The 8 Best Drain Cleaners for Clog-Free Tubs, Showers, and Sinks
Save yourself a visit from the plumber and handle your drain dilemmas with these fast-acting and efficient cleaners.
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A clogged drain is incredibly frustrating (and a little gross) to deal with — and may damage your pipes and septic systems over time. That’s because clogs create an environment where bacteria and foul-smelling odors thrive, leaving that grimy line of soap scum on your tub when the water backs up. If you’ve tried tackling the clog with a drain snake unsuccessfully, a drain cleaner is your next-best option.
Liquid drain cleaners work using chemicals or enzymes to break down clogs and strip away scum buildup from the inside of pipes. Chemical drain cleaners are the most effective but can be tough on pipes, particularly if you live in an older home. Enzyme-based formulas are gentler—and typically safe to use in septic systems—but you may need to use them in tandem with other methods or products. There are also preventative drain cleaners that are gentle enough to use regularly to maintain clear pipes.
This buying guide includes reviews of our best drain cleaner recommendations, followed by everything you need to consider before making a purchase, including types of drain cleaners and best practices for use.
The Best Drain Cleaners
- Best Overall: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover
- Best Enzyme: Green Gobbler Liquid Drain Clog Remover & Cleaner
- Best for the Kitchen: Rejuvenate Disposer and Pipe Cleaner
- Best Drain Snake: Onehere Drain Clog Remover
- Best Preventative: CLR Clear Pipes and Drains
How We Selected
We’ve curated this list of drain cleaners after considering several factors like formula, common clog types, and applications. We selected several options that work well for most common household clogs like ones and can be used in a variety of drains, such as kitchen sinks with garbage disposals and shower drains. We also paid close attention to direct customer reviews, ensuring that the cleaners we chose are effective in every day practice. All the selections cover a range of price points, time frames, and ingredients to best fit your drain cleaning needs while also helping to prevent clogs in the future.
Pros
- Works very quickly
- Can be used on metal and plastic pipes
Cons
- Comes with a harsh chemical smell
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.
Key Specs
| Size | 80 fluid oz |
|---|---|
| Formula | Liquid gel |
| Solution | Thickened bleach |
Pros
- Comes pre-measured for convenience
- Works for multiple household drains
Cons
- Not as powerful as a chemical cleaner
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 safe for all pipes and septic systems. It’s also 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 drain snake or keep a chemical cleaner waiting in the wings.
Key Specs
| Size | 31 oz (2 pack) |
|---|---|
| Formula | Liquid |
| Solution | Enzyme base |
Pros
- Deodorizes and helps prevent clogs simultaneously
- Compact and convenient
Cons
- Works better for cleaning than removing clogs
If your sink doesn’t have an effective drain stopper and food scraps end up clogging pipes, this option is worth a look. Even if you rely on a garbage disposal, it’s very easy for the blades to get caked up over time. These drain-cleaning pods have a foaming formula that gets rid of lingering odors and helps prevent future clogs.
The combination of the foaming agent and lemon in the formula does more than just clear out blockages, too. It actually cleans your pipes and reduces grimes on the blades.
The enzyme formula is also gentle, so you can use the pods up to once a week as part of your regular home cleaning.
Key Specs
| Size | 6-pack |
|---|---|
| Formula | Foaming pods |
| Solution | Enzyme base |
Pros
- Barbed edges grab hair and other thick clogs
- Maneuvers and bends with your pipes
Cons
- Not durable for long-term use
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 snakes are flexible with barbed edges to efficiently grab hair and other gunk to dislodge it from your drain. They reach deep into the pipe to reach clogs that liquid cleaners might not be able to penetrate. Plus, you get a feel for the size of the blockage using one of these once you start maneuvering it around.
Use this by itself or in tandem with a liquid drain cleaner for any heavy-duty clogs.
Key Specs
| Size | 7 pack |
|---|---|
| Formula | N/A |
| Solution | N/A |
Pros
- Helps prevent future clogs
- Unscented and free from harsher chemicals
Cons
- Won't be fast-acting on existing clogs
Instead of facing a nasty drain clog once it’s too late and time to call a plumber, opt for a preventative cleaner instead. This drain cleaner from CLR may end up saving you cash in the long run by stopping clogs before they happen.
The formula is meant for monthly use and works on bathroom and kitchen drains alike. It’s unscented and doesn’t have harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia. Just pour it in, leave it overnight, and let it do its job. It isn’t fast-acting and isn’t made to be, so it’s not the option for a major clog.
Key Specs
| Size | 80 oz |
|---|---|
| Formula | Liquid |
| Solution | Enzyme base |
Pros
- Dissolves hair and grease on contact
- Safe for all septic and pipe systems
Cons
- Takes time to clean and break down the clog
The solution of this cleaner is non-acidic, but the formula creates heat to melt and dissolve unwanted clogs like grease and hair. It’s safe to use on all septic and pipe systems, plus 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 and won’t cause corrosion or long-term pipe damage over time.
Key Specs
| Size | 2 liters |
|---|---|
| Formula | Liquid |
| Solution | Non-acidic base |
Pros
- Twelve-month supply
- Breaks down bacteria that causes odor
Cons
- Not meant for major drain clogs
Pesky clogs and bacteria can be a breeding ground for gross odors, too. These sticks are designed to use monthly to clean your drains. 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. They safely cleans out pipes and reduce the likelihood of a clog.
The package includes 12 sticks in total, so you’ll have fresh and maintained drains all year long.
Key Specs
| Size | 12 sticks |
|---|---|
| Formula | Dissolving stick |
| Solution | Enzymes |
Pros
- Designed specifically for washing machines
- Eliminates mildew odor
Cons
- Needs to be used twice a month for optimal results
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 foaming 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. They’re also compatible with machines from most major brands.
Key Specs
| Size | 24-pack |
|---|---|
| Formula | Tablets |
| Solution | N/A |
What to Consider Before Buying Drain Cleaners
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, yet many of these heavy-duty drain cleaners include harsh chemicals to break through clogs. That means wear on your pipes, so make sure to only use a chemical drain cleaner when the situation really warrants it.
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.
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
Amber is the Digital Content Producer for Popular Mechanics, Runner's World and Bicycling, where she covers a range of tasks for the commerce team. She also writes fashion and beauty content for Best Products. Her work has been featured across all of the Enthusiast Group sites. In her free time you can likely find her watching horror movies, reading a good thriller book, or listening to a comedy podcast.
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