Which drain cleaner works best

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here.

We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Clogged drains and backed-up pipes are a nuisance, but they're a common problem that many homeowners face. Luckily, there are a wide variety of drain openers available that will save you from having to call the plumber.

The best drain opener for your needs largely depends on what drain is clogged and what's causing the blockage. Some products are specially formulated to cut through grease, while others are more effective on hair. Here, the best drain openers you can buy today.

When you think of drain cleaners, Drano is probably the first brand that pops into your head. Its thick formula cuts through standing water, allowing it to quickly dissolve any clogs, including those caused by hair and soap scum. If you're not diligent about cleaning the hair from the drain in your shower or bathtub, you will probably end up with clogged pipes at one point or another.

In these cases, you need a heavy-duty drain cleaner that can dissolve the wads of tangled hair, helping your shower drain properly. The Pequa Drain Opener is a highly-rated product for both commercial and residential use, and it gets top marks from users who say it's their go-to drain opener.

This product comes in a ounce bottle, and it can dissolve all organic matter, including hair and grease. This drain opener is fast-acting, but it's environmentally safe and won't harm your pipes.

If your kitchen sink isn't draining properly, you may want to try Invade Bio Drain Gel, which not only fights clogs, but helps to eradicate drain flies in the process.

This product comes in one-quart bottles, and it has a citrus smell you won't mind in the kitchen. The drain opener effectively cuts through scum and other organic matter, sticking to the walls of the drain to clear tough clogs. What's better, this product can also eliminate drain flies, which can be tough to get rid of in the kitchen or bathroom.

According to reviewers, this product works well, clearing up pipes and killing drain flies, all while leaving a pleasant orange scent behind. If you have a septic system, it's best to stay away from harsh chemical drain openers, as they can harm your plumbing. Instead, you'll want to use a septic system-friendly product such as Bio-clean Drain Septic Bacteria.

This powder formula uses a combination of natural bacteria and enzymes to cut through organic waste in your pipes. It is effective on grease, hair, soap scum, food particles, and more.

Because it doesn't affect inorganic materials, it's safe for use on all plumbing systems, including septic tanks. Reviewers say that if you use the product as directed over the course of several days, it will effectively clear up any clogs or backups, allowing your pipes to drain better than ever. With over 9, reviews, this drain cleaner has an average rating of 4. Customers who were happy with this product said that it was easy to use and worked on several types of drains.

Coming in five single-use, ready-to-go packets, this drain cleaner takes the guesswork out of unclogging drains. Effective on sinks, toilets, tubs, floor drains, and more, this cleaner is a quick and easy way to remove items blocking your drain. The packets are also paired with drain snakes to double up on the unclogging power. This drain cleaner holds an average rating of 4. Satisfied customers said that this drain cleaner worked well for its affordable price, especially considering how effective it was with large blockages.

However, other customers said that it left an odor in the air or stains on their appliances. With innovative technology that fights clogs at the root, this drain cleaner is powerful enough to handle tough clogs without damaging the biological enzymes that keep septic tanks operating. It uses a heavy gel formula that sinks through water to reach the obstruction. Over 2, customers have reviewed this cleaner on Amazon, giving it an average rating of 4.

Just clean it using warm water, soap, and an old toothbrush. The Drain Millipede is super easy to use. Just insert, spin, and remove the clog. Ideal for most bathroom drains, you can typically use the tool without having to disassemble the stopper. Please note that the product is designed to remove hair clogs in bathroom sinks and showers.

Users should not expect grease, fat, and food clogs to be cleared by the Drain Millipede. Despite claims by manufacturers that their products are not harmful, there is a certain peace of mind that comes when you make your own products and know exactly what goes into them. With that said, here are a few recipes for homemade drain cleaners. Before using any of these, make sure you unscrew your drain screen and remove any visible blockages.

Baking soda and vinegar are essential for any DIY cleaning product. Tough clogs might require multiple cleansings. You could also do this regularly as a preventative measure. The bent wire hanger is simple and surprisingly effective. Just straighten out a wire hanger to the best of your ability. Then, bend one end to create a small hook. Push the bent end past the drain cover or remove the drain cover altogether , and start fishing. So there you have it: the best drain cleaners on the market and some you can make at home using common household items.

Did you purchase any of these? Which was your favorite? Have you made any of these DIY drainer cleaners? Do you have a drain cleaning recipe of your own that works like a charm? Let us know by commenting below! There are many kinds of obstructions that could cause a blockage in your drain. Food, soap scum, oils, fats, plastics, hair, and paper are all key culprits when trying to identify the cause of a clogged drain. Toothpaste, shaving cream, heavy items i. When shopping around for the best drain cleaner, first determine what is causing the blockage.

The best drain cleaner for hair might not be the best drain cleaner for grease, for example. Got a clogged drain in the shower or tub? Hair is probably to blame. Is the kitchen sink draining a little too slow? All those pieces of food you shoved down the drain after doing dishes are back to haunt you.

Before purchasing or using any liquid drain cleaner, be sure to read and follow the directions on the label. Some drain openers are better suited for dissolving grease whereas others work to clear paper build-up. Certain drain openers are safe to use in garbage disposals and others are not. 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. So, if you have a persistent clog, you may need to purchase a second bottle. While most other drain cleaners are made of chemicals, Bio-Clean is not.

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. Since the bacteria and enzymes are working to digest the waste, it takes quite a bit longer to handle clogs. 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.

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.