Best Drain Cleaners To Remove Tough Clogs and Keep Your Pipes Clean
It is pretty common to think that bathroom and kitchen drains are clean as only soap and water go into them, but that’s not the case. There are tons of things that enter these pipelines, like food particles, hair, paper, etc., that further clogs the drain. A clogged up drain releases odor and creates an unhygienic atmosphere. Besides, it can also lead to fungus and bacteria infestation. To remove these clogs, you should use the best drain cleaners in 2022 that can effectively break down the particles and dissolve them in no time.
Drain cleaners are of various types and explicitly designed to keep your pipeline structure clean and hygienic. However, there are tons of such solutions available on the market that can make it tough while purchasing one. That’s why we have filtered and reviewed the top clog removers that would help you make a wise decision. These cleaners are suitable to use on a variety of surfaces and will not destroy your pipes at all.
Compare Our Favorite Drain Cleaners in 2022
Green Gobbler Drain Cleaner
– Top Pick
Bathroom and kitchen drain clogs are the most difficult ones to clean as they contain solid wastes such as food bits, soap, hair, paper, and more. Such wastes do not dissolve easily and further create a giant clog which leads to pipeline issues. This drain cleaner is specifically designed to dissolve such wastes and prevent drain clogging. The pack has a thick eco-friendly formula containing powerful ingredients that won’t damage your pipelines. You can use this cleaner for kitchen sinks, toilets, and bathroom drains as well.
- Free from Sodium Hydroxide and has an eco-friendly formula
- You can use it in various sinks, like, bathrooms, kitchen, and more
- This cleaner does not have any foul smell
- Does not release any toxic fumes and keeps your pipes safe
- Difficult to find as it sells out as soon as it is in stock
Drano Drain Cleaner
– Runner Up
This gel clog remover is specifically designed for bathroom usage. It contains a unique thick formula that increases the dissolving process of tough clogs. Besides, this gel cleaner can easily pass through standing water and remove the clog in no time. You can use it for shower drains, bathroom sinks, and cleaning toilets as well. The best thing about the product is that it is safe to use on various types of pipes, including PVC, and does not burn or destroy them. On top of that, this cleaner is perfectly compatible to use on toilets that are connected to septic systems.
- Has an enhanced formula that easily dissolves tough clogs within ten minutes
- Does not harm the pipeline construction of your house
- The thick formula can dissolve hair and grease clogs easily
- Can pass through standing water and reach the clog without any difficulty
- Only suitable for bathroom usage
- Contains Sodium Hydroxide, which can create toxic fumes
SANI 360° Drain Cleaner
– Honorable Mention
Drain cleaners can be messy to use as they are mostly liquid, powder, or gel-based. But, this clog remover has an innovative design that makes it easier to clean drains without getting your hands dirty. It comes in a stick form, which you can directly put in the sink and let the enzymes break down the clogs. Each stick contains tons of highly-concentrated enzymes that slowly dissolve organic matter, like soap, hair, and more. They also work on eliminating the odor that comes from the clogs by releasing a fruity smell. As they are entirely safe to use and non-toxic, you can use them in any type of sink.
- Contains cleaning sticks made with powerful enzymes
- You can use them in all types of pipes as the sticks can easily enter them
- Slowly break down the clogs and release a fruity smell in the pipelines
- One stick can last for 30 days and remove any build-up clogs
- The cleaner sticks take time to dissolve the clogs
Bio-Clean Drain Cleaner
– Also Consider
This drain cleaner contains natural microbes and enzymes that work perfectly in dissolving any dead organic matter in your bathroom, kitchen, swimming pools, or any other sinks. It is compatible with septic tanks and won’t destroy your pipes at all. Besides, it is entirely eco-friendly and won’t release any toxic fumes that other chemical cleaners do.
Due to its strong composition, this cleaner can easily break down hair, soap scum, food particles, and other particles that usually build up and clog the drain lines. You can use it once a week, and your pipelines will always remain clean. However, this is a powder-based cleaner due to which it can create a lot of mess while cleaning the drains.
- Made with natural enzymes and microbes that work on dissolving dead organic matter
- Does not generate any toxic fumes or create reactions
- Suitable for all pipelines and will not destroy your drain lines at all
- Takes days to break down tough clogs
- The remover does not contain any fragrance
Buying Guide for the Best Drain Cleaners
There are various types of drain cleaners available on the market, stating that they can effectively clean your clogged up drain in no time. But, before you fall into such advertisement traps, it is essential to conduct research about these solutions. You need to look for their ingredient list, type of usage, effectiveness, and other factors before making a decision. That’s why we have jotted down the essential characteristics of these clog removers that would further help you to buy a suitable product for keeping your sinks clean.
What Are the Types of Drain Cleaners?
Caustic drain cleaners
These drain cleaners contain lye and caustic potash and provide electrons to the clogs to create a chemical reaction that would further dissolve the substances. They are basically alkaline bases and perfect for removing grease, oil, and other harsh substances. Caustic cleaners are generally denser than water, due to which they can easily pass through standing water and target the clogs and turn them into soapy form for better removal.
Acid drain cleaners
As the name states, acid cleaners contain high amounts of Sulfuric and Hydrochloric acid. You cannot find these cleaners in stores as they are highly dangerous and sold only to professional plumbers. Besides, acid cleaners can quickly eat away your PVC pipes due to chemical reactions. That’s why they are suggested to be used only for removing extremely greasy clogs as they can easily turn the clogs into mushy substances by melting them.
Oxidizing drain cleaners
These drain cleaners are made with bleach, peroxides, and nitrates and used for breaking down dead organic matters in the sinks. They force the organic clogs to lose electrons which further breaks them into tiny pieces due to which they can easily dissolve. Besides, these cleaners have a higher density as compared to water and are perfect to use in kitchen sinks.
What Factors Should You Look For in Clog Removers?
Chemical composition
It is important to look for the type of chemicals used in the drain cleaner to ensure that it is safe to use. Most cleaners contain toxic acids and chemicals that release harmful gases and fumes that can cause serious health issues if inhaled. Besides, such cleaners can also eat away PVC pipes by creating toxic chemical reactions. That’s why it is essential to look for cleaners that contain natural and non-toxic ingredients that can effectively remove the clogs without making any mess.
Odor
Clogged drains and sinks already smell a lot due to dead organic matter, and if your cleaner also generates a foul smell, then it would become difficult to clean. A clog remover with a light fragrance like mint or lemon can be of great help as it can easily dissolve the organic matter and release a scent that will keep your washroom and kitchen fresh. However, do not go for cleaners with a pungent smell as they can cause headaches and might contain harmful substances.
Ease of use
If your clog remover has tons of cleaning instructions, then it can get really confusing. It is better to purchase a cleaner that is easy to use rather than one that takes hours to understand the methods. Before you go ahead and buy a drain cleaner, make sure to look for its cleaning instructions and see if you can understand them correctly or not. By doing so, you would be able to save time and money on cleaning your drains.
Gradeability
Gradeability refers to the strength of the cleaner. It states how perfectly the solution can remove the clogs without creating any toxic fumes or reactions. A drain cleaner with a biodegradable grade is perfect for use as it contains natural enzymes and microbes that work on dissolving the organic matter without affecting your pipeline structure. Besides, they are safe and remove the clogs effectively.
What Tips Should You Follow While Using Sink Cleaners?
There are certain tips and safety advice that you should follow while using drain cleaners. As these solutions are made with several chemical ingredients, you need to use them carefully.
- Always drop a small amount of drain cleaner in the sinks every week to avoid the waste materials from creating bulk clogs. By doing so, you won’t have to use acid solutions to break the clogs and only need to clean them once or twice a month.
- For kitchen sinks, use a cleaner that contains natural enzymes, bacteria, and microbes that can eat away the organic parts easily. These cleaners are eco-friendly and do not react with PVC or any other type of pipes.
- If you want to clean your bathroom or shower drain, then get a cleaner that contains bleach as it can easily break hair and soap particles that usually form the clogs. Besides, such cleaners are generally heavier than water and can easily reach the clogs by passing through standing water.
- Before cleaning toilet clogs, make sure to check for the pipeline structure of your house. If the toilet is connected to a septic system, then you can use any type of cleaner to remove the clogs. But, if it’s connected with a city sewer system, then you cannot use drain cleaners. In such cases, contact your plumber to clear the toilet pipeline.
- Do not mix different types of clog removing solutions as they can create chemical reactions and release dangerous gases. Only use a particular type of drain cleaner and if you want to use a new cleaner, then wait for at least 14 days before using it.
Drain Cleaner FAQ
A: It is better to go for a liquid-based drain cleaner as it creates less mess. If you buy a powder cleaner, you have to mix it with water or simply spread it in the clog, which can create a mess. Besides, powder cleaners are not safe to use.
A: Yes, it is essential to use separate drain cleaners for different usage. Kitchen sinks mostly contain oils, food particles, and grease, due to which they need non-toxic cleaners. Similarly, bathroom sinks include soap, paper, hair, and other materials that are difficult to dissolve and require chemical-based cleaners.
A: It is highly suggested to put a small amount of cleaner in the sinks every week to avoid the formation of large clogs. Apart from that, you should clean the pipelines once every 30 days.
