Image: MomJunction Design Team
Cleaning a clogged kitchen sink, drains, and showers can be a daunting task, and it can be a not-so-pleasant sight too. But, thanks to the best drain cleaner options, it won’t be a hassle. It can help you clean up the annoying mess in your drains without the guidance of experts and save you loads of money if you plan to do it with the help of a manual plumber. So to help you choose one, we have compiled a list of tried-and-tested options that you can consider before buying one.
Top Picks
Types of Drain Cleaners
Below are some liquid drain cleaner options based on the type of clog and the clogged drainpipe.
- Acidic drain cleaners: These are standard drain clog removers made of hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. They help you clear the clogs of hair, paper scum, grease, food, etc., in 15 minutes. Do not use these acidic solutions on old plastic or metal drain pipes, as the strong acid can corrode and damage the drains.
- Enzymatic drain cleaners: Made of gentler formulations, they are suitable for regular use to keep your kitchen and toilet drains clear. They are free of toxins that cause irritation to the skin or eye and are a way better option than homemade drain cleaners.
- Caustic drain cleaners: These clog-removing cleaning products are alkaline-based and work by converting the scum into a soap-like, soluble substance. Sodium hydroxide is one of the prominent alkaline substances used in caustic drain cleaning solutions. They help remove soft to intense clogs such as food, soap scum, and grease, usually within 30 minutes. They are used in the kitchen, tub, or shower drains.
15 Best Drain Cleaners For Tackling Clogged Sinks In 2024
1. Best High-Density Liquid Formulation:Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener, Cleaner and Hair Clog Remover
Image: Green Gobbler 
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It's no wonder that this quality product has earned over 27,273 positive reviews on Amazon.
The powerful Green Gobbler Drain Opener with high-density liquid formulation can clear your home’s main drainage line by liquifying obstructions. It is an odorless and industrial-strength formula that dissolves paper, baby wipes, hair, and grease, along with soft organic material.
While remaining gentle on drainpipes, it is also environment-friendly and safe to use against chemical cleaners, making it one of the best drain cleaner options for your home. If you want to find out more about this cleaning product and its usage, make sure to check out this review video on YouTube.
2. Best For Clogged Shower: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover And Cleaner
Image: Drano Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 14,788 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
Suitable for cleaning clogged shower and sink drains, this sink drain cleaner helps clean drains by dissolving the clogs in the minimum possible time. It ensures ultimate effectiveness on kitchen and toilet scum.
Formulated with an anti-corrosion ingredient, this drain clog remover gets rid of clogs in showers, sinks, and bathtubs and is safe for PVC pipes, metallic drainage systems, and garbage disposals. The gel drain cleaner comes with a money-back guarantee in case of ineffective cleaning. If you need further convincing, check this YouTuber’s review out.
Quick tip3. Best Liquid Drain Cleaner:Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Eliminator
Image: Liquid Plumr Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product boasts 9,700 reviews on Amazon, and many buyers have said they would purchase the product again.
This liquid drain cleaner, available in a 16oz bottle, is formulated for hair drain clogs. It serves as an ideal maintenance solution for standard bathtub and shower drain obstructions.
Available with a money-back guarantee in case of inefficient cleaning of hair clog, it has over 70% actives to clear fully blocked or slow-running drains. The professional strength drain cleaner is also suitable for old drains, and plastic or metallic pipes, ensuring non-corrosive cleaning within 15 minutes. Check out the review of this product based on the tester’s experience on YouTube to know why it is one of the best out there.
Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener Cleaner and Hair Clog Remover Best High-Density Liquid Formulation | Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner from Drano Best For Clogged Shower | Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Eliminator Best Liquid Drain Cleaner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 64 Ounces | - | - |
| Dimensions | - | 8.75 x 5.75 x 10.63 inches | 3.54 x 2.24 x 8.35 inches |
| Weight | - | 6.37 Pounds | 1.31 Pounds. |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 27,273 | 14,788 | 9,700 |
| Price | $21.98 | $14.47 | $5.18 |
4. Best For Any Drain Type:Instant Power 1969 Hair and Grease Drain Opener
Image: Hair & Grease® One of the best formulations, this unique and powerful drain cleaner dissolves clogs from bathroom drains and creates heat for effective cleaning. The heat produced melts stickiest greases from kitchen sinks and dissolves hair to clear the drain.
Leaving the kitchen drain cleaner in the drain overnight ensures deeper dissolution for effective unclogging. It is 20 times stronger than regular cleaners while being safe for any drain type.
Quick tip5. Best Organic:Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria
Image: Bio Clean An organic drain cleaner, Bio-Clean’s Drain Septic Bacteria eliminator is a unique combination of natural bacteria and enzymes for effective cleaning. Active yet eco-friendly microbes feed on the plumbing system’s organic waste to keep it clean and clog-free. Usable for up to 100 drain treatments, this natural cleaner helps you save on plumber costs for septic clean-up.
It serves as a suitable drain cleaner tool for septic tanks, garbage disposals, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, bathtubs, and shower drains.
6. Best Cleaner For Lavatory:Thrift Gidds-TY-0400879 Drain Cleaner
It is a unique formulation manufactured in the United States and has a high concentration of sodium hydroxide. It instantly and effectively cleans drain lines within 60 seconds.
It is a suitable cleaner for lavatory or kitchen sink surfaces, septic systems, sewer lines, and grease tracks. This odorless toilet drain cleaner actively cleans clogs when used with hot water.
7. Best Bio-Degradable:Xion Labs Industrial-Strength Drain Opener Liquid
Image: Xionlab It is a gel liquid cleaner made with innovative technology to clean clogs from the roots. This quality-tested and safe formulation from Xion Labs is highly effective and is odorless, bio-degradable, and non-inflammable.
The industrial-strength drain cleaner is suitable for removing clogs from all types of drain pipes. It also comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.
8. Best Fragrance-Free:CLR Clear Pipes And Drains Clog Remover And Cleaner
Image: Clr The CLR clog remover and cleaner is a potent, natural enzyme-based solution for eliminating clogs and buildup in your pipes. With its fragrance-free formula, the cleaner dissolves stubborn blockages such as hair, soap, oil buildup, kitchen waste, and more, to restore the flow of your drains.
The versatile cleaner is suitable for use in sinks, showers, toilets, tubs, garbage disposals, and other plumbing systems. The enzyme-based drain cleaner is safe for all pipes, drains, and septic systems, as well as for humans, pets, and the environment. Additionally, it can be used monthly to maintain clear pipes.
9. Best Clog-Dissolving:Professor Amos Superfast Drain Cleaner
Image: Professor Amos This powerful formulation is usable for up to four to six cleaning sessions and offers guaranteed cleaning results for slow and clogged drains.
The slow-drain cleaner solution cleans through the toughest grime by liquifying and dissolving the clog. It is suitable for different plumbing settings, including PVC and copper.
10. Best Multipurpose:Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver
Image: Green Gobbler The tried-and-tested drain cleaner from Green Gobbler features a fast-acting formula specifically designed to dissolve hair, soap scum, grease, toilet paper, and other stubborn clogs in your pipes. Its potent yet non-corrosive formula is safe for most plumbing systems and pipes, making this safe-for-pipes drain cleaner a convenient solution for unblocking showers, sinks, toilets, and other drains.
Moreover, the cleaner’s dual chamber bottle dispenses the precise amount of liquid required, eliminating the need for manual measuring.
11. Best With Thick Gel Formula:Biokleen Bac-Out Drain Cleaner
Image: Biokleen Formulated as an organic drain cleaner, Biokleen’s unclogging solution is composed of non-toxic, eco-friendly plant extracts and live enzyme-producing cultures. It easily cleans slow and clogged drains with its thick gel formula. The non-acid based cleaner also deodorizes the drains, eliminates foul smell from long-held clogs, leaving them fresh and fragrant. It is suitable for shower drains, bathtubs, and kitchen sinks.
12. Best Enzyme-Induced Formulation:Earthworm Drain Cleaner
Image: Earthworm The specially formulated liquid drain cleaning expert from Earthworm is suitable for cleaning slow and clogged plumbing systems, including drains, garbage disposals, sinks, and septic systems. The bathroom drain cleaner keeps the drain pipes damage-free due to the natural enzyme-induced formulation that acts as a biological catalyst.
The absence of harsh and toxic residues makes it safe for children. With its sage and citrus fragrance, the drain cleaner leaves the kitchen or bathroom fresh and fragrant.
13. Best Foaming: Ololo Drain Clog Dissolver
Eliminate hard water deposits and stains from your drains with this Ololo pipe dredge sink and drain cleaner. It requires no scrubbing and removes dirt with its foaming action. This foaming drain cleaner is suitable for bathtubs, sinks, vanity, and showers.
The cleaner is formulated with powerful agents that break down waste and keep the drain clean. It comes with double-sealed bottle closure, ensuring the product doesn’t lose its quality. This tried-and-tested pipe cleaner is in powder form and dissolves effectively.
Pros
- Fast cleaning
- Breaks down grease, fats, and oils
- Breaks down food residues and hair blockage
- Eliminates odor
- Convenient to use
Cons
- May not be highly effective against tough grease
"After multiple attempts with various clog removers, I found this product that proved effective. It only required a small amount to tackle the tough clogs in my shower. A quick reaction with hot water, and its fizzing action made a difference on the stubborn blockages."
Caution14. Best Biodegradable:ComStar Pure Lye Drain Opener
Image: Com Star ComStar Pure Lye drain opener comes in bead form and contains 99% pure sodium hydroxide. It dissolves grease and hair, making it an effective solution for clearing clogged drains, grease traps, and septic systems.
The non-acidic and biodegradable formula is free of unpleasant odors or fumes. Further, it is safe to use on chrome trim, fine fixtures, and metal or plastic pipes, making the grease clog remover suitable for showers, sinks, toilets, and other plumbing systems.
15. Best For Cleaning Septic Systems:SC Johnson Professional Drano Max Gel
Image: Sc Johnson Professiona Drano SC Johnson Professional’s clog remover comes with a thick formulation for quick clog dissolution and drain cleaning. This quality-tested septic-safe drain cleaner can cut through clean water to reach out to the drain blockage, and clears drainages with zero passage.
You can see the results within seven minutes of its use on clogged drains. Suitable for soap scum, hair, or gunk removal, its use fits various plumbing systems, including metal pipes, PVC, and garbage disposals.
How To Choose The Right Drain Cleaner?
Here are some essential things to consider while selecting the best drain cleaner for your shower, kitchen sink, or toilet unclogging.
- Reason for drain clog: Blockages could be tough-to-remove grime or gunk, hair clogs, soap scum, grease, plastic, food, and more. Different cleaners can help dissolve different blockages. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the suitability of your selected drain cleaner.
- Time taken to unclog: Unclogging time of a drain cleaning formulation indicates its efficiency in cleaning. Choose a cleaner that provides results within a few hours of use.
- Type of drain cleaner: Drain cleaning solutions can be segregated based on their state, ingredients, and effectiveness. You can select between environmentally friendly cleaners and chemical cleaners and between liquid and powdered options.
- Type of plumbing system: If a drainage system is made of PVCs or metallic pipes, go for non-corrosive cleaners. Contrarily, you can go for chemical-based acidic cleaners when such corrosive risks do not apply.
- Accompanying hazard level: Depending on their compositions, drain cleaning solutions can be toxic, non-toxic, or environmentally friendly. For houses with children, it is best to choose mild and eco-friendly drain unclogging solutions.
- Budget and pricing: Go through the price of the clog removing formulations before deciding. Make sure to check the number of uses alongside the bottled capacity to make an informed buying decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do drain cleaners expire?
Yes, like any other commercial product, drain cleaners can also expire; therefore, check the expiration date before buying the product or using it.
2. Are drain cleaners safe for septic systems?
Most drain cleaners are not safe for septic systems because they can kill bacteria useful for the soil in the water, either by increasing the pH of the water or by enzymatic actions.
3. Do vinegar and baking soda clean drains?
Yes, vinegar and baking soda can clean drains. Here are a few steps for doing it the right way:
● Put one or two tablespoons of baking soda inside the drain
● Pour white vinegar right on top of the baking soda
● Once you see the foam forming, pour hot water over it to wash away everything
4. Can drain cleaners reduce odor?
Yes, drain cleaners can reduce the odor from your drains. Some will simply clean the drain, and ultimately it will remove the odor, while others will leave a pleasant smell after cleaning the drain.
5. Will shaving in the shower clog the drain?
Yes, shaving in the shower will clog your drain. It happens because the soap residues and water tangle the hair and ultimately clog the drain.
The Bottom Line
In this post, we have listed some of the top-rated and best drain cleaners for tackling clogged sinks at home. In addition, we have also mentioned the various types of cleaners, highlighted the individual product features, and added a detailed buying guide to help you make a well-informed choice. These cleaners help clean your sink mess without needing a plumber’s intervention and save you time and money. Our top picks are the Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover for its versatility, the Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Eliminator that claims to contain 70% more actives, and the ComStar Pure Lye Drain Opener for its biodegradable properties. It is essential to peruse the manufacturer’s instructions for using each cleaning product safely.
Infographic: How To Keep Sinks From Clogging Frequently?
Clogged sinks can disrupt daily routines, causing inconvenience and frustration. Taking prompt action and implementing preventive measures can help maintain a smooth flow and prevent plumbing issues. Explore the infographic, which lists the basic precautionary measures for reducing the risk of clogging bathroom and kitchen sinks.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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Why Trust MomJunction?
Our writers and reviewers have shortlisted the best drain cleaners for our readers, keeping user preferences in mind. The features of each cleaning product, such as the type, formulation, distinctive aspects, and more, are mentioned to help you make an informed decision. Before selecting the most suitable one, you can go through the buying guide section to know about the different factors to look for in an ideal drain cleaner.
