
One benefit that many people see in the gel-based drain cleaner is that the gel takes longer to go down the drain, so it spends more time “working” on the clog. The two most popular drain cleaners are gel-based and liquid-based. The persistence of the clog may dictate how strong of a drain cleaner you will need. Remember that if your drain has been clogged multiple times in a short period, or if you have already tried drain cleaner more than once and the drain is still clogged, you may need a plumber.


The type of clog you have should be considered when choosing a drain cleaner, as they all have their own strengths and weaknesses depending on the source of the clog.

The shower suffers the same fate as the bathroom sink, with hair and soap residue causing major problems (though using a drain protector can help a little). When it’s coupled with toothpaste and soap residue, it can cause major clogs. In the bathroom sink, though, hair is the biggest offender. For example, kitchen sinks often clog from grease and food particles. Nature of clogĭifferent parts of the house suffer from different types of drain clogs. While they may not be quite as strong, they still do a very good job dissolving obstacles and clearing drains. The main benefit is that they’re not as corrosive as acidic drain openers. Overall, acidic drain cleaners are more powerful and able to clean more difficult clogs.Īlkaline drain cleaners, on the other hand, typically use lye as the main ingredient. alkaline drain cleanersĪcidic drain cleaners typically contain high concentrations of sulfuric acid, and they use acid hydrolysis to dissolve hair, soap scum, and any other obstacles in the drain.

Take the following considerations into account when shopping for a drain cleaner. Both the source of the clog and the specs of the drain cleaner will impact the decision. When you have a tough clog that you need to clear, there are a number of different factors to consider when choosing a drain cleaner. Some have very explicit directions, and simply pouring the bottle down the drain will not do. Always read the instructions on your drain cleaner before using.
