She has written shopping, activity, and dining guides for The Spruce as well as AAA Northeast magazine, CNET, Best of the Web, Finfrock Marketing, Oh My Veggies, Outward On, and more. For this guide, she researched the details of numerous products, ingredient lists, and user reviews to arrive at her final choices. She also interviewed Richard Epstein, licensed master plumber and The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board member, and Gary Feldhahn, plumbing supervisor at Home Depot, for their expertise on the subject. Let it sit for approximately 10 or 15 minutes, then slowly pour some more boiling water in. You can also try pouring in a half-cup of liquid dish soap, letting it sit for about 10 or 15 minutes, then pouring hot water in. (For non-metal pipes, you can use hot water—like the hottest temperature you could shower in—but not boiling.) This article was edited by Erin Johnson, a commerce editor at The Spruce. Erin focuses on appliances, cleaning, and organization at The Spruce and has also written for Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple, and Southern Living. Erin has long hair and is all too familiar with clogged shower drains. She has used three of the products on this list and highly recommends the ShowerShroom for preventing clogs, and Drano Max Gel or a snake for tackling tough clogs.
