The Best Drain Cleaners for the Tub, Shower, or Sink

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A clogged drain can be incredibly frustrating (and a little gross) to deal with. Are you taking a bath or a shower? It’s hard to tell the difference when you’re standing in four inches of water.

Not only are clogs icky, but they can also cause damage to your pipes and septic systems over time. They can also create a place for bacteria and foul-smelling odors to thrive, leaving that grimy line of soap scum on your tub when the water backs up. A visit from the plumber can be expensive, but there are several drain cleaners that let you take care of clogs efficiently and for half the cost.

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

What to Consider

It can be challenging to know where to start when shopping for a drain cleaner. If the clog isn't bad, we recommend putting in the elbow grease and using a drain snake to start. If that doesn't work, it's time to pull out the drain cleaner.

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, but they come packed with those harsh chemicals that should only be used when there's a significant clog in your pipes.

Many heavy-duty drain cleaners use harsh chemicals to break through soap, hair, and even bones. That means they'll wear on your pipes if there isn't anything actually blocking them up, 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.

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 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.

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 and can be used in a variety of drains, so you can get multipurpose use from one cleaner. 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.

Max Gel Drain Clog Remover

If you’re a renter like myself, then you know it’s hard to tell what the drain situation in your household is going to look like when you move into a new place. From soap scum in the sink to unwanted hair clumps in the bathtub, it can get pretty nasty, to put things lightly.

That’s why the Drano Max Gel is my tried and true. I always have a bottle of this on hand because it is efficient and effective, clearing away most if not all common blockages. 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.

Liquid Drain Clog Remover & 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. It's safe for all pipes and septic systems, and is unscented so there aren't harsh fumes or leftover aromas after use.

Disposer and Pipe Cleaner

Regularly cooking in the kitchen means that you most likely use your garbage disposal often to get rid of unused veggie scraps or maybe the occasional burnt recipe. It's very easy for the blades to get caked in food, or for blockages to occur in the pipes. These drain-cleaning pods have a foaming formula that works to get rid of lingering odors, as well as help prevent future clogs. Use once a week for the best results.

Drain Clog Remover

An affordable yet durable drain snake is good to have on hand for some of those more serious drain clogs, like in your bathtub, or if you have to unclog very frequently and don't want to damage your pipes.

The barbed edges efficiently grab hair to dislodge it from your drain. The snakes are flexible and can reach deep into the drain pipe, hitting the deeper drain clogs that liquid cleaners might not be able to penetrate.

Be warned, though: Seeing and smelling what comes out might be enough to make your stomach flip.

Clear Pipes and Drains

Instead of waiting to face a nasty drain clog once it’s near the point of no return, opt for a preventative maintenance cleaner instead. It’ll save you from a nauseous stomach in the long run.

This formula from CLR is meant for monthly use, and works on bathroom and kitchen wastes. It’s unscented and free from harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia. It’s best to put this cleaner to work during times of minimal water usage, like overnight.

Hair and Grease Drain Opener

The solution of this cleaner is non-acidic, but the formula creates heat to melt and dissolve unwanted clogs like grease and hair. It is safe to use on all septic and pipe systems, and it's odorless so even when it's being put to work, you won't smell anything. It's best used for sinks and bathtubs, so you can tackle the conditioner build-up that has been plaguing your shower drain.

Drain Clog Remover

There are plenty of cleaners out there that use a combination of harsh chemicals to get the job done. But if you're concerned about what you might be flushing down your pipes and septic system, Biokleen is a good fit. The formula uses a blend of enzymes and live cultures to break down common clogs like grease, foods, and fats. The cleaner can be used for preventative maintenance, too.

Drain Cleaner and Deodorizer

Pesky clogs and bacteria can be a breeding ground for gross odors, too. These sticks can be used to clean your drains once a month. They slowly dissolve over time and are safe for all septic systems. The pack comes with 12 sticks in total, so you'll have fresh and maintained drains all year long.

Dual-Force Foamer Clog Remover

While some liquid and gel cleaners might slip right past certain areas in your pipes to reach the clog directly, this foaming cleaner from Drano expands to hit every nook and cranny for a more efficient clean. It helps to remove foul odors, and works on common clogs like hair, food, soap, and grease.

Washing Machine Cleaner Descaler

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 you answered yes to either question, 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 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.

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