Best Drain Cleaners
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Imagine waking up one morning and finding that you can’t use your shower or kitchen sink because it’s clogged. A hassle, right? You have to get your plumber’s snake out and start working on that clog so you can (hopefully) get ready for work. But there are stubborn clogs that plumber’s snakes simply cannot dislodge. You need the strongest drain cleaner for stubborn clogs like these.

Drain clog removers are made with chemicals that are powerful enough to dissolve several months’ worth of hair, grease, food debris, and other gunk trapped in your pipes. There are different types of drain clog removers. Let’s take a look at each type and see if they are safe to use at home.

Types of Drain Cleaners

If you’re trying to get rid of a particularly stubborn clog caused by toilet paper, hair, soap scum, grease, and food, then choose an acidic drain cleaner. But keep in mind that this is one of the strongest drain cleaners in the market, and it can only be used in newer homes with plastic and copper pipes. 

Because it is made of hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid compounds, it is not safe for use in old plastic pipes, as well as those made of steel and aluminum. Always wear protective gloves, safety glasses, a respirators or mask, and protective clothing when handling acidic drain cleaners.

Caustic drain cleaner is another type of chemical drain clog remover. It contains alkaline compounds that can dissolve grease, food, and other gunk stuck in your drain. However, some caustic cleaners might not work as well in dissolving toilet paper. 

Like acidic drain cleaners, caustic drain cleaners can be used in newer plastic, stainless steel, copper, and other metal pipes. Do not use them in pipes that are older than 20 years as the strong chemicals can corrode them. 

Caustic drain cleaners live up to their name, so always wear protective clothing, a pair of gloves, a respirator or mask, and a pair of safety glasses when handling them.    

When selecting a drain cleaner, it is important to consider the specific type of clog you are dealing with, the compatibility with your plumbing system, and any safety precautions necessary. Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and take appropriate safety measures when using these products.

If you want a gentler formulation that won’t corrode your pipes and damage your expensive toilet or bathtub, then enzymatic drain cleaners are a perfect choice. These drain cleaners are marketed as “greener” options as they contain bacteria that produce certain enzymes. These enzymes break down food debris, paper, hair, and other organic compounds, making them more environment-friendly compared to chemical drain openers.

Enzymatic drain cleaning should be done once a month to keep your drain clog-free. There’s no need to use personal protective equipment when handling this type of drain cleaner.

1.
Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover & Drain Cleaner Powder (5 Pack & 5 Tools)
  • ELIMINATE 20+ DRAIN CLOGS: Break up the toughest clogs with Green Gobbler Drain Opening Powder. You don't need to guess how much product to use; simply add 1 scoop of powder to your clogged drain and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before flushing with hot water. That's it.
  • EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Hair, soap scum, toilet paper, organic materials, and flushable hygiene products. Clear your clogs and keep your plumbing flowing properly
  • WORKS GREAT ON: Bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, kitchen sinks, floor drains, slop sinks, septic tanks, urinals and more.
  • BLEACH FREE FORMULA: Our product does not contain any bleach or sodium hydroxide and is safe for pipes, septic systems, and toilets.
2.
Liquid-Plumr Pro-Strength Clog Remover, Hair Clog Eliminator, 32 Fluid Ounces Total (Pack of 2), Packaging May Vary
  • Two 16 fl.oz. bottle of professional strength drain cleaner for hair clogs
  • Thick gel coats hair, eliminating hair clogs, the number one cause of blocked drains
  • Just pour, wait 15 minutes and flush hair clog away
  • Safe for septic systems and all pipes, including PVC, plastic, copper and old pipes
  • Saves time and money by empowering you to clear drains yourself
3.
Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner for Shower or Sink Drains, Unclogs and Removes Hair, Soap Scum and Blockages, 80 Oz
  • TRUSTED BRAND: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover is the #1 Selling Gel Drain Cleaner*. Avoid spending money on a plumber and use Drano.
  • FAST-ACTING: Starts working in 7 minutes. For best results, pour 16 oz slowly over drain. For extremely slow-running drains or complete clogs, use 32 oz. Allow Drano to sit for 15-30 minutes and flush with hot tap water. Repeat if necessary.
  • REMOVES CLOGS: Pours through standing water straight to the clog. Use Drano whenever major clogs occur.
  • SAFE ON PIPES: Safe for bathroom and kitchen and. Drano Max Gel includes an ingredient to protect pipes from corrosion over time without compromising the efficacy of the clog remover.
  • GREAT FOR PREVENTING CLOGS: Act on slow running drains before the clog forms. Cheaper than a plumber.
4.
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Thrift T-100 Alkaline Based 1-Pound Granular Drain Cleaner,Red
  • This product is highly durable
  • This product adds a great value
  • This product is manufactured in United states
  • THRIFT is the only four-solutions-in-one product that works on drains, sewer lines, grease traps and septic systems
  • THRIFT will clean out a drain line in less than 60 seconds
5. 6.
Roebic Professional Strength Drain Opener Liquid, Dissolves Grease, Hair and Soap Scum in Minutes, 32 Ounces (1 Quart)
  • OPENS TOUGH CLOGS: Roebic Professional Strength Drain Opener dissolves grease, hair and food, even through standing water, to keep drains clear
  • FOR HOME USE: Safe for plumbing fixtures and plastic pipes; Not for use in aluminum sinks, garbage disposals, lead traps or toilets
  • HEAVY DUTY CLEANER: The professional strength formula can effectively clear tough clogs from pipes and drains
  • ABOUT ROEBIC: For over 60 years, Roebic Laboratories, Inc. has provided targeted bacterial solutions for the treatment of septic systems and wastewater to keep your entire plumbing system running in tip top shape
7.
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Rockwell Labs IBDC032 Invade Bio Drain Gel-1 Qt
  • 4 oz. per drain. 1 quart bottle (8 applications)
  • Microbes and Citrus Oil
  • This product is to be used specifically for drains but can also be used to eliminate sugar snakes in soda fountain drip trays. It is also safe and effective to use in mop buckets and trash chutes and urinals.
  • Package Dimensions: 4.495 L x 25.603 H x 8.509 W (centimeters)

How To Prevent Bathroom and Kitchen Drains Clogs

  • As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can prevent grease and food debris from clogging your kitchen sink by using a very common item, and that is the drain strainer. You can also use this little stainless steel sieve to prevent clumps of hair from clogging your shower or bathtub.
  • Tampons, sanitary napkins, pantyliners, and other menstrual hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet. The same goes for baby wipes. The only thing you can flush down the toilet is toilet paper.
  • Clean your bathtub, bathroom sink, and shower regularly. Cleaning on a regular basis will help prevent hair and other gunk from accumulating in your drain trap.
  • Pouring grease down your kitchen sink is never a good idea as it can harden and clog your pipes over time. Pour grease into a sealable can or plastic container first before throwing it into the trash.
  • Be proactive. Pour hot water down your kitchen sink to get rid of any grease that has accumulated inside your pipes. Do this every week.
  • Oil, grease, potato skins, corn husks, and artichokes should never go into the garbage disposal. The same goes for eggshells, oyster shells, coffee grounds, banana peels, and bones. These items should also go into the trash if you don’t want your garbage disposal clogged.
  • Do not rinse cement or grout in your bathroom or kitchen sink. Sand and paint can also clog up your drains.
  • Don’t throw your used dental floss into the bathroom sink. Like hair, strands of dental floss can collect inside your pipes, causing it to clog.

best drain cleaner

Drain Cleaner Usage Safety Tips

  • Read the instructions on the back of the drain clog remover container carefully before pouring the liquid or granules down the drain.
  • Open your kitchen or bathroom windows and turn on exhaust fans when using acidic or caustic drain cleaners. Always make sure that the room is well-ventilated as some drain cleaners produce an overpowering rotten egg smell.
  • Pour the liquid or granules slowly and carefully down the drain. Some drain clog removers can damage your toilet bowl, bathroom sink, or bathtub, so make sure to read the instruction carefully s and pour the liquid down the drain directly.
  • Do not stand inside the bathtub or shower when pouring liquid clog remover down the drain.
  • Never mix bleach and other bathroom or kitchen cleaners with drain clog remover. Mixing drain clog removers with other commercial cleaners can produce toxic fumes or even an explosion.
  • Use hot water if the manufacturer recommends that you do so. Do not use boiling water to flush the liquid drain cleaner if you have PVC pipes. Extremely hot water can also melt your pipe seals and create cracks in your toilet bowl.

best drain cleaner

Conclusion:

The Green Gobbler Drain Cleaner is the best drain clog remover on the list. Let’s take a look at the features that make this drain opener different from the rest.

Many clog removers can be used in kitchen and bathroom sinks, showers, and bathtubs only, but their compounds are not powerful enough that they can be used in a clogged toilet. The Green Gobbler Drain Cleaner is one of the few clog removers that is versatile. It can be used in toilets, garbage disposal, utility sinks, and more. Plus, it is formulated to be safe for septic system use.

Unlike other drain clog removers, it is available in granules. Just pour the pre-measured granules directly into the drain or standing water, then wait for it to dissolve clumps of hair, grease, food, and other disgusting gunk stuck in your pipe. It is so powerful it can also melt away flushable wipes, as well as calcium, iron, and lime buildup. It is safe for use as the granules will not splash back to you while pouring it down the drain.

It takes away the guesswork as the granules are already premeasured and packed for an easy and safe application. It even comes with five hair removers to help you get rid of those nasty gunk.

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