The Best Drain Cleaners

Clogged and smelly drains in sinks and showers aren’t fun, and manually trying to pull hair from them is even less fun. Drain cleaners are an effective way to get your home clean without having to get your hands dirty. Find the right fit for your home and get rid of those nasty clogs.

Buying Guide for Drain Cleaners

Why buy drain cleaner?

Almost everyone will deal with a clogged or smelly drain from time to time. Drain cleaner is a simple solution to this common problem. Even if it’s just a minor clog, you’ll want to take care of it before it becomes a bigger issue. With so many affordable and effective drain cleaners out there, your home’s drains can stay nice and clean.

What should you consider in drain cleaner?

• Toxicity: Make sure you aren’t harming your pipes or septic system with too harsh of a drain cleaner. If you’re concerned about damage, go with a natural option or a cleaner that doesn’t contain bleach. This is also a great choice if you have kids or pets.
• Strength: Drain cleaners come in a variety of strengths. The heavy-duty ones will clean pretty much everything, but they can be more harmful to pipes and smell worse. On the other hand, gentler options may not get rid of all the dirt in your pipes. Finding the right option is all about the severity of your clog and the strength of your pipes.
• Fragrance: Some drain cleaners get in there and blast away at the grime. Others are simply meant to freshen up the drain and pipes to improve the smell. If you want a product that leaves behind a nice smell as it cleans, look for one with a fresh fragrance.

What should you expect to pay for a drain cleaner?

Drain cleaners are affordable products that won’t break the bank. They’re meant to be used multiple times and purchased repeatedly. You shouldn’t expect to pay more than $30 for a quality product, and you can find powerful cleaners for under $10.

Our Picks for the Best Drain Cleaners

Pros: The Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener is a super-powered drain buster that dissolves organic material and paper, so it will even work in toilets. It features a high-density formula that liquefies nasty drain blockages to improve water flow. It’s both non-damaging to pipes and environmentally friendly. So, while it’s tough on whatever’s blocking your drain, that’s about all it hurts.

Cons: This drain cleaner might take a while to work, especially on tough clogs.

Bottom Line: This drain cleaner can tackle most clogs. You may have to let it sit for a while, but it should be able to tackle whatever’s causing an issue for your drain.

 

Pros: The Green Gobbler Liquid Hair & Grease Clog Remover gives you two bottles at a great price. It’s designed to dissolve hair, soap, paper, and grease, so you don’t have to get your hands dirty plunging or digging out those nasty substances. It works by lowering the pH levels in your drains quickly to remove what’s backing them up. Plus, it’s safe to use in multiple areas of your home.

Cons: If you have a particularly tough blockage, this might not get the job done.

Bottom Line: Unless you have a really extreme clog, this drain cleaner should help remove it. Plus, at its low price point, it’s worth keeping around.

 

Pros: The Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover is made specifically to remove hair clogs, but it can do plenty more. It has a thick gel that should quickly dissolve most bunches of hair, powering through water that’s in the way to get straight to the clog. It’s also safe on most pipes and septic systems. Plus, it’s meant to work quickly!

Cons: Although it claims to be safe for septic systems, the main ingredient is bleach, which could be a problem depending on the type of system you have. There have also been complaints about the smell it produces, which isn’t exactly pleasant. And while it should work, you may end up using an entire bottle in one attempt.

Bottom Line: This drain cleaner clears out clogs from hair that slow down your drain. While the smell might not be great and you might have to use a lot of the product, it’s pretty effective. Just follow the directions closely—you’ll need to use hot water to get it to work.

 

Pros: The Earthworm Drain Cleaner is a natural option that uses enzymes to unclog drains, so it won’t damage plumbing. It’s safe to use with septic systems and on all your drains, including sinks with garbage disposals. It even features a nice citrus and sage fragrance that leaves your drain smelling fresh. You don’t have to worry about kids or pets getting into it since it’s free of harsh chemicals.

Cons: The downside to a natural product is that it doesn’t pack the punch some other drain cleaners do. While it is effective for some clogs, super-tough clogs might need the entire bottle or something stronger.

Bottom Line: This drain cleaner smells nice, won’t hurt your pipes or septic system, and contains natural ingredients. It’s definitely worth giving it a shot!

 

Pros: The Supreme Clean Probiotic Sink & Disposal Cleaner harnesses the power of probiotics to clean and freshen up your drains. It’s made to reach deep into your pipes to clear out blockages and leave behind a fresh smell. A nice feature of this drain cleaner is that it continues to clean up to 30 days after you’ve used it. Plus, it’s nontoxic and safe for septic systems. All in all, it’s designed to do the job safely and effectively.

Cons: This product seems to do a better job at improving the smell of a drain than unclogging it.

Bottom Line: This product is a great combination of fresh smells and cleaning power. If you want a safe drain cleaner to make your drains smell better, this is a good option.

Final Thoughts

Drain cleaners are affordable and easy to use, and most people can use a drain-cleaning boost from time to time. Make your home smell fresh and keep the water flowing with one of these drain cleaners.