If your sink is all clogged up with a matted mess of old, wet, nasty hair, you may be looking for the best drain cleaner for hair specifically. Sure, there are plenty of drain cleaners out there, but which one are you going to choose? Probably the one that’s specifically targeted to eliminate masses of tangled locks keeping your plumbing from running smoothing.
In this article, we will be reviewing the best cleaners to get the drain clear of hair and working as usual. Hair is a protein which can be troublesome once it gets stuck in the drain and can be a real hassle to clear out. Let’s see which products are highly recommended to get the job done most efficiently.
Quick Overview: Our Best Drain Cleaner Choices
1. Vastar Drain Snake Clog Remover
One of the best drain cleaners for hair clogs, this mechanical snake type device is highly effective on the clogs which are immediately under the sink strainer.
Manufactured by Vastar, it comes in two different sizes which makes it versatile for hair clogs up to 23 inches down the drain. The durability of the tool is amazing, owing to the strength of the ABS plastic, the raw material from which it is made.
The flexibility of the tool makes it apt for reaching the clogs up to the bend of the sink drain pipe. With the warranty period being 18 months, this feature only adds to the highly recommended reviews of the product. Do note that this tool cannot be used to clean any other clog as it is a specific hair clog remover only.
Things We Like:
- Highly durable and sturdy-made from ABS plastic
- Flexible and highly efficient tool
- Easy to handle loop
- Catches hair clogs up to 23 feet
Things We Don’t Like:
- Leaves debris from plastic teeth
- Rough packaging
2. Green Gobbler Hair Grabber Tool Drain Snake
One of the most dedicated hair clogs cleaners; this green gobbler drain snake comes in a pack of five. Regarding its capacity, this one reaches 22 inches down the drain to clean up hair clogs on the way. It will be a breather once you get this product, as it will last for almost a year even if you have regular clogs in the sink drain.
Affordable and effective, this drain snake has been a highly reviewed product consistently for many years and looks to continue on that path.
Things We Like:
- Flexible plastic makes it durable
- Removes clogs up to 22 inches down the drain
- Affordable and long lasting
Things We Don’t Like:
- Only works for certain styles of drains
- Not as effective as Vastar Drain Snake
3. General Pipe Cleaners Drain Auger
This drain cleaner comes in the drain auger category. Amazingly versatile, this is a must-have for your house as it deals equally well with hair clogs, other grease, and food item clogs. Useful for clearing the clogs near and around the pipe bends, this drain auger has a 25 feet cable which makes it far more durable and solid than the plastic made drain snake.
knob on the cable makes the tool easy to work with. Did you say, your home has stubborn drains? Well, in this case, look no further and pick the best product for the job. I am not an admirer of the fact that it needs regular cleaning with a special maintenance oil to maintain its effectiveness.
Things We Like:
- The capacity of reaching clogs up to 25 feet
- Lightweight design with good grip
- Great for wide drain pipes till 2 inches
- An environment-friendly tool with no chemicals
- Affordable and Durable
Things We Don’t Like:
- May have to feed the snake back out by hand
- Metal makes it a little less flexible
4. Drano Drain Cleaner Professional Strength
In this curated list of best drain cleaner for hair clogs, this Drano product is the undisputed leader. Highly effective against all type of clogs, it quickly dissolves hair, grease and food particles down the drain, pushing them out in the process. You need to pour this chemical-based product down the clogged drain to show its magic.
Give the recommended time to settle down and flush the drain with water. If you are finicky not to get your hands dirty, then this is the right product for you. Since this is alkaline based, do remember to wear gloves while using this product and not allow pets or little children around that time. Safe storage is vital as it can be harmful if ingested or inhaled.
Things We Like:
- Highly effective product
- Easy and convenient to use
- Requires safe storage
- Better for industrial use or especially large clogs
Things We Don’t Like:
- Have to let it sit over night
- More expensive than a manual drain cleaner
5. Pure Lye Drain Opener
Do you want to clear up your sink drain on a budget? Are you finicky about using the drain snakes to clean up the hair clogs? If you said yes to both the questions, then Pure Lye Drain Opener is perfect for you. Very useful on hair clogs, this Pure Lye product is of professional strength quality and using it once will ensure that the sink drain is clean of all clogs.
Entirely safe for use in drains with PVC, fixtures or even chrome trims.
Things We Like:
- Very versatile, good for any clog
- Safe for the environment and biodegradable
- Affordable option in comparison to other chemical drain cleaners
Things We Don’t Like:
- Have to let sit
- Not nearly as powerful as other chemical cleaners, not best for large clogs
Drain Cleaners Features To Consider
Though hair is made of protein and organic, its decomposing process is time-consuming. With a variety of chemical drain cleaners, this job can be done satisfactorily.
There are certain jobs that a plunger just can’t tackle, this is where drain cleaners come in.
Let’s take a look at the two main types of drain cleaners.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical cleaners are made of chemicals are highly effective at clearing out the hair clogs, but they pose safety hazards as well if not used correctly. These alkaline based drain cleaners are made of potassium or sodium hydroxide, and generate harmful fumes once mixed with water.
Chemical cleaners must be used with gloves and they need to be safely stored. In homes with pets or little children, it needs to be kept on high shelves where they cannot reach. Take care not to mix them with any other product or try any experiment with them.
Keep in mind the safety concerns when using chemical drain cleaners. However, with that being said, chemical drain cleaners are usually the most effective option when it comes down to it.
Mechanical Drain
Mechanical drain cleaners count drain snakes and drain augers in the category. They are excellent at clearing the drain blockage and are effective at their job. They can be used irrespective of the fact that the sink is dry or filled with water.
We like the fact that they are environment-friendly and safe for people with little children or pets. The absence of chemicals also means while using they will not have any gaseous fumes which may be hazardous to people around, unlike the chemical-based drain cleaners.
However, not all drains are compatible with mechanical drain cleaners and may require something that’s a little more powerful to get the job done.
Environment-Friendly
For someone, who want to clean their drain and also have an eye on the environment, mechanical drain cleaners are the best choice. They are safe for the environment and perform the job at hand exceedingly well.
With the world increasing its toxicity every passing day, it also makes sense to take care of your home and environment.
Easy to Use
Most drain cleaners on the market are made in powder format or small packets. This model is convenient and makes it easy to use. Just place the packet at the drain opening, allow water to run over it, and the drain gets cleared up in a jiffy.
The active ingredients in the drain cleaner products make them act on the clogs, fights and breaks them down, unclogging the drain in the process.
Deodorizer
Foul stenches also emanate from the drain openings, when the drain pipe has not been completely cleaned. There may also be food particles or grease still stuck within the drain pipe. In this case, you may need a separate disposal deodorizer to remove this awful smell from your house.
Well, why not buy a good drain cleaner for hair which smells good as it has added fragrances to clear up the foul odor.
Quality
Quality of the product is one of the most vital aspects to keep in mind before purchasing any drain cleaning product. If a product is cheap but not good in quality, it will not be effective,and you may end up re-buying another product to get the job done.
Take your time and do the basic research to ensure that you buy a good quality product and get the job done. Reading reviews and asking around for recommendations is one way of getting unbiased reviews and feedback.
Sanitizer
Sanitizing is another aspect which should be kept in mind while purchasing drain cleaners. No one wants any germs or bacteria breeding in their homes, right? Having germs and bacteria can grow many viruses and unhealthy bacterial breeding in the home potentially causing diseases and safety hazards.
Good drain cleaners usually have sanitizing capabilities which keep the germs and bacteria at bay and stops them from spreading around the house.
Safety
Undoubtedly, the mechanical models are safer as they are chemical free. The chemical-based drain cleaners can be potentially dangerous if not properly taken care. It can lead to burns or poisoning if inhaled or ingested or even touched. Safety equipment is recommended when you use this product. Safe storage is also advisable.
Wrap Up
With numerous products flooding the market, I hope you make a well-thought decision as to which drain cleaner for hair to get. Whether you choose the chemical-based drain cleaner or a mechanical one, any of the products shown here will get the job done with unparalleled efficiency, and you will have an unclogged drain in a matter of minutes.
If you’re worried about safety or noxious chemicals, perhaps the mechanical route is better for you. If you’ve got an industrial sized mess or a clog you want gone guaranteed, the chemical route may be best. Both are relatively safe and effective, so it comes down to budget and preference.
When it comes to our favorite drain cleaner, we tend to go the mechanical route with the Vastar Drain Snake.
