We depend on our plumbing systems to do a lot for us, and even if you’re a stickler for cleanliness, you’ve likely had to deal with a clogged drain from time to time. And, although there are a few approaches to clearing it out, one of the most common is using a commercially available drain cleaner.
However, not all drain cleaners are created the same. Depending on your clog, there are different products that can best serve you. We’ve reviewed the most popular drain cleaners and our overall pick is Drano Max Gel, though we’ve highlighted others that are best for pets, grease, bathrooms, kitchens, and showers.
Best Drain Cleaners
| Product | Price | Features | Usage Notes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drano Max Gel | $9.47 | Safe for septic systems, garbage disposals, PVC pipes | Works in 15-30 min, effective for minor and severe clogs | Best Overall |
| Liquid-Plumr Pro-Strength Clog Destroyer Gel | $9.88 | Affordable, works on grease, hair, and soap scum | Contains Pipeguard, deodorizes, can prevent future clogs | Best Budget |
| Instant Power Hair and Grease Drain Opener | $20.23 | Non-acidic, odorless, dissolves hair and grease | Best left overnight, designed specifically for hair | Best for Pets and Hair |
| Bio Clean Drain and Septic | $49.95 | Biodegradable, eco-friendly, safe for kids and pets | Recommended as a multi-day treatment, avoid if fully clogged | Best for Kitchen Sinks |
| Thrift Odorless Drain Cleaner | $25.99 | Cuts through grease within 60 seconds | Well-ventilated use, goggles and gloves recommended | Best for Grease |
| Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver | $23.68 (two-pack) | Non-corrosive, safe for various pipe types, money-back guarantee | Works in 20-30 min, also suitable for toilet clogs | Best for Showers |
| Xion Labs Safer Drain Opener | $21.49 | Biodegradable, odorless, non-flammable, safe for all pipes | Environmentally friendly container, alters pH to dissolve clogs | Best for Bathroom Sinks |
Best Drain Cleaner Overall – Drano Max Gel
- Trusted brand
- Fast-acting in 7 mins
- Direct clog removal
- Pipe-safe formula
- Prevents future clogs
Drano Max Gel is our favorite for the best drain cleaner overall. It’s safe to use with septic systems, garbage disposals, and PVC pipes. It contains an ingredient that actually protects your pipes from corrosion. The Max Gel formula starts working in seven minutes but users should let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before flushing with hot water.
Customers swear by this product for both minor and severe clogs, since the thick bleach formula cuts through standing water to take care of hair, soap scum, and other gunk that can back up drains.
Best Cheap Drain Cleaner – Liquid-Plumr Pro-Strength Clog Destroyer Gel
- 3-in-1 clog remover
- Works on various clog types
- Pipe-safe formula
- Odor control
- Prevents future clogs
Liquid-Plumr is a great choice for those wanting to save money and works on grease, hair, and soap scum. This 80-ounce bottle has enough to use up to five times, making it an excellent value for your money and it starts working within minutes, even in standing water.
It can also prevent future clogs when used regularly and contains Liquid-Plumr’s patented Pipeguard that protects your pipes as it cleans. This product also deodorizes so you can use it in garbage disposals, kitchen sinks showers to get rid of unwanted odors.
Best Drain Cleaner for Pets and Hair – Instant Power Hair and Grease Drain Opener
- Dissolves hair
- Melts grease with heat
- Non-acid, safe for pipes
- 20x stronger
Instant Power has a full product line to tackle clogs, but its Hair and Grease Drain Opener is one of the most reliable for dealing with hair since it’s created specifically to eat through and dissolve hair.
As a bonus, this unique formulation also melts grease that can accumulate in kitchen sinks. It’s also a non-acidic, odorless formula that’s safe to use so you don’t have to worry about it splashing out or causing damage to your pipes. For best results, this drain cleaner should sit overnight.
Best Drain Cleaner for Kitchen Sinks – Bio Clean Drain and Septic
- 2 lb canister
- Digests waste, prevents backups
- Safe, eco-friendly
- Multi-purpose use
Bio Clean Drain and Septic is one of the most expensive products on our list, but customers swear by its effectiveness in clearing kitchen sinks as well as septic tanks. Plus, this two-pound container can give you as many as 100 drain treatments. Another draw of this product is that it’s environmentally friendly and 100% biodegradable. This means it’s safe to use around kids and pets since it uses natural microbes and enzymes to dissolve organic matter like food and grease.
This product will take longer to work than its chemical competitors with the directions recommending a five-day treatment. Ideally, this is done at night. Also, this product is not recommended if your drain is completely clogged and no water is draining at all.
Best Drain Cleaner for Grease – Thrift Odorless Drain Cleaner
- Durable, USA-made
- Quick drain cleaner, safe on surfaces
- Odorless, non-acid, sodium hydroxide formula
- Indefinite shelf life
Thrift Odorless Drain Cleaner claims to cut through grease within 60 seconds, and based on the countless five-star reviews it receives, it lives up to the hype. This granular product should be added directly to the clogged drain and let sit for 60 seconds before flushing with hot water.
Note that Thrift uses sodium hydroxide which can produce fumes that can be odorous and noxious to breathe in (even though it claims to be odorless), so we recommend only using it in a well-ventilated area and following the directions to wear goggles and gloves.
Best Drain Cleaner for Showers – Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver
- Clears hair, soap, and wipes
- Two treatments per bottle
- Safe for multiple plumbing fixtures
- Bleach-free, odorless
- 30-day guarantee
Shower drains are notorious for getting clogged with hair and soap scum, and the Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver works within 20 to 30 minutes. Its non-corrosive formula means you’ll have peace of mind knowing you can take care of clogs without causing long-term damage to your pipes – whether they’re PVC, cast iron, copper, or ABS.
Plus, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. And, unlike some of the other products on our list, you can also use this for toilet clogs since it eats through toilet paper.
Best Drain Cleaner for Bathroom Sinks – Xion Labs Safer Drain Opener
- Attacks clogs at the root
- Non-toxic, eco-friendly
- Safe for all pipes, Terra Care certified
- Septic-safe and effective
- Family-owned, supports charity
Xion Labs makes effective and non-acid based products that don’t produce toxic chemicals. The Xion Labs Safer Drain Opener is professional strength, completely biodegradable, odorless, and non-flammable. It works by sticking to the walls of your pipes and altering the pH to dissolve the clog.
It’s safe to use on all pipes and as part of the company’s commitment to being environmentally friendly, even the container is made using post-consumer recycled plastic. This is a good choice for consumers who want a safer, environmentally-friendly product that actually works.
Honorable Mentions
Here are some other great products we like:
Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover Powder: This easy-to-use kit comes with five pre-measured packs of Green Goblin’s powered drain opener you can use on shower drains, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, and toilets. You also get five hair drain snake tools for stubborn clogs.
Rejuvenate Disposer and Pipe Cleaner: The Rejuvenate Disposer and Pipe Cleaner pods are best used to clean and eliminate odors in garbage disposals. These foaming pods come in a pack of six and are completely biodegradable so you don’t have to worry about having harsh chemicals in your home. Plus, you can choose between a lavender and lemon scent.
Liquid-Plumr Hair Eliminator Gel: Hair clogs are major culprits of clogged drains and pipes, and Liquid-Plumr Hair Eliminator Gel can tackle even the worst of them. This ultra-thick gel coats hair clogs and starts dissolving them within minutes.
Vaster Drain Snakes: Snaking a drain is often the best first step when you notice water starting to drain slowly, and at 19.6 inches long, the Vaster Drain Snakes can get to nearly any clog. This pack comes with four flexible, barbed wands that will grab onto hair, food, and other obstructions.
Zep Drain Defense: Zep makes enzymatic drain opening products which are a great option for those wanting to keep their home free of harsh and caustic chemicals. This safe and biodegradable product works on sinks, toilets, and showers and with regular use can prevent new clogs from forming.
Will Drain Cleaner Damage My Pipes?
Most plumbers will advise you not to use drain cleaners on a regular basis, and this isn’t just because they want your business. Overusing drain cleaners has the potential to cause long-term problems for plumbing systems, but this is highly dependent on the type of cleaner that’s used and how often it’s used. Ideally, drain cleaners should be used sparingly and only for minor clogs, and if possible a mechanical method like a plunger or snake should be tried first.
One big factor that contributes to how much damage drain cleaners can cause depends on their formulation, and this generally falls into one of these categories:
- Caustic: Caustic drain cleaners contain alkaline chemicals like lye or caustic potash. These products work by heating up the grease or food debris that’s stuck in your drain causing it to become thinner and able to be rinsed away with hot water. If overused, these can cause your pipes to corrode and crack.
- Oxidizing: Oxidizing cleaners are made with bleach or nitrates and work similarly to caustic formulas but are more acidic. These are the most common products found in stores.
- Acidic: Acid-based cleaners are often used by professional plumbers because they can be harsh and dangerous if used incorrectly. These are usually made with hydrochloric or sulfuric acid and cause chemical reactions within the pipe which produces heat. These are effective but should only be used sparingly and only with the very worst clogs because they can cause a lot of damage to pipes.
- Enzymes: Enzyme cleaners work by “eating” organic material that gets stuck in drains. In general, these are much gentler on your pipes and won’t cause corrosion, but they do take a lot longer to work.
The potential damage that drain cleaner causes is also dependent on the type of pipe you have. In some cases, it can be more dangerous to use these products with PVC pipes because the heat caused by chemical cleaners can melt and warp them. With metal pipes, you run the risk of corrosion which can eventually cause them to crack or form holes.
Safety Tips
Each product is formulated differently and will have instructions for use which should be followed exactly. However, there are a few general safety precautions you should take when using most drain cleaners:
🧴 Pour the cleaner slowly: Pour it slowly into the drain to prevent splashing.
👓 Wear gloves and goggles: Not all drain cleaners advise you to wear gloves and goggles, but this is a good idea if you’re using a product that can release noxious chemical odors.
💨 Open a window: Chemical cleaners can create odors and toxic fumes when they break down clogs, so turn on a fan or open a window to let in fresh air and keep the air circulating.
🚽 Be careful with the toilet: You have to be especially cautious anytime you have a toilet clog because porcelain can crack and break very easily. If you’ve already tried a plunger, you should try an enzymatic cleaner next which will be gentler on the toilet and your pipes.
👍 Flush out completely: Most directions for drain cleaners call for you to flush the drain out with hot water after you’ve cleared the clog to get rid of all the excess chemicals, and you should never skip this step.
Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners
Because using drain cleaners multiple times in your pipes has the potential to cause long-term damage, there are a few good alternatives you could try first depending on the severity of your clog.
Plunger
A basic plunger is your first line of defense when it comes to loosening clogs, but it should be done right away and won’t be as effective on clogs that have built up over days or weeks.
Drain Snake
There are a few types of drain snakes, and these are often a good option to try before a drain cleaner, especially if you think the cause of the clog is hair. The cheapest and easiest type to use is a flat, plastic hair clog remover. These are usually barbed, around one to two feet in length. They can be used in most drains to grasp onto hair and other debris and then lifted out of the drain.
For tougher clogs or ones that go further into your pipes, you need to use a flat snake or a mechanical snake. These can be purchased from any home improvement store but should be used with caution, especially if you think your pipes may already be broken because they can cause more damage. Also, you shouldn’t use a mechanical snake on toilet clogs because they can easily crack porcelain.
Enzymatic Cleaning Product
Enzymatic drain cleaners use bacteria and enzymes that eat away organic material and they can be very effective. However, these are generally better for smaller clogs or regular drain maintenance since they can require regular applications over several days or weeks to fully dissolve clogs.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
This is a tried and true method and one that’s easy to try since you likely have the two ingredients on hand. Start by pouring one cup of baking soda into your clogged drain followed by one cup of vinegar and letting it sit for up to one hour before flushing with hot water. For extra tough clogs, you can use half baking soda and half salt to get a more abrasive substance and use boiling vinegar. Do note that while boiling vinegar is safe, it can release carbon monoxide into the air, so it should only be done in a well-ventilated space.
Dish Soap
Using plain dish soap is a good alternative to clogs in the kitchen sink because these are most often caused by built-up grease and ordinary dish soap can cut through this. Combine a couple tablespoons of dish soap with 2 liters of hot water and pour it into your drain. Follow up by flushing with boiling water.
Call a Plumber
If you’ve already tried DIY approaches to clearing a drain, have ongoing problems, or are worried you might damage your pipes by continuing to use chemical drain cleaners, you’re likely better off by calling in a plumber. A professional plumber has the tools and industry knowledge to assess difficult situations, address all types of clogs, and take care of them in a way that solves your problems without causing lasting damage.
Using a liquid or powder drain cleaner won’t be the answer for every clogged drain, but it can be an easy and effective solution. First, you’ll have to consider how severe the clog is, what it’s composed of, and in what part of the house it’s in. If you do decide to use a product like this, make sure you’ve read up about alternatives and precautions and follow all the directions.
FAQ
To prevent your pipes from clogging, you should always use drain screens and a hair catcher in your shower. In addition, avoid putting grease or excess food scraps down your drain and regularly flush your drains with hot water.
If you regularly wash your pets in the bathtub, you’ve likely had to deal with a few clogged drains. Luckily, drain cleaners that are formulated especially for human hair will also work on dog and cat hair. This problem can be more pronounced if you’re dealing with long dog or cat hair length. For long hair, try a plastic snake tool first. If it becomes an ongoing problem, you could always consider getting one of the hairless cat breeds and you’ll never have to worry about pet hair again!
How long a drain cleaner takes to work really depends on the product. Some of them can work in as few as one to five minutes, others take up to an hour, while still others should be used overnight or even for multiple days at a time.
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