Don’t settle for mediocre drain cleaners to get the job done. Try one of these five best drain cleaners based on reviews!
A clogged drain is a major inconvenience. Not only is it annoying, but it’s also gross. Nobody wants to have to remove the clog or spend hours trying to use an auger, right?
Instead, opt for one of the best drain cleaners you can get. There are plenty of cheap products at your local store that you may have tried but didn’t work. You get what you pay for.
If you are ready to get rid of clogs once and for all, then you need to try one of the top drain cleaners listed below. Keep reading our drain cleaner reviews to figure out which one is best for you.
1. Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover
Drano is one of the most trusted drain cleaner brands. This particular drain cleaner is one of the top-rated products and is safe for both pipes and septic systems.
Is your clog preventing water from draining at all? Drano Max Gel will sink right through the water to get to the clog fast.
It works to dissolve all the gunk, such as hair, soap, grease, and anything else that might be stuck in your drain. Drano Max Gel starts working within a few minutes. It can remove a full clog in as little as 15 to 30 minutes.
You can leave it sit overnight to ensure everything gets dissolved. You can also use it a second time if the clog isn’t fully removed the first time.
2. Liquid Plumr Clog Destroyer and Hair Clog Eliminator
Dealing with a lot of hair in your shower or bathroom sink drain? You’ll need a drain cleaner specifically formulated to destroy that hair.
Liquid Plumr Clog Destroyer and Hair Clog Eliminator is a thick and powerful gel. It can start fighting hair in about 15 minutes and is safe to use in all plumbing systems.
Make sure to let any standing water drain out before applying this product. You can leave it sitting overnight before rinsing with hot water the following day.
The only downside is that you’ll need to use the entire bottle at once. So, if you have a persistent clog, you may need to purchase a second bottle.
3. Bio-Clean (The Best Drain Cleaners for the Eco-Conscious)
While most other drain cleaners are made of chemicals, Bio-Clean is not. Rather, it’s an enzymatic cleaner. This means it uses a combination of all-natural bacteria and enzymes to actually digest organic waste.
Bio-Clean will digest gunk such as hair, soap, grease, paper, and food. This makes it well-suited to dealing with clogged garbage disposals since it excels at destroying food blockage. And since it’s natural, you can even use this product in toilets.
Since the bacteria and enzymes are working to digest the waste, it takes quite a bit longer to handle clogs. Therefore, it’s best to use this as an overnight product.
Bio-Clean isn’t meant to remove completely blocked drains. It’s suited towards partial clogs. But it’s most effective as a preventative maintenance product.
If you use this product on your drains once a month before any serious build-up occurs, you may never have to deal with clogged drains again.
4. Green Gobbler Drain Opening Pacs
The single-use drain cleaning packs from Green Gobbler are another consumer favorite. Each packet has a premeasured amount of drain cleaning powder.
All you need to do is mix it with the appropriate amount of water and let it sit in the drain for at least 15 minutes, if not overnight. This is one of the easiest products to use, and one of the most effective at dealing with those nasty, smelly clogs.
5. XionLab Safer Drain Opener
Safer Drain Cleaner from XionLab utilizes a mixture of acidic cleaners with enzymatic cleaners that are perfect for fighting tough hair or grease clogs. This makes it perfect for showers or sinks.
But due to its makeup, it’s not very effective at dissolving food particles, so it’s not ideal for use in the garbage disposal. On the positive side, this cleaner sinks through standing water in order to get to work.
You can expect this cleaner to tackle mild clogs in a couple of hours. More serious clogs will need an overnight dose.
How to Use Drain Cleaner
Each drain cleaner comes with its own set of instructions. Be sure to follow these in order to maximize effectiveness and safety.
It also helps to open windows or turn a fan on in order to ventilate the room. Drain cleaners often have strong smells.
When pouring drain cleaner, be sure to wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Although these products are usually thick and gelatinous, there’s always a chance they could splash. And make sure not to spill, as the drain cleanre could leave a mark on materials such as stone, metal, or fabric.
It’s also important not to mix drain cleaners together, or with other cleaning products. This could potentially cause toxic fumes. If another drain cleaner was recently used, wait at least a few days before trying a new product.
Drain Cleaner vs Plumber Snake
When drain cleaners don’t work, many turn to the plumber snake, also known as an auger. These are handy and effective tools for removing clogs if you know how to use one.
The issue is that most homeowners do not know how to properly use a snake, and claim they don’t work. It’s also a bit too much work for most people, as they’d prefer not to get down and dirty with their clogged drains.
When to Call a Plumber
Do you have young kids? There’s always a chance that they can drop objects into toilets, sinks, and drains without you knowing.
Even if you don’t, if a clog persists after trying drain cleaner multiple times, it’s best to call a plumber to clean your drain. Trying too hard, for too long, could eventually cause damage.
Or if you have a toilet clog that you cannot remove with a plunger, it’s best to call a plumber. You never want to use chemical-based drain cleaners in a toilet. And you also want to avoid using a metal snake which can damage your toilet.
Rather than spending too much time and energy fighting your drain and continuing to deal with standing water, it’s best to schedule professional service to solve the issue quickly and completely.
We aren’t afraid to deal with clogs and will ensure everything is removed and your drain is fully operational.
Use the Best Drain Cleaners of 2021
There are many amazing products available to help homeowners solve clogged drains. The best drain cleaners can take care of most clogs quickly and easily.
But there is always that one clog that never seems to go away, no matter how hard you try. When you run into that clog, be sure to call a qualified plumber to take care of it once and for all.
Live in Omaha? Give Eyman a call at (402) 731-2727 any time with questions, concerns, or to schedule service right away.