When you have a drain clog, it can be a frustrating experience. Dealing with a sink or tub that won’t drain water as expected makes everyday tasks more daunting and uncomfortable.
The moment you notice the problem starting to develop, you need to do something about it before you develop foul odors and a complete drain clog that makes the fixture unusable.
Drain cleaners provide an easy and cost-effective way for homeowners to handle a stubborn clog effectively. However, it can take a long time to learn about the different options and find the right one for you.
Additionally, what if you prefer a natural or non-toxic drain cleaner? Let’s go over your options so you can choose based on your household preference.
In this PlumbingNav review, we will cover:
What are the best drain cleaners?
What are the different types of drain cleaners?
What should you look for in natural or non-toxic drain cleaners?
This non-GMO food grade drain cleaner uses the main ingredient of caustic soda and has fewer impurities than technical grade drain cleaners, making it non-toxic and safe to use around food. However, it is still a chemical and needs to be handled with caution.
It also has a wide range of possible uses, including cleaning metal and treating textiles, increasing its value to the consumer.
The Best Drain Cleaners
What's In This Guide?
What Are The Best Drain Cleaners?
The best cleaners for slow drains work well and fit into your budget while also being easy to use and consistent with your personal lifestyle choices.
The best drain cleaner also specifically tackles your exact concern behind the clog. Different products may work better for cooking oil and grease than hair, so choose wisely. You may want to use one particular product for the kitchen sink and garbage disposal compared to the bathroom sink or shower drain.
Try a drain snake or plunger if you don’t want to use a drain cleaner or it doesn’t seem to work.
What Are The Different Types Of Clogged Drain Cleaners?
Chemical Drain Cleaner
A chemical drain cleaner uses a chemical to help break down whatever you find in your drain.
Some of the most common chemicals found in drain cleaners include:
Hydrochloric acid (HCI)
Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)
Caustic soda (NaOH)
Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)
Nitrate (NO₃)
Bleach (NaCIO)
These chemicals tend to produce great results, and you can find them at almost any hardware store. They are also easy to use, but aren’t without risks.
Unfortunately, these harsh chemicals can damage the plumbing in your home. It can also damage the skin if you don’t use gloves or accidentally spill some on yourself.
Chemicals can also become deadly if accidentally ingested. For these reasons, more and more homeowners want to move to natural options.
*** If someone in your household suffers from accidental drain cleaner poisoning, get them to the emergency room immediately! Time is of the essence in health emergencies, so don’t wait. Get medical assistance right away. ***
Homemade DIY Drain Cleaner
Why spend money on manufactured drain cleaners when you can simply make your homemade cleaners with everyday household items?
The Connecticut state government’s homemade drain cleaner recipe advises homeowners to pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar (and the optional addition of lemon juice). After you pour these items down the drain, follow it up by pouring boiling water down the drain as well.
Natural Drain Cleaner (Non-Toxic Drain Cleaner or Organic Drain Cleaner)
Natural drain cleaners only use natural products found in nature. This is especially appealing to people who want to live an organic and environmentally-friendly lifestyle.
These options may cost a bit more, but they are always safe to use for both the user and the pipes in your home.
In most cases, organic options use enzymes and bacteria to eat through natural items, such as hair and food, clogging the drain. In addition, to drain cleaning, beneficial enzymes from these products may also help maintain and treat your septic tank if you have one.
The first thing to consider is the ingredients in the product you plan to buy to ensure it aligns with your goals.
Some people insist on solely using drain cleaners like the popular Green Gobbler with natural ingredients, and other people want something with strong chemicals like Liquid Fire that will be sure to get the job done.
Positive Reviews
How do you know if a product actually works or not? Start by reading the reviews!
The idea is to look for products with a high number of positive reviews. Every product will have a bad review here and there, but it can help you to read through what other consumers have to say to learn what you should buy.
Environmentally Friendly Practices
As consumers, we have a responsibility to buy from companies that contribute to the preservation of the planet instead of its destruction.
We can’t completely get rid of pollution created during the manufacturing process. However, we can do our best to buy from conscious organizations that do their best to reduce their carbon footprint with eco-friendly drain cleaners.
Best Drain Cleaners Reviewed
Now let’s explore our favorite units so you can decide on the perfect choice for your situation.
This non-GMO food grade drain cleaner uses the main ingredient of caustic soda and has fewer impurities than technical grade drain cleaners, making it non-toxic and safe to use around food. However, it is still a chemical and needs to be handled with caution.
It also has a wide range of possible uses, including cleaning metal and treating textiles, increasing its value to the consumer.
Drano has established itself as a popular name in drain cleaning for a reason. This product works using bleach as its main ingredient and also comes at a surprisingly affordable price. You can even get in in just a couple of hours when you purchase it from Amazon Fresh, but you can find it at most hardware stores and superstores.
While it uses bleach as the main ingredient, Drano uses a recyclable container and uses 30% renewable energy during manufacturing. This is obviously not an organic or all natural option, but it’s very effective on most clogs.
Pros
Moneyback guarantee and cost-effective
Pierces through standing water
PVC-pipe friendly and metal-pipe friendly
Cons
Not suitable for use in toilet or floor drain
Bleach may irritate skin and eyes and is harmful if ingested
Get absolutely everything you need to clean your stubborn clog, including a guarantee from the manufacturer with this entire drain cleaning kit. You get the enzyme-based cleaner, a mixing cup, a decorative magnet, and a drain cleaning tool. It eliminates all types of natural clogs, and it works on all drains.
Pros
Accessories come with the kit (including a magnet)
You only need about 60 seconds to see the effects of this drain cleaner that uses a specialized formula activated by hot water. It not only breaks up clogs but also helps eliminate odor.
It comes in a durable container that keeps the product preserved for an extended period of time.
When you have a truly stubborn drain clog or need to maintain a larger system, such as for a small water feature on your property, you want this enzyme-based drain cleaner that will treat up to 1000 gallons with its 900 billion organisms. This makes this product suitable as a commercial drain cleaner.
The product is entirely non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It’s especially effective in regards to grease, fats, and oils, but it will also work on soap scum and toilet paper.
Pros
Works on any drain
Non-toxic and environmentally friendly
Natural enzymes break down clog better than most chemicals
Cons
Expensive
More complicated than other drain cleaners
Use for prevention more than declogging
Final Thoughts On Best Drain Cleaners
Clean a clogged sink quickly and effectively with our top 5 picks for the best drain cleaners and mix them with plenty of warm water.
You can choose between chemical cleaners that tend to dissolve materials fast, or natural cleaners that contribute to better health, safety, and PVC pipe use. You can also make your own homemade drain opener with ingredients at home.
Baking soda and vinegar is an effective drain cleaner and a great first option to try.
How do you unclog a drain naturally?
To unclog a drain naturally, use a simple recipe of baking soda, white vinegar, and hot water. This will work on basic clogs, but may not be sufficient for tougher clogs like a bathtub drain full of hair.
