Gentle Drain Cleaner
Eliecer Brathwaite
Drano's Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover works quickly too, without any elbow grease on your part. Simply pour the formula down a backed-up sink or drain and let it go to work. For minor clogs and slow-flowing drains, the gel works in 15 to 30 minutes. It can even help clear clogs in standing water. In the case of a persistent clog, you might have to apply the solution a second time and it's safe to let it sit overnight to work. At less than $10 a bottle, it's still a great value.
Besides its fast-acting results, our testers also like that this drain cleaner doesn't have an exceptionally caustic odor. Any lingering smell of the unscented product can be easily mitigated by turning on a bathroom fan.
One note: While Drano's gel cleaner is tough on drain clogs, it's not intended for use in toilets. That's because it doesn't contain microorganisms which are needed to break down toilet paper and organic matter trapped in the plumbing line.
Liquid-Plumr is another well-known brand with an established track record that offers great value. This thick gel is specifically formulated to blast through the clumps of hair that slow down sink, tub and shower drains. The manufacturer claims it is septic-safe and we have no reason to think otherwise based on our extensive experience with other Liquid-Plumr products.
Keep in mind, however, that this product isn't up for all drain issues. "It's an oxidizing cleaner, so while it's very tough on organic matter like hair and food, it's less effective on grease," says DiClerico. Translation: Don't reach for it in the kitchen.
Our experts like the economy and ease-of-use of Green Gobbler's single-use packs. No measuring, no mess: You simply pour a packet down the drain or toilet, add hot water and wait 15 to 30 minutes before flushing with clean water. Based on our tests, you can expect anywhere from two to five drain clearings out of a single purchase.
Our testers say you might need to leave the powder overnight for tough clogs, and possibly even try a second treatment. While the packs themselves are odorless, some clogs may give off a stinky smell as the buildup dissolves. Once the drain is thoroughly flushed, we found the fumes quickly dissipated.
Overall, this product is both convenient and effective, and our testers like that the package includes a manual clog remover tool to help the process along. Green Gobbler has garnered more than 7,400 five-star ratings on Amazon.
Want to steer clear of chemical drain cleaners? Bio-Clean uses a special combination of naturally-occurring bacteria and enzymes to digest organic waste such as hair, grease, soap scum, paper, food particles and more.
Our experts say it's worth a try, especially in areas like the garbage disposal, since we found this product does an excellent job of dissolving lodged food. We also like it as a once-per-month maintenance product, advice echoed by many reviewers who have used Bio-Clean as a preventative maintenance product and swear by its effectiveness. It's also safe to use in toilets.
An ounce (or tw0) of prevention goes a long way when it comes to keeping your drains clog-free. CLR's Clear Pipes and Drains is a once-a-month treatment that makes the process incredibly easy. "For big, busy households where showers, sinks and toilets have to work overtime, we highly recommend this routine plumbing maintenance," says DiClerico.
Just make sure to use hot water, which is required to warm the pipes to dissolve and activate the crystals before you thoroughly flush the drain. Reviewers were impressed by how quickly the product really does work, though many note that it's even more effective if you leave it to work on grease traps overnight.
Because Thrift is a strong chemical cleaner, take proper precautions to protect yourself as well as surfaces around the area you're trying to clear. And remember: Thrift should not be used in garbage disposals or in standing water, like that found in clogged toilets.
XionLab Safer Drain Opener works well on hair or grease clogs, so it's best suited to showers and bathroom sinks. But we don't recommend it for toilets or kitchen sinks, since its formulation is not effective against paper, plastics or food particles.
How exactly does it work? The septic-safe biodegradable formula is a balance between acidic/caustic cleaners and mild enzymatic cleaners. Users say the gel is highly effective on specific types of clogs and can even cut through standing water to clear mild obstructions in about two hours.
The flexible Vastar Drain Snake is an inexpensive, chemical-free option to manually remove clogs from kitchen and bathroom drains. "It's a good idea to keep a few of these on hand since the tool can be enough to clear a clog in seconds," says DiClerico.
The plastic snake reaches about 20 inches into drain pipes and flexes at the P-trap, where most obstructions occur. The barbs grab onto hair and other messy clogs, allowing you to remove or dislodge them. Many reviewers, while loving this product and how well it works, reminded us how icky some of these clogs smell, so you may want to wear a mask and crack the window or flip on the overhead fan in your bathroom. And work slowly and gently, since too much force can break the tool and even damage pipes.
If you've tried the plunger and you tried one of our cleaners and your toilet still is clogged, it's time to bring in the mechanical snake: a long, metal tool that claws at blockages located far down the plumbing line. The only problem with mechanical snakes is their sharp edges can damage a toilet's porcelain S-bend. That's why we like this auger-style snake, with its vinyl guard that prevents porcelain surfaces from getting scratched or cracked.
Lynn Redmile (she/her) is a contributing product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating nutrition, fitness, beauty, textiles, home, pet, and cleaning products since 2012. She brings over 30 years of data analysis and project management experience to the role.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
Of course, there is also the fact that anything you pour down the drain goes out into the environment, affecting local wildlife and plants. The chemicals found in these cleaners are toxic to animals and may also contribute to smog.
If you do end up using a chemical cleaner, make sure there is no ammonia in it, a common ingredient. The reaction caused by mixing chemicals can create chlorine gas, a toxic combination that attacks the lungs, eyes, and skin. Some chemical reactions can even be deadly.
Drop two to three tablets into the sink, and follow up with cider vinegar. You should wait for about two minutes for the Alka-Seltzer to start reacting, but once you see it happening, turn on that hot water all the way. It smells nice too! It may not work for the worst of clogs, but it can be great for smaller ones.
This DIY cleaner may take a while to react, so you will have to let it sit before testing the results. Mix cup salt, cup borax, and cup vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain, and, again, add hot water.
This is not a DIY recipe, but it is an environmentally safe and chemical-free cleaner that you can find in certain stores, online, or purchase from CW Service Pros. Enzymatic drain cleaners contain bacteria that feed on organic waste, which is perfect for clearing out hair or food. The bacteria actually reproduce in the drain, spreading throughout the system and removing any organic clogs. Enzymatic cleaners are ideal to use in septic tanks and will keep you from having to pump the system too often.
If there still seems to be no improvement, it may be time to call a plumber. If you live in the North Texas area, we would be happy to help! CW Service Pros specializes in drain cleaning and using tools like cameras, sewer snakes, smoke, and hydrojetting. We can get to the bottom of your clogged pipes! We can even offer you an ongoing supply of enzymatic cleaners for use on your septic system or for your home drain maintenance program.
"Homemade drain cleaners don't use the same harsh chemicals found in traditional drain cleaners, making it safer for your home and your family," says Vineta Jackson, founder of The Handyman's Daughter. "You probably already have the ingredients in your pantry, so it's less expensive, too."
Most run-of-the mill clogs are caused by fatty deposits and other gunk that coats the side of a pipe, eventually restricting water flow. A homemade drain cleaner made with baking soda and boiling water will dissolve those deposits, clearing the drain, says Jackson.
"The coarse grit of the salt will gently scrape the inside of your pipes and loosen up trapped debris," Jackson says, while the vinegar will chemically react with the baking soda, lifting grime from the pipes.
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