No matter how careful we are, we will all experience clogged drains at some point.
This is especially true since there are actually many possible reasons why our drains get clogged.
For example, hair clogs your shower drains. This is most likely to happen if you have many female family members.
To better equip you to solve clogged drains, we’ve compiled the five best drain cleaners for your floor drains.
TYPES OF DRAIN CLEANERS
Let us first introduce you to the different types of drain cleaners before giving you our list of the best drain cleaners.
1. PHYSICAL DRAIN CLEANERS
These are solid objects that you can use to remove the clogs in your drains.
- Drain snake.
This is a pole-like object with one thin but flexible end. This type of physical drain cleaner is best used for removing hair clogs.
To use it, simply insert the thin, flexible part into your drain. Hold the other end and then spin until you are able to remove the clog.
A good example of this would be the FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner.
- Drain Augers.
A physical drain cleaner with a cone-shaped tool on one end.
It is used for breaking up solid objects that clog your drains. It can also be an electronic device.
A good example of this would be the Drain Auger and Breezz Clog Remover with Drill Adapter.
- Drain Plunger.
This is different from your toilet plunger. This physical drain cleaner is smaller and has a suction cup on one end.
The other end is a pole-like thing that is meant for you to hold.
A good example of this would be Luigi’s Sink and Drain Plunger.
2. CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANERS
Chemical drain cleaners are liquid solutions that you can use to break down or dissolve your drain clog.
They rely on the chemical reaction between the cleaner and the properties of the clog.
- Acidic Drain Cleaners.
This type of chemical cleaner uses acid to dissolve your drain clogs. Its content usually includes either muriatic acid or sulfuric acid.
The downside to using these chemical cleaners is that they are not strong enough for some clogs.
You will need to reapply it several times until the clog has been dissolved.
People often use acidic drain cleaners to treat and dissolve hair clogs.
Many recommend wearing protective clothing when using this. This is because of the harsh chemicals in its formulation.
- Caustic Drain Cleaners.
Caustic drain cleaners are usually made of alkaline chemicals like sodium hydroxide.
People often use this type of drain cleaner to dissolve food particles and grease clogs.
Using a caustic drain cleaner is also an effective way to remove soap scum clogs.
These drain cleaners have harsh chemicals. They are, however, safer to use compared to the acids.
- Oxidizing Drain Cleaners
Like the caustic drain cleaners, these chemical cleaners are also safer to use. That is if they are compared to acids.
Oxidizing drain cleaners are usually made of bleach and nitrates. Some even have peroxide.
The problem, however, is that you cannot use them to dissolve stubborn clogs. You can only use them to dissolve organic materials.
3. ENZYMATIC DRAIN CLEANERS
These are drain cleaners that do not contain any harsh chemicals. Because of this, it can be said that they are safer to be used for drain cleaning.
The possibility of damaging your plumbing systems will also be very low.
Enzymatic drain cleaners rely on cultured bacteria and natural enzymes. The reaction of these two to an organic matter will result in the removal of the latter.
The problem with enzymatic cleaners is that they may not be able to dissolve tough clogs easily. You may have to use them several times.
5 BEST DRAIN CLEANERS
1. GREEN GOBBLER DISSOLVE DRAIN CLOG REMOVER
This is a good example of enzyme drain cleaners. Green Gobbler Dissolve was originally created for the kitchen sink.
This liquid drain cleaner is very effective in dissolving hair and grease. It can even be used to remove drain clogs caused by soap and paper.
Reasons why we love it:
- It does not have any harsh chemicals.
- It is safe for garbage disposals, septic tanks, and the rest of the septic systems.
- It does not matter whether you have PVC pipes or metal pipes, it will not damage any of those and your plumbing system.
- It does not have any unpleasant odors that probably came from the presence of toxic chemicals.
- It is safe to use because it does not have any toxic chemicals.
- It is okay to use it to dissolve the organic waste.
- It is biodegradable and non-flammable.
- It offers a money-back guarantee.
If you are planning to use it in areas with tough clogs, like your toilet, you may need to use it more for the best results.
Some people claim that they consumed the entire bottle to remove the clog on their toilet.
This means that you will have to buy more if you have many clogged areas.
However, the price of the Green Gobbler is not the cheapest on the market. For more information, follow this link.
2. DRAINSCRUB POWDER ENZYME DRAIN CLEANER
This drain cleaner is in powder form. Manufactured by Helix Laboratories, it is considered the best drain cleaner by many RV owners.
This is because it is safe to use for unclogging and cleaning the RV’s sink and holding tanks.
It is also highly recommended for removing clogs caused by organic matter.
The reasons why we love it:
- You can use it to remove clogs from all the drains in your house. This includes kitchen sink and bathroom sinks.
- It is safe to use on different kinds of pipes.
- It contains added vitamins. These can help ensure the proper diet of the bacteria present in this drain cleaner.
- It’s safe to use for septic tanks and garbage disposals.
- It is environmentally friendly.
- It does not contain any toxic chemicals.
For this product, we only have two issues:
- The first one is the hassle of mixing the powder with water first before consuming it.
This means that it cannot be used as easily as most liquid drain cleaners.
The ratio of water in relation to the powder is also not standard. It will depend on where you are going to use it.
This means that if you are going to use it on bathroom sinks, you will have a different ratio compared to the mixture for your floor drains.
- Our second concern is the fact that you will not be able to use the area after it has been applied.
Many people suggest that you wait for six hours or more. This means that you won’t be able to use your sink after you apply it.
This will require you to schedule the removal of clogs. You will have to do this to avoid any inconveniences.
But if you are okay with those two issues, then you should choose this drain cleaner. It is definitely one of the best drain cleaners on the market today.
For more information, follow this link.
3. LIQUID – PLUMR CLOG DESTROYER PLUS + HAIR CLOG ELIMINATOR
- It is a gel type of drain cleaner. It can remove the clogs from your pipes in as little as 15 minutes.
- If you are having trouble with your drains because of hair clogs, this one can help you address it.
- If you choose this drain cleaner, you will have to just pour the gel on the sink or drain that you are treating.
- Then, proceed to wait for a couple of minutes. After that, you can now flush or rinse it using hot water.
The reasons why we love it:
- You can use it without worrying about your pipes.
It will not even damage your plastic and metal pipes. It is even safe for old pipes.
- You also do not need to worry about your septic tank system.
- It can dissolve hair clogs.
- It is environmentally friendly.
- It does not have any unpleasant odors.
Given this drain cleaner’s effectiveness, there is no doubt that it is one of the best.
Our only concern is that you may need to consume an entire bottle for it to work effectively. If you have many drains to clean, that can be costly.
However, if money is not an issue for you, you can try this drain cleaner. For more information, follow this link.
4. INSTANT POWER HAIR AND GREASE DRAIN OPENER
It is considered to be one of the most effective and strongest non-acidic chemical drain cleaners.
It is so effective that you can even use it to dissolve most types of clogs.
You can use it to remove clogs caused by toilet paper and organic matter.
You can even use it to dissolve grease clogs and pet hair.
The reasons why we love it.
- It can be used to remove tough clogs.
- It does not have any unpleasant odors.
- It will not damage your septic tanks and pipes.
- It is non-acidic.
- It is one of the most affordable on the market.
Many people suggest that if you want to get the best results, you will have to leave it for a long period of time.
The longer it stays on the drain, the more effective it will be in removing the clogs.
Our only concern for this product is the idea that you will have to use boiling water to flush it. That could be dangerous if you are not careful.
If that is not an issue for you, then you can use this. After all, it is one of the strongest on the market.
For more information, follow this link.
5. BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR
Of course, our list will not be complete without recommending natural products to you. For this natural drain cleaner, you will need baking soda and vinegar.
If you like homemade products and are into do-it-yourself projects, then you may want to try this.
If you want to use this combination, keep in mind that you will need to repeat the process many times. This is especially true if you have a stubborn clog to remove.
Follow these steps:
- Take a cup of baking soda.
- Pour it into the sink or drain.
- Measure about half of the same cup for vinegar.
- Pour it into the sink or drain as well.
- Cover and protect the floor drain.
- Wait for about 30 minutes.
- Pour hot water into the drain.
Remember that you cannot use the drain or sink during the 30-minute soaking time.
Our only concern for this natural drain cleaner is the need to do it several times for tough clogs.
This could be a hassle for some people. This is especially true since you will be using hot water to flush it.
You will need to boil water, and if you are not careful, you could get burned.
FAQS
What do plumbers use to unclog drains?
Acid drain cleaners. Most plumbers prefer to use Hydrochloric acid.
We know this as Muriatic acid, one of the key ingredients of acid drain cleaners.
Can Coca-Cola unclog a drain?
Yes, you can use Coca-Cola as a remedy for your slow drain.
Simply pour coke into the drain and let it stay there for about one or two hours. After that, rinse and flush it using hot water.
Can apple cider vinegar clean drains?
Yes, you can actually opt to use apple cider vinegar instead of the white one. If you want to use this, simply follow the steps we provided above.
SUMMARY
A slow drain can be both frustrating and annoying, The good news is that you can solve this problem easily.
This is because there are now many good drain cleaners on the market today.
Just make sure to choose one that is suitable for the type of clog, your preferences, and your budget.