Before you call in the plumber, try our picks for unclogging stopped-up sinks, toilets and showers.
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Clogged toilets and slow-draining showers, sinks and garbage disposals aren't just gross — they can also wreak havoc on your home. Standing water in clogged drains is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, and backed-up pipes — whether old galvanized steel or more modern PVC — are prone to freezing and bursting, which can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. To make matters worse, your homeowner's insurance may not cover the cost of the fix, since plumbing backups are considered a maintenance issue, which policies often don't cover.
The good news is that, with a little vigilance and about $10 worth of drain cleaner, you can prevent plumbing mishaps from occurring. Our cleaning and home improvement experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been testing the best chemical and enzymatic drain cleaners for years, evaluating ease of use, convenience and efficacy in both Lab setting and real-world applications.
Keep reading after our picks to learn more about how to choose the right drain cleaner for your needs and how to use it safely. For more cleaning recommendations, consult our guides to the best toilet bowl cleaners and the best toilet brushes.
Drano is the Q-tip of drain cleaners — the brand you probably think of first for tackling clogs. The storied product turns 100 years old this year, so our experts certainly know it well.
In our tests, we've been consistently impressed by the clearing power of this gel formulation, which is safe for all plumbing and septic systems. "It's a caustic cleaner, meaning it contains bleach and other corrosive ingredients that are especially tough on grease and soap scum," says Dan DiClerico, director of the GH Institute's Home Improvement Lab.
It's relatively quick to work, too — and doesn't require much manual labor on your part. Simply pour the formula down a backed-up sink or drain. For minor clogs and slow-flowing drains, the gel works in 15 to 30 minutes. In the case of a persistent clog, you might have to apply the solution a second time, but at less than $10 a bottle, it's still a great value.
Users also like that this drain cleaner doesn't have an exceptionally caustic fragrance. Any lingering smell of the unscented product can be easily mitigated by turning on a bathroom fan.
Liquid-Plumr's thick gel was specifically designed to power through hair clogs that slow down sink, tub and shower drains. According to the manufacturer, it is septic-safe, and based on our experience with other Liquid-Plumr products, we have no reason to think otherwise.
Just consider the application before using this product to clear up any old drain issue. "This one is an oxidizing cleaner, so it's very tough on organic matter like hair and food, but less so on grease," says Rachel Rothman, chief technologist of the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Per instructions, wait for all the water to drain out of the sink or tub (or bail it out if it won't flow), then pour the bottle of Liquid-Plumr — yes, you need to use the whole bottle — slowly down the drain. It takes at least 15 minutes to work. For badly clogged drains, you can leave Liquid-Plumr in the drain overnight to work, then flush thoroughly with hot water in the morning.
Like Drano, this product is unscented and mild. Even self-reported sensitive users say there aren't any bothersome fumes to contend with when using Liquid-Plumr.
No measuring, no mess. Green Gobbler's single-use packs can make clearing a slow-flowing drain super easy. Each package contains five pre-measured ready-to-use powder packets. All you have to do is pour a packet down the drain, add hot water and wait 15 to 30 minutes before flushing with clean water.
For tough clogs, you'll likely need to wait overnight — and possibly even try a second treatment — to fully clear any buildup that's causing the clog.
While the packs themselves are odorless, some clogs may emit a stinky odor as the buildup dissolves. But once the drain is thoroughly flushed, the smell quickly dissipates.
Overall, this product is both convenient and effective — precisely why Green Gobbler has garnered more than 7,300 five-star ratings on Amazon. And, since the product comes with five packs — one or two per clog — it presents a fantastic value, too. You'll get anywhere from two to five uses out of a single purchase.
Bio-Clean uses a special combination of naturally-occurring bacteria and enzymes to digest organic waste such as hair, grease, soap scum, paper, food particles and more.
"Like other enzyme-based cleaners we've looked at over the years, Bio-Clean isn't as fast-acting as chemical cleaners, so you're best off letting it sit overnight in a backed-up drain," says DiClerico. Even then, it might not clear a complete blockage, and multiple uses are sometimes necessary to thoroughly clear partially clogged drains — particularly if the culprit is something exceptionally stubborn like feminine products or a big wad of toilet paper.
We think it's worth a try, though, especially in areas like the garbage disposal, since we found this product does an excellent job of dissolving lodged food. We also like it as a once-per-month maintenance product. It's a sentiment echoed by many reviewers who have used Bio-Clean as a preventative maintenance product and swear by its effectiveness.
You know what they say about an ounce of prevention — and it couldn't be more true when it comes to drains. CLR's Clear Pipes and Drains makes it really simple to keep your pipes clear and prevent clogs with a quick, once-a-month treatment.
"For big, busy households where showers, sinks and toilets have to work overtime, we highly recommend this routine plumbing maintenance," says DiClerico.
Testers raved at how easy it was to use the product. No matter what you're working with — a drain or a garbage disposal — all you have to do is measure out 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) of the fragrance-free fluid and pour it down the drain. In most applications, it takes less than five minutes, but you'll want to let it sit in garbage disposals overnight.
After five consecutive days of use, a slow drain should flow freely. Unfortunately, super stubborn clogs may require a more heavy-duty chemical cleaner.
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It may be a tough-acting chemical cleaner, but Thrift's Odorless Drain Cleaner is safe enough for septic system maintenance. It also claims to be impressively quick to work — the manufacturer says it can clear a slow-flowing drain or clean a grease trap in just 60 seconds.
Just make sure to use hot water, which is required to warm the pipes to dissolve and activate the crystals before you thoroughly flush the drain. Reviewers are impressed by how quickly the product really does work. Plus, many note it's even more effective if you leave it to work on grease traps overnight.
But because it's a strong chemical cleaner, take proper precautions to protect yourself as well as surfaces around the area you're trying to clear. And remember: Chemical cleaners like Thrift must not be used in garbage disposals or in standing water like toilets.
Septic safe, the XionLab Safer Drain Opener works on hair or grease clogs, so it's best suited to showers and bathroom sinks. "We don't recommend this one for toilets or kitchen sinks, since its formulation is not effective against paper, plastics or food particles," says Rothman.
How exactly does it work? The biodegradable formula is a balance between acidic/caustic cleaners and mild enzymatic cleaners. Users say the gel is highly effective on the right clogs and can even cut through standing water to clear mild obstructions in about two hours.
Tougher clogs will take longer — sometimes overnight — and may require multiple applications. Since you need 16 ounces (half a bottle) per treatment, it's wise to budget for a single bottle for every area of concern.
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Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, the flexible Vastar Drain Snake is an inexpensive option to mechanically remove clogs. It reaches deep into drain pipes and flexes at the P-trap, where most obstructions occur.
"I tell people to keep a few of these on hand since it can be enough to clear a clog in seconds," says DiClerico. The barbs grab hair and other messy clogs, allowing you to remove or dislodge them. Many reviewers, while loving this product and how well it works, reminded us how icky some of these clogs smell, so take heed — you may even want to don a mask and flip on the overhead fan in your bathroom. And work slowly; forcing it can break the tool plus damage pipes.
Although it may be billed as a single-use product meant to be disposed of with each use, many reviewers note that, if you're up to the task, the Vastar Drain Snake can be cleaned for future use.
Having trouble eradicating a clogged toilet with a good old-fashioned plunger? A toilet auger may well succeed where a plunger didn’t. It's a much safer alternative than a regular drain snake, too — these tools can cause damage to the porcelain, especially if you're not experienced in using one.
The Ridgid may be more expensive than liquid or gel cleaners, but it can be used time and again. And it's actually relatively simple to use once you get the hang of the directions. (We recommend watching the brand's tutorial first.) The tool has ergonomic handles that make it easy to rotate the cable down the drain line to break up and clear clogs lodged there.
Don't worry about the aforementioned damage, either — this 6-foot auger may reach the depth of your toilet pipes, but it has a vinyl protective guard to help protect against scratches and cracks. You can even attach a drill to it to help with really stubborn blockages — and still be perfectly confident in your ability to get the job done without mishap.
When evaluating drain cleaning products and tools at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we look at how easy and neat the product is to use and how complete and accurate the label and product claims are. We also interview company scientists and review data for product efficacy and safety.
To capture real-world experience, we check online reviews of the product and, whenever possible, have it tested by consumers on real at-home clogs. The drain cleaning tools and products listed here were selected based on our past evaluations and experiences with the products, company research and favorable online consumer reviews.
Different cleaners work for different types of clogs — for example, one that works for a slow-flowing drain will probably not work for a complete blockage.
Here are two types of cleaners to look for while shopping:
✔️ Enzymatic cleaners are slower to clear clogs but are usually less harmful to your plumbing (or yourself). The enzymes (bacteria) in the cleaner slowly break down organic soils such as hair and food that can be found in your drain but might not be strong enough to dissolve a complete blockage.
✔️ Chemical-based drain cleaners work the fastest but also have the potential to cause more damage. There are two main types:
Here are some important precautions to take when clearing clogged drains:
✔️ Try a plunger first: If you're attempting to unclog a toilet, always use a plunger before (not after!) any chemical cleaner to prevent the chemical from splashing back up onto your skin or into your eyes.
✔️ Precisely follow all directions on a drain cleaner's label. Be sure the room is well-ventilated. Do not leave the drain cleaner inside the drain for longer than stated in the instructions.
✔️ Wear gloves and eye protection to protect against splash-back. Do not stand in the tub or shower stall when pouring the drain cleaner.
✔️ Carefully pour the drain cleaner to avoid spills. The caustic nature of some chemical cleaners can damage surrounding stone, marble, stainless steel and other materials. Never mix drain cleaners with other cleaning products — even homemade — or pour a second cleaner down if the first doesn't work. The chemical reaction can cause toxic gas or even an explosion.
✔️ Always flush the drain well after using a chemical cleaner, following the package instructions for the temperature of the water and how long you should rinse.
✔️ Never try to clear a toilet clog with a chemical cleaner. Use a plunger, a toilet auger (a standard drain snake can damage or crack the porcelain) or a natural enzyme cleaner. If the clog still remains, call in a professional plumber.
Depending on the type of pipes you have in your home, damage can occur when using any chemical cleaner, especially if you overdo it. PVC pipes can warp or soften from heat generated by chemical use. For metal pipes, excessive use can cause pipes to corrode and in extreme cases cause holes to develop.
"Our advice to homeowners is still to try a plunger first, since a few vigorous pumps are often enough to suction out clogs, especially if you catch them early," says DiClerico. But if the backup remains, reach for one of our recommended drain cleaners.
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has provided expert tips and reviews on all things cleaning, including products that unclog drains throughout the home.
This article was originally written by Lynn Redmile, a contributing product reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating cleaning products, among other household wares, since 2012.
For this roundup, Lynn worked closely with Rachel Rothman, the Institute's chief technologist and executive director of engineering. Rachel has over 15 years of experience researching, testing and writing about products in the home improvement space. Dan DiClerico, the director of the Institute's Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab, also provided insights into plumbing maintenance for this article. Dan has written about home improvement for more than 20 years.
This article was most recently updated by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer and editor with over 15 years of experience writing about home and cleaning products of all kinds, including drain cleaners and tools. She worked under the guidance of experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute to research and write about the drain cleaners featured in this story.
Lynn Redmile (she/her) is a contributing product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating nutrition, fitness, beauty, textiles, home, pet, and cleaning products since 2012. She brings over 30 years of data analysis and project management experience to the role.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Rachel Rothman (she/her) is the chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also manages GH’s growing research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. During her 15 years at Good Housekeeping, Rachel has had the opportunity to evaluate thousands of products, including toys and cars for GH’s annual awards programs and countless innovative breakthroughs in consumer tech and home improvement.
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