Top 5 Drain Cleaners of 2019

Drain CleanerHow would you feel if you woke up one morning only to find your bathroom looking like a filthy pool because of the overflowing toilet?

Disgusting, right!

And the next moment, you will find yourself running to the nearest store and bugging the sales person to help you find the best drain cleaner.

This is one of the common examples of household plumbing emergencies. If you are like most people, you must have been guilty of ignoring the drains of your house (at least once) until one of them got clogged and created a mess in your kitchen or bathroom.

Clogged drains are not only nasty, but they also create inconvenience and can be difficult to clean. Moreover, they also pose many health risks. Standing water along with gunk and organic matter provide an ideal breeding ground for different types of bacteria.

As opposed to what many people think, drains do not get clogged overnight. Plumping emergencies mostly commonly arise because we ignore the little signs that hint towards the bigger issues lingering in the drains.

To avoid plumbing emergencies, experts tell people to be very careful about what they throw down their house drains and recommend cleaning their drains regularly using the best drain cleaner.

But, how do you know which drain cleaner is the best?

Don’t worry – we have got you covered!

5 Best Drain Cleaners of 2019

Drano Max Gel
  • FEATURESDoes not give off any dangerous fumes
    Does not contain phosphorus
    Can be left overnight
Green Gobbler Dissolve
  • FEATURESWorks great for all bathroom drains and kitchen sinks
    Biodegradable
    Non-inflammable and odorless
Xion Lab Safer Drain Opener
  • FEATURESWorks quickly
    Best drain cleaner for grease and hair clogs
    Approved by NSF hence, safe to use

Tired of trying every drain cleaner available in the market in an attempt to find the one that actually works?

It’s time to put to rest the age-old quest for the Holy Grail of drain cleaning.

We have reviewed some of the best clog removers available out there and have identified the pros and cons of each.

Continue reading to find the ultimate solution for different types of drain clogs…

1. Drano Max Gel Clog Remover

Drano Max Gel Clog Remover

Drano has been known for making some of the best drain cleaners. The Max Gel Clog Remover is the latest addition to their line of products and has quickly gained popularity because it’s safer than other Drano products and can be used for all types of pipes. It contains a special ingredient that protects drain pipes from corrosion.

The thicker consistency (it is gel) makes it great for stubborn blockages and drains that are completely clogged. You don’t have to wait all day for the standing water to somehow pass through the drain to use this product. Since it is thick, it easily gets to the bottom of the standing water and performs its magic.

Drano Max Gel is the best drain cleaner for hair clogs. This means it is your best friend for cleaning bathroom sinks and shower drains. It also works well for grease and soap scum. However, the product is not recommended for toilet clogs.

While the gel is quite safe and does not give off any hazardous fumes, it is suggested to wear goggles and gloves while using it – better safe than sorry!

How to Use?

For drains that are slow or partially blocked, pour half of the 32 oz. bottle directly on the drain. For tough or complete clogs, pour the whole 32 ox bottle slowly over the drain. Leave for 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the severity of the problem) and then flush the drain with hot water.

Pros
  • Can be used on all types of plumbing pipes, including metal pipes
  • Safe – does not give off any dangerous fumes
  • Works best for hair clogs – the most stubborn of all types of drain clogs
  • Does not contain phosphorus
  • Can be left overnight
Cons
  • May take a little longer to work than other Drano products
  • Not recommended for toilet drains

 

2. Green Gobbler Dissolve

Green Gobbler Dissolve

If you are looking for an enzymatic solution for treating the slow and clogged drains of your house, Green Gobble products are your best bet. With a range of green and easy-to-use products, Green Gobbler’s drain cleaners are the foremost choice of a large number of people.

Green Gobbler Dissolve is specially designed for blockages in bathroom drains caused by the accumulation of toilet paper, soap scum and hair. Due to the thick formula, the product clings to the drain pipes and removes dirt and sludge, liquefies the hardened soap scum and grease, dissolves toilet paper, and breaks away hair clogs.

If you have got a slow draining sink, tub, or shower drain, pour the Green Gobbler Dissolve and you will have a clean and free-flowing drain within minutes.

The only downside of this product is that it doesn’t work that well on completely clogged drains – but, this is somewhat expected from an enzymatic cleaner.

How to Use?

The dual chambered bottle design of Green Gobbler Dissolve has made it super easy to use. Simply, pour the solution of one chamber (use the entire bottle for tough clogs) down the drain, slowly, leave it for some time, and then run hot water or flush. Voila! Your drains will be like the newly installed ones.

For tougher clogs, you can leave the product overnight.

Pros
  • Does not contain harsh chemicals like most traditional drain cleaners and hence, safe to use
  • Works great for all bathroom drains and kitchen sinks
  • Biodegradable
  • Non-inflammable and odorless
  • Non-corrosive – does not cause any damage to the pipes.
Cons
  • Not effective for completely clogged drains
  • May take a little longer due to the absence of very harsh chemicals

 

3. Xion Lab Safer Drain Opener

Xion Lab Safer Drain Opener

Whether caused by hair, grease, soap scum, organic matter, or just gunk, this Safer Drain Opener by Xion Lab works great for all types of blockages and clogs, except the ones caused by paper and plastic.

While this does not qualify as the best toilet cleaner, it definitely is the best clog remover for all other household drains.

The thick liquid formula makes it safer and easier to use, as it does not splash, and effectively clears all the drains without leaving any odor. The Lab Safe Drain Opener is also the right choice for people who prefer to use eco-friendly products – the product is biodegradable. The drain cleaner is approved by NSF for safety and quality.

How to Use?

Pour about half of the bottle down the clogged drain and leave it for about half an hour. Flush with hot water and done! No more fuming over slow drains.

Pros
  • Works quickly
  • Best drain cleaner for grease and hair clogs
  • Approved by NSF hence, safe to use
  • Can also be used for septic tank systems
  • The company provides a refund policy for dissatisfied customers
  • Environmentally-friendly – the product is biodegradable and the bottle is recyclable
Cons
  • May not be highly effective for complete or highly stubborn obstructions
  • Does not work on paper and plastic clogs.

 

4. RID-X Septic System Maintenance

RID-X Septic System Maintenance

While septic systems do not need to be cleaned as regularly as other household pipes and drains, it definitely needs to be checked for maintenance. For a household septic system, it is recommended that you get it professionally cleaned at least once in every three years. However, it may need more frequent cleaning if there is a high volume of solids in the wastewater that flows through it.

This does not mean you should call a professional every now and then – you can do the septic system maintenance on your own. A few things to be careful about are:

  • Keep an eye on what’s going down your drains – do not throw paper towels, cigarettes, facial wipes, pet litter, sanitary napkins, diapers, down the toilet drain.
  • Coffee grounds can cause a clog in the septic system much quickly than it took you to make the coffee.
  • Do not overload your septic system
  • Carry out regular inspections and maintenance. And here is where the RID-X Septic System Maintenance comes in handy.

We know how difficult it is to find a drain cleaner that is safe for septic systems. Therefore, we have found the right product for you!

RID-X comes in a powdered form and is not only safe, but also very easy-to-use. Its dual-action formula effectively cleanses your septic system by breaking down all the waste material that has accumulated, over time. Whether it’s grease, oil, organic matter, or paper, RID-X works for everything and helps to prevent septic backups, which can create havoc in your home.

How to Use?

Use RID-X once a month to keep all the septic system problems at bay. Using RID-X is very simple –just add the powder to the toilet bowl and flush.

9.8 oz pack is suitable for tanks up to 1500 gallons.

Pros
  • Safe for all types of septic tanks and pipes
  • Works effectively on all types of waste materials and buildups
Cons
  • Contains enzymes and bacterial spores due to which it may trigger certain allergies and cause problems for people with respiratory diseases

 

5. Comstar 30-500 Pure Lye Drain Opener

Comstar 30-500 Pure Lye Drain Opener

Toilet clogs are the nastiest and most disgusting of all – there are no two views about it. The sight of a blocked or an overflowing toilet is so sickening that you can’t even handle the sight of it and instantly want to call a plumber.

No more paying hefty amounts to plumbers – we have found the best drain cleaner for toilets!

As evident from the name, Pure Lye Drain Opener by Comstar is 100% lye or sodium hydroxide (the chemical name) and hence, it is a very strong product.

It quickly removes all clogs caused by organic materials and leaves your drains clean and germ-free.

Caution: Lye is a very strong chemical and should not come into contact with your skin – even a very small amount of sodium hydroxide can cause chemical burns. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful while using this product and follow all the precautionary measures. Wear protective glasses, gloves, and mask before opening the bottle.

Also, add the product very slowly into the drain because when lye dissolves, it produces heat. Quickly adding too much product can cause fumes, which is dangerous for health, and can also damage the pipes.

To sum up, Pure Lye Drain Opener is the best drain cleaner for toilets. You just have to be careful while using it and you will never be searching for any other toilet drain cleaner again.

How to Use?

Add the lye into the drain and slowly run hot water over it for a few minutes. Leave it for some time (15 to 30 minutes) and it will remove even the toughest clogs.

Pros
  • Highly effective for all clogs caused by organic matter
  • Works quickly
  • Very easy to use
  • Safe to use for plastic pipes
  • Odorless
Cons
  • The chemical is very strong and can be very dangerous, if not handled properly.

 

Buyer’s Guide –Telling the Good from the Bad

With numerous brands producing countless different types of drain cleaners, choosing the right one for your house can be overwhelming.

We know the struggle and this is why we have done the research and have put together a list of the best drain cleaners for different types of clogs in different area of your plumbing system.

Things to Consider While Choosing a Drain Cleaner

Still, we want you to have all the essential information required to sort through the available options and choose the product that best suits your needs. Here are the things you should consider to pick the right products (we followed the same guideline for this blog):

The Type of Clog You Have

There are many drain cleaners that work best on a specific type of clog and are not so great for others. Similarly, there are products that only work for toilet clogs. Make sure you identify the type of clog you have and then purchase the best drain cleaner specifically for that.

Wondering how to identify different types of clogs?

If there is a blockage in your shower area or bathroom sink, hair and soap scum are most likely to be the culprit. If the clog is in your kitchen sink, then the buildup of oil, grease, and/or food particles may be the reason.

Choosing Between Different Cleaners

Drain cleaners are available in liquid, gel, powder, and granular forms. Gel and thick liquid drain cleaners are the most popular for the most stubborn clogs whereas the powdered ones work great for slow-running drains.

Mostly, the type of clogs, pipes, and drains a product is suitable for is mentioned on its packet or bottle. So, do read the details before using any drain cleaner to avoid wasting the product or, at worse, damaging your pipes.

Price

Remember the old adage – you get what you pay for? It applies to drain cleaners as well.  Drain cleaners that are available at dirt-cheap price are not likely to provide good results. However, this does not mean you should buy the most expensive cleansers available out there. But, you should understand that quality products are often a little expensive.

Don’t Fall to Fancy Packaging and Impressive Advertising – Check Reviews!

We live in a world of ever increasing competition, which has made it hard for businesses to attract and convert their target audience into long-term customers. Fancy packaging, catchy slogans, and impressive advertisements are all marketing techniques that companies use to attract more and more people and to stand out from their competitors.

Just because a new product has a great packaging or a celebrity is endorsing it doesn’t mean it is of high quality.

While finding the right drain cleaner often takes some trial and error, checking customer reviews will give you an idea about the overall performance of a product. Check reviews on different online platforms as well as ask around for recommendations.

User Guide – The Right Way to Use Drain Cleaners

While most drain cleaners come with the instructions for use written on the packet or bottle, there are a few general guidelines and tips that you should know and follow to enhance the effectiveness and prevent any trouble. They include:

  • Even if you are using a safe product, it is always better to wear protective gloves, glasses, and mask while using a drain cleaner.
  • Always be careful while pouring the product down the drain – do not splash the product or squeeze the bottle. Also, add the cleaner slowly into the drain. Some cleaners contain powerful chemicals that create heat and fumes, which can be dangerous. When drain cleaners come in contact with the clogs, a chemical reaction takes place. Adding too much of a product can cause a severe reaction.
  • Make sure children, pets, and elderly are not around when you are using a drain cleaner because they are sensitive and can have problems with even harmless chemicals.
  • For stubborn clogs, it is recommended to leave the cleaner overnight.
  • Flush the drains with hot water (not boiling though) once the cleaner has done its magic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the signs that I need drain cleaning?

Following are some of the common signs that indicate your household drains need to be cleaned:

  • Overflowing toilets
  • Slow draining
  • Bad odors
  • Gurgling sounds coming from the drains
  • Water backing up

2. Are commercial drain cleaners safe to use?

With increasing awareness, many companies have started producing drain cleaners using chemicals that are both safe for human health and the environment. However, there are still many products that contain harsh and dangerous chemicals. Always do some research and read the ingredient list before purchasing a drain cleaner to make the right choice.

Final Word

Do not wait for your house drains to get completely clogged. Notice the small signs, like a slow draining sink or water puddle around your feet while taking shower, and treat your clean your drains with a good quality drain opener and clog remover. If left untreated, these small blockages can turn into huge plumbing issues and can wreak havoc in your house.

Even if your drainage system is working just fine, it is recommended to use a clean them using a mild drain opener for maintenance. The drainage system is a part of your house – it needs to be cleaned just like other things in your house.

Choose what you think is the best drain opener for your plumbing system and the types of clogs that are most likely to occur.

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