Clear Out Showers, Sinks, and Pipes With These Drain Cleaners (2024)

Unclog nearly any pipe in your house with a bottle of Max Gel drain cleaner from Drano. The powerful formula works just as well in showers as it does in kitchen sinks, making is the perfect catchall to keep stowed in a cabinet until something clogs.

What sets it apart from other, similar strength chemical cleaners is its safety on pipes. Most chemical cleaners this powerful are harsh on your pipes and can cause corrosion over time. Drano’s formula comes has an added ingredient that protects both PVC and metal pipes from corrosion.

It’s also very simple to use: Just pour half of the container down the drain, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then wash down with hot water.

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If you're dealing with occasional clogs in more than just your bathroom sink, keep the Green Gobbler on hand. This set comes with four pre-measured applications, so you don't have to worry about lugging a heavy bottle upstairs or overcomplicating the amount to pour in.

Because this is an enzyme cleaner, the solution is also safe to use in a clogged toilet. It’s safe for all pipes and septic systems, and is unscented so there aren’t harsh fumes or leftover aromas after use.

That said, some users report less effective use on extremely tough clogs. So, for the toughest clogs, you may want to use this cleaner in tandem with a powerful snake or as a first option with a chemical cleaner waiting in the wings.

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Regularly cooking in the kitchen means that you most likely use your garbage disposal often to get rid of unused food scraps or maybe the occasional burnt recipe. It’s very easy for the blades to get caked in food, or for blockages to occur in the pipes. These drain-cleaning pods have a foaming formula that works to get rid of lingering odors, as well as help prevent future clogs.

The combination of foaming action and lemon scent means that this drain cleaner does more than just clear out blockages. It actually cleans your pipes and reduces grimes on the blades.

The enzyme formula is gentle on pipes, so you can use these pods up to once a week as part of your regular home cleaning.

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An affordable yet durable drain snake is good to have on hand for more serious drain clogs that require a bit of elbow grease, like in your bathtub, or if you have to unclog very frequently and don’t want to damage your pipes.

The barbed edges efficiently grab hair to dislodge it from your drain. The snakes are flexible and can reach deep into the drain pipe, hitting the deeper drain clogs that liquid cleaners might not be able to penetrate.

The physical nature of the snake also means you get a legitimately feel for the blockage and can maneuver with the snake to dislodge it more easily.

Use this by itself or in tandem with a liquid drain cleaner for any heavy-duty clogs.

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Instead of waiting to face a nasty drain clog once it’s near the point of no return, opt for a preventative maintenance cleaner instead. This drain cleaner from CLR may end up saving you cash in the long run by stopping clogs before they ever happen.

The formula is meant for monthly use, and works on bathroom and kitchen drains alike. It’s unscented and free from harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia.

Simply use it once a month, leave it overnight, and let the cleaner strip away any buildup before it become a plumbing problem. Beware though, this cleaner is not the option to pick up from the store in the event of an emergency.

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The solution of this cleaner is non-acidic, but the formula creates heat to melt and dissolve unwanted clogs like grease and hair. It is safe to use on all septic and pipe systems, and it’s odorless so even when it’s being put to work, you won’t smell any burnt hair or cooking grime.

It’s best used for sinks and bathtubs, so you can tackle the conditioner build-up that has been plaguing your shower drain, though it can also work in kitchen sinks if necessary.

The incredibly powerful formula is also safe on pipes. Using it in your pipes will not cause corrosion or long-term pipe damage over time.

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Pesky clogs and bacteria can be a breeding ground for gross odors, too. These sticks can be used to clean your drains once a month. They slowly dissolve over time and are safe for all septic systems.

Beyond reducing odors, the drain sticks use enzymes to eliminate grease, scum, and even organic material like food waste. This comfortably cleans out your pipes and reduces the likelihood of a clog.

The company recommends using one drain stick a month for regular maintenance and cleaning. The pack comes with 12 sticks in total, so you’ll have fresh and maintained drains all year long.

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Are your clothes starting to have a slight mildew scent even after a wash cycle? Or if you open your washing machine door, are you hit by the scent of musty water? If so, it might be time for a cleaning. (You would think that running water and detergent through your washer would get the job done but trust us, it doesn’t).

These tablets are designed to clean and deodorize your washing machine and helps prevent future odors. They're very easy to use, too - just toss into the empty drum, run a normal cycle with warm water and wipe down any leftover residue once it's complete.

The tablets reduce mold buildup and clear out any lingering odors, so your washing machine is as fresh as your clean laundry.

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Type

Not only do drain cleaners come in different formulas, like gels and liquids, but they also have different ingredients. Chemical cleaners are very effective, breaking down clogs by breaking down clogs until they are small enough to flush through your pipe. Many heavy-duty drain cleaners use harsh chemicals to break through soap, hair, and even bones. That means they’ll wear on your pipes if there isn’t anything actually blocking them up, so make sure to only use a chemical drain cleaner when the situation really warrants it.

Prior to using a chemical drain cleaner, try tackling the clog with a drain snake first. Snakes are great for breaking down and removing minor clogs that may not require liquid drain cleaner yet.

Natural cleaners use enzyme and culture makeups to clean drains, which makes them safer for the environment but slower to unclog. If you have the time to wait, enzyme cleaners wear less on your pipes. That said, they may be less effective than their chemical counterparts.

Use

While a lot of drain cleaners are used for general household use, some target specific drains like a kitchen sink with a garbage disposal. It’s best to select a drain cleaner for the specific intended use, so you know it’s compatible with the plumbing below and likely to work well.

Never use chemical drain cleaners to unclog your toilets, either (it won’t work, and it’ll get stuck in the pipes). If you’re just looking to maintain your drain cleanliness, we recommend enzyme cleaners over chemical drain cleaners meant for grease and hair. If you have a big clog, a natural cleaner may bring more frustration than functionality, so we recommend a heavy-duty solution.

Time

All cleaners have a different time frame for when they work the most efficiently—some are fast-acting, with tangible results in as little as 15 minutes. Others require several hours (during which you shouldn’t flush anything else down the drain) and need to sit for awhile in order to really attack all the grime and grease in your drain. Make sure you read the label and instructions for each drain cleaner as the slight variance in application may change its effectiveness.