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The Best Drain Clog Remover

Last updated on August 2, 2024
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We looked at the top 10 Drain Clog Removers and dug through the reviews from 28 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Drain Clog Removers.

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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Our Picks For The Top Drain Clog Removers

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Drano Max Pro Strength Gel Drain Clog Remover

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Drano Max

Pro Strength Gel Drain Clog Remover

Even in standing water, you can use this remover to cut through a variety of clogs. That includes hair, grease and other solid materials. Start small and leave overnight on especially stubborn drain problems, though you may want to steer clear of the smell for extended use.

Overall Take

Clears Tough ClogsThis cleaner acts fast, even against solid waste.

Pros
" Our cleaning expert noted that this is the easiest and fastest working over-the-counter product."
Cons
"Stubborn clogs may need a second application"
 Runner Up

FlexiSnake Flexible Sink Drain Clog Remover Weasel, 5 Pack

FlexiSnake

Flexible Sink Drain Clog Remover Weasel, 5 Pack

When liquid cleaners won't do, this "drain weasel" is a great choice. The flexible shaft can navigate even twisty pipes with ease. Along the way, tiny hooks on the end of the tool pull out stray clumps of hair or other unwanted material.

Overall Take

Snags Solid WasteThe fuzzy tip does a great job at clearing hair.

Pros
" With 360-degree rotation and an 18-inch length, this drain cleaner reaches down deep to get clogs caused by hair without damaging your drain. Made of thin and flexible material, this drain cleaner fights through curves to get hair from even..."
Cons
"This type of cleaner can require some elbow grease and concentration."
 We Also Like

HELIX LABORATORIES, INC. BioFresh Enzyme Cleaner Drain Clog Remover

HELIX LABORATORIES, INC

. BioFresh Enzyme Cleaner Drain Clog Remover

The natural ingredients in this solution are proof that drain cleaning doesn't need to be "scorched earth." The enzymes break down dirt and filth the natural way, leaving the metal or PVC in your pipes unharmed. The absence of chemical odor is a big fringe benefit.

Overall Take

Safe On PipesClean your drains the natural way.

Pros
" Environmentally safe. Safe for septic tanks. Double-strength concentrated formula. Pleasant smell"
Cons
"there are other drain cleaners that work better."
 Also Great

Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Remover Liquid Drain Cleaner

Liquid-Plumr

Hair Clog Remover Liquid Drain Cleaner

If you've got hair buildup or other solid matter, this cleaner is a true specialist. Its oxidizing action breaks down hairs and other organic material quickly and effectively. It's not safe for garbage disposals or toilets but can be used on most other types of drain.

Overall Take

Dissolves Stubborn ClogsTackle hair buildup with this remover.

Pros
" This one is an oxidizing cleaner, so it's very tough on organic matter, like hair and food"
Cons
"Cannot be used in toilets or garbage disposals"

Buying Guide

If you’ve got a drain, sooner or later it’s going to clog. We don’t want to go into the gory details but there’s more going into your pipes than just water, whether we’re talking about a sink, toilet or shower drain. And when those solids back up or build up, your first resort is a good drain clog remover.

There are a lot of different ways to remove a drain clog, and the most popular come in a bottle. These liquid or gel solutions eat away at whatever is blocking your pipes, but not every cleaner is the best match for every clog — or every kind of pipe.

Acidic cleaners are often advertised as the most “heavy-duty” option, and they can work very quickly on solid clogs such as food or hair. You’ll definitely want to exercise a little more care when using these cleaners and be careful not to let them sit too long on the bottom of your sink since some brands may discolor the finish. Don’t exceed the recommended amount, and definitely don’t get them on your skin. Even the fumes from acidic cleaners can be harmful in an enclosed area. While these substances shouldn’t hurt your pipes with occasional use, they can eat away at older metal plumbing or thin plastic tubing.

Alkaline cleaners are more common, and while they may take a little longer to clear away your clog, they’re a lot safer to use. These products depend on a chemical reaction to break down organic matter, so they work best on kitchen sinks that suffer from a buildup of grease. You may need to wait a little while for them to work their magic, so follow the directions and don’t get impatient. They’re generally OK to leave in standing water overnight.

If you’re concerned about chemical odors or caustic ingredients, many enzymatic cleaners can be just as effective. These are the most eco-friendly option, relying on bio-active chemicals to break down clogs in a more natural way. Again, they may take longer but you won’t have to worry about any lingering chemical odors.

If none of these bottled cleaners can completely clear the clog, you may have to get a little more labor-intensive. Drain snake is a blanket term for any long wire or plastic mechanism designed to be fed into a drainpipe, grabbing hair or other waste and dragging it back out. It’s not the most pleasant cleaning method, but there’s really no substitute if solid matter is the main thing blocking your pipes. Just make sure you use them as directed, and make sure that you get a snake that’s made for your specific type of drain. Snakes that are too thick may end up pushing the blockage further down the pipe and compounding the problem.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
17

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the drain clog removers available to purchase.
10

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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28

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Prudent Reviews, Old House Online, Popular Mechanics, Love to Know.

329,712

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 10 Drain Clog Removers and also dug through the reviews from 28 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Drain Clog Removers.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Remover Liquid Drain Cleaner

Key Takeawy

If you've got hair buildup or other solid matter, this cleaner is a true specialist. Its oxidizing action breaks down hairs and other organic material quickly and effectively. It's not safe for garbage disposals or toilets but can be used on most other types of drain.

What other experts liked

This one is an oxidizing cleaner, so it's very tough on organic matter, like hair and food
- Good Housekeeping
It contains 70% more active ingredients than an ordinary drain clog remover, allowing it to clean fully blocked drains in a single use. And, since it was formulated for removing hair clogs, this product easily dissolves them.
- Old House Online
Plus, experts love how effective this drain cleaner is in a single use, especially compared to others that can take several tries (or more than one bottle) to unclog a drain.
- Real Simple

What other experts didn't like

Must use the whole bottle with each application
- Good Housekeeping
Cannot be used in toilets or garbage disposals
- Old House Online
Due to the small size of the bottle, severe clogs or multiple clogged drains will likely require purchasing more than one bottle.
- Real Simple

What to Look For

If your drain is a little slow but not yet showing signs of serious blockage, you might be able to resolve things with a little household remedy. For some preventative medicine, you can simply pour dish soap down your bathroom or kitchen sink, chased by a good amount of boiling water. That may help clear away any grease that’s built up along the sides of the pipe. To help with hair or minor food buildup, try pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow that down with a cup of white vinegar, and the fizzing reaction should dissolve some of the grime.

More to Explore

The Industrial Revolution saw the birth of many conveniences that we take for granted today, and indoor plumbing was one of the most welcome. While “water closets” were in use in the early 1800s, they were mostly a luxury for the very rich. The Tremont Hotel in Boston became the first hotel to have indoor plumbing when it installed eight water closets in 1829. It beat the White House to the punch, since that famous residence didn’t have running water until 1833.

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