

Repeat the process as often as necessary to completely unclog a pipe.ĭrain snakes may take care of smaller clogs without the use of another type of drain cleaner. Lastly, run hot water to drain away anything that remains. After the clog seems to be weakening, pull up the snake along with the clog out of your pipe. Next, use the handle to rotate the tool, breaking up the clog, or grabbing it. To use a drain snake, first feed it into the pipe until it meets resistance. Drain SnakeĪ drain snake is a long tool designed to take out the physical material that’s clogging your drain. Drain-cleaning pods are best for pipe maintenance after a clog has been dislodged to help create a fresh scent and deter the residual buildup that’s responsible for trapping hair in pipes. Most pods are better at deodorizing a drain than unclogging it, and in fact, they may exacerbate a blockage if it’s severe. The cleaning agent is wrapped in a thin shell that dissolves when it comes into contact with water. PodsĪnother type of drain cleaner, pods are similar to laundry or dishwashing detergent pods.

They also can be a good option for tackling clumps of hair in the drain. Powders and granules are best for flushing away the grease and oils that coat pipes that catch hair. When hot or cold water comes into contact with the powder, the chemical agents are activated to dissolve grime and hair buildup. After pouring a scoop of the cleaner down the drain, flush the drain with water to cut through grease and hair. Granular and powder drain cleaners have a dry consistency. Overall, a gel drain cleaner is more efficient than a liquid cleaner at breaking up a tough hair clog, but it can be more expensive. Gel also is better at attaching to the hair that causes clogs, dissolving it more quickly than most liquids. Gel drain cleaners are designed specifically to move through pipes slower than liquids, so the active ingredients have more time to eat away at the grime that’s stuck to pipe walls. Made with a formula similar to a liquid drain cleaner, gel drain cleaners contain an additional thickening agent. Store drain cleaners, including liquid varieties, out of the reach of young children or pets. They’re usually slightly less expensive than gel drain cleaners. Use liquid drain cleaners to break up minor hair blocks when they begin to form. Liquid drain cleaners, a common solution to quickly dissolve a pesky drain blockage, typically combine bleach and lye to create liquid with natural enzymes or corrosive chemicals that dissolve or loosen hair clogs. While all these types of drain cleaners can help solve your plumbing issues, they work differently, depending on the drainage issue and individual preference. Several kinds of drain cleaners, including liquids, gels, powders, and drain snakes, are in today’s marketplace. When shopping for the best drain cleaner for hair, there are multiple options. BEST ODORLESS: THRIFT FBA_T-600 T-600 Granular Drain Cleaner.BEST HAIR CLOG PREVENTER: TubShroom the Revolutionary Tub Drain Protector.BEST SNAKE DRAIN: FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Drain Clog Remover Kit.BEST FAST-ACTING: Professor Amos’ SuperFast 2-Pack Drain Cleaner.BEST NATURAL: Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner.

