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Drain cleaners remove clogs caused by hair, grease, food, and other materials. To help you select the drain cleaner that’s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best drain cleaners on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Drain Cleaners
- Best Multi-Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner
- Best For Hair Clogs: FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner
- Most Versatile Cleaner: Forlivese 5-in-1 Sink Snake Cleaner
- Best Single-Use Cleaner: Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover
- Best For Septic Tanks: Xion Lab Safer, Greener Drain Clog Remover
Compare Top Drain Cleaner
| Product | CLeaner Type | Quantity | Works For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner | Liquid | 80-ounce bottle | Showers, tubs, sinks, metal pipes, septic tanks, garbage disposals, and more |
| FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner | Snake cleaner | 5 plastic drain snakes and a reusable plastic handle | Clogged sinks and bathtubs |
| Forlivese 5-in-1 Sink Snake Cleaner | Snake cleaner | 3 plastic drain snakes and two stainless steel drain snakes | Kitchen sinks, toilets, washbasin, bathtubs, floor drains |
| Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover | Powder | 5 pre-measured packets | Bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, kitchen sinks, floor drains, slop sinks, septic tanks, urinals, and more |
| Xion Lab Safer, Greener Drain Clog Remover | Liquid | 1 quart bottle | Sink, tub, or drain |
| Product | CLeaner Type | Quantity | Works For |
Best Multi-Drain Cleaner
Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner
- $8.57
- $9.59
- 11% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes in a large 80-ounce bottle
✔ Has a thick consistency that cuts through tough clogs
✔ Works in 15 minutes
✘ Some customers said that it wasn’t effective on toilet pipes
✘ Blobs can develop in the gel
Key Features
- Comes in an 80-ounce bottle
- Has a gel consistency
- Works in showers, tubs, sinks, metal pipes, septic tanks, garbage disposals, and more
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that this drain cleaner removed large buildups in multiple drains around their homes. However, some customers said that the company didn’t always honor its money-back guarantee.
Best For Hair Clogs
FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner
- $19.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Unclogs drains instantly
✔ Includes a reusable quick-connect handle
✔ Made of thin and flexible material to fight through curves
✘ Won’t clear all types of clogs
✘ Some customers said that it pushed materials further down the drain
Key Features
- Comes with five plastic drain snakes and a reusable plastic handle
- Measures 18 inches long
- Has a brush-like material on the snake ends
- Bends to maneuver around corners
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews for this cleaner said that it removed large amounts of hair that other cleaners couldn’t handle. Others also liked that it worked quickly. However, dissatisfied reviewers said that it pushed some of the hair further down the drain and that it wasn’t sturdy enough to maneuver through tough clogs.
Most Versatile Cleaner
Forlivese 5-in-1 Sink Snake Cleaner
- $7.93
- $9.99
- 21% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Made with stainless steel and plastic for durability
✔ Has three lengths up to 40 inches to work in shallow and deep drains
✔ The plastic snakes have hooks along their bodies to hold the clog-causing debris
✘ The plastic snakes’ hooks are sharp
✘ Some customers said that it didn’t work on pipes with bends
Key Features
- Comes with three plastic drain snakes and two stainless steel drain snakes
- Measures 20, 24, and 40 inches long
- Has hooks along the plastic drain snakes
- Bends to maneuver around corners
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were happy with this product said that it was easy to use and worked on several types of drains. However, those who left negative reviews said that it didn’t work well with bends and that the advertised lengths of the snakes weren’t accurate.
Best Single-Use Cleaner
Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover
- $19.99
- $21.99
- 9% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a lemon scent
✔ Includes five hair grabber tools
✔ Works in 15–30 minutes
✘ Comes in a small quantity
✘ Sometimes requires a second treatment to fully unclog the drain
Key Features
- Comes in five pre-measured packets
- Has a powder consistency
- Has an environmentally friendly and biodegradable formula
- Comes with five plastic drain snakes
- Has hooks along the plastic drain snakes
- Works in showers, tubs, sinks, toilets, floor drains, RV drains, urinals, and more
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that this drain cleaner worked well for its affordable price, especially considering how effective it was with large blockages. However, other customers said that it left an odor in the air or stains on their appliances.
Best For Septic Tanks
Xion Lab Safer, Greener Drain Clog Remover
- $19.98
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a biodegradable and non-flammable formula
✔ Approved for use on all types of pipes
✔ The manufacturer donates a percentage of its sales to fight drug addiction
✘ Doesn’t work on paper, plastic, or food particles
✘ Comes in a smaller bottle than the Drano option in this review
Key Features
- Comes in a one-quart bottle
- Has a gel consistency
- Has a biodegradable and non-flammable formula
- Works in showers, tubs, sinks, septic tanks, and more
What Customers Are Saying
Among the positive reviews, customers pointed out this cleaner’s ease of use, affordability, and effectiveness. Negative reviews said that it was very slow to work and that it wasn’t as effective in tub drains.
Buyer’s Guide
Different drain cleaners have different functions. Before making a purchase, consider these factors to determine which one is right for your needs.
Cleaner Type
Cleaners can either be a substance or a stick that you put in your drain.
Liquid/Powder
There are three types of formulas used to make liquid or powder drain cleaners.
- Acidic: Acidic cleaners are effective at unclogging blockages caused by toilet paper, hair, grease, food, or similar items. However, they don’t work well in older plastic, steel, or aluminum pipes.
- Caustic: Caustic drain cleaners are good for removing food, grease, and soap scum from sinks or showers, but they’re not effective in toilets. They’re not recommended for use in pipes older than 20 years either.
- Enzymatic: Enzymatic cleaners work best when they’re used monthly to prevent clogs from ever forming. Since they typically have non-toxic ingredients, safety equipment isn’t required when you’re using them.
Snake
Drain snakes are long sticks made of plastic or metal that feed into your drain. They usually have hooks or brushes along their bodies to capture the hair or other debris that’s causing the clog.
Blockage Location
Different areas of the home typically require different types of drain cleaners. Some may be better for sinks and tubs, while others work better for toilets. Be sure the drain cleaner you choose can handle the clog you’re trying to tackle.
Clog Type
Food, hair, paper, grease, plastic, soap scum, and even household items, such as pet toys, are some of the materials and items that can get stuck in your drains. Ensure that the drain cleaner you’re purchasing is appropriate for what’s causing your blockage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of a clogged drain?
Some common signs include:
- Slow water drainage
- No water drainage
- Gurgling sounds
- Bad odors
Are there any DIY options to unclog a drain?
Although drain cleaners are relatively affordable and accessible, if you’re in a pinch and need to unclog your drain, there are some DIY methods you could try. Pouring boiling water down the drain is a popular option, but it’s largely ineffective and could be bad for your pipes. Some people also use baking soda and vinegar, but these materials will only work on small clogs.
What safety measures should I take when I’m using a drain cleaner?
If you’re using an enzymatic drain cleaner or drain snake, you don’t need to take any safety precautions. With the other two types of cleaners, wear gloves and safety goggles to keep them from coming into contact with your body.
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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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