The Best Drain Clog Remover

Buying Guide

If you’ve got a drain, sooner or later it’s going to clog. We don’t want to go into the gory details but there’s more going into your pipes than just water, whether we’re talking about a sink, toilet or shower drain. And when those solids back up or build up, your first resort is a good drain clog remover.

There are a lot of different ways to remove a drain clog, and the most popular come in a bottle. These liquid or gel solutions eat away at whatever is blocking your pipes, but not every cleaner is the best match for every clog — or every kind of pipe.

Acidic cleaners are often advertised as the most “heavy-duty” option, and they can work very quickly on solid clogs such as food or hair. You’ll definitely want to exercise a little more care when using these cleaners and be careful not to let them sit too long on the bottom of your sink since some brands may discolor the finish. Don’t exceed the recommended amount, and definitely don’t get them on your skin. Even the fumes from acidic cleaners can be harmful in an enclosed area. While these substances shouldn’t hurt your pipes with occasional use, they can eat away at older metal plumbing or thin plastic tubing.

Alkaline cleaners are more common, and while they may take a little longer to clear away your clog, they’re a lot safer to use. These products depend on a chemical reaction to break down organic matter, so they work best on kitchen sinks that suffer from a buildup of grease. You may need to wait a little while for them to work their magic, so follow the directions and don’t get impatient. They’re generally OK to leave in standing water overnight.

If you’re concerned about chemical odors or caustic ingredients, many enzymatic cleaners can be just as effective. These are the most eco-friendly option, relying on bio-active chemicals to break down clogs in a more natural way. Again, they may take longer but you won’t have to worry about any lingering chemical odors.

If none of these bottled cleaners can completely clear the clog, you may have to get a little more labor-intensive. Drain snake is a blanket term for any long wire or plastic mechanism designed to be fed into a drainpipe, grabbing hair or other waste and dragging it back out. It’s not the most pleasant cleaning method, but there’s really no substitute if solid matter is the main thing blocking your pipes. Just make sure you use them as directed, and make sure that you get a snake that’s made for your specific type of drain. Snakes that are too thick may end up pushing the blockage further down the pipe and compounding the problem.

If your drain is a little slow but not yet showing signs of serious blockage, you might be able to resolve things with a little household remedy. For some preventative medicine, you can simply pour dish soap down your bathroom or kitchen sink, chased by a good amount of boiling water. That may help clear away any grease that’s built up along the sides of the pipe. To help with hair or minor food buildup, try pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow that down with a cup of white vinegar, and the fizzing reaction should dissolve some of the grime.