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When you really stop and think about it, drains are subject to quite a bit of abuse. While they deposit water and other liquids, they are relentlessly abused by hair and other forms of debris. As this debris piles up, drains start to become clogged. And what’s a clogged drain? A useless drain.
Fortunately, there is a product on the market which can help clean and unclog your drain: drain cleaner. Drain cleaners possess corrosive elements which will break apart grime and residue without destroying your drain itself. But what are the best drain cleaners on the market today? Let’s take a look.
Compare the Top Ten Best Drain Cleaners of 2020
| Picture | Name | Brand | Volume | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | DrainScrub Powder Enzyme Drain Cleaner | DrainScrub | 32 ounces | $$$$ |
 | GIDDS-TY-0400879 Drain Cleaner | Thrift Marketing | 32 ounces | $$$ |
 | Comstar 30-500 Pure Lye Drain Opener | Comstar | 16 ounces | $$ |
 | Drano Max Clog Remover | Drano | 80 ounces | $ |
 | 1969 Hair & Grease Drain Opener | Scotch Corporation | 32 ounces | $ |
 | Clorox Drain Opener | Clorox | 80 ounces | $ |
 | Xion Lab Fast-Acting Drain Opener | Xion Lab | 32 ounces | $$ |
 | Green Gobbler DISSOLVE Liquid Hair & Grease Clog Remover | Green Gobbler | 32 ounces | $$ |
 | Rooto 1030 Corp. 1 Lb. Drain Cleaner | Rooto | 16 ounces | $ |
 | Professor Amos' Super Fast Drain Opener | Professor Amos' | 32 ounces | $$$ |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Volume | Price |
What to Consider When Choosing a Drain Cleaner
Contents
While all drain cleaners are designed to do the exact same thing in the exact same way, there are some differences between them. These differences are small, but make all the difference in their overall functionality. When choosing a drain cleaner, be sure to be cognizant of its volume, its ingredients, its functionality, and its level of safety.
Volume
Drain cleaners come in tubes and tubs of all different sizes, typically ranging from 16 ounces to around 112 ounces. Typically, the larger volume you buy, the more money you’ll be saving per ounce. Of course, there’s no reason to buy any more drain cleaner than you’re actually going to use.
Ingredients
Whereas some drain cleaners are made entirely out of natural ingredients, others are made out of a variety of synthetic ingredients. Neither synthetic or natural ingredients are inherently bad, but you’re typically safer going with all-natural ingredients. Some synthetic ingredients can be damaging to not only your drain, but the environment as well.
Safety
Drain cleaners can be potentially hazardous if ingested through the mouth or nose. While you could just try your best to keep yourself from ingesting your cleaner, it’s also a good idea to play it safe by investing in a cleaner that is as safe as possible. Make sure to check labels for safety and hazard warnings.
Functionality
The best way to know the overall functionality capabilities of a cleaner is by using it. Whereas some cleaners can rot away grime in around 30 minutes, others can take hours. Typically, cleaners with natural enzymes contained within them will do the best job of breaking down grime quickly.
How to Use Drain Cleaner Safely
Drain cleaners have the potential to cause a variety of accidental injuries. Read the labels carefully. Always follow the specific instructions.
After using the cleaner in a sink or tub, rinse the drain thoroughly with running water. Don’t allow children or pets to go near the drain for at least two hours after using cleaner (overnight is best). Even a small residue of drain cleaner is poisonous and hazardous.
Always use drain cleaner in a well-ventilated area. Open any windows. If your bathroom doesn’t have windows, set up a fan to blow air out of the bathroom.
If you feel dizzy, nauseous or otherwise ill when using drain cleaner, stop immediately. Go outside and get some fresh air. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention.
10 Best Drain Cleaner Products On The Market in 2020
1. DrainScrub Powder Enzyme Drain Cleaner
The first drain cleaner we’ll cover is this one from DrainScrub. While it’s certainly on the expensive side, it offers performance which makes it absolutely worth its price.
It’s made out of all-natural ingredients, including natural enzymes and bacteria which will eat away at residue without eating away at your pipes. In total, it usually on takes around around 20 minutes for this cleaner to take effect.
Coming in a 2-pound jug, it will last over quite a long period of time. Applying it consistently for around 5 days straight will typically result in a fully cleared drain.
This cleaner is environmentally-friendly, containing no ingredients which overwhelm the earth of your senses. In essence, it’s a safe and effective product that will almost undoubtedly get the job done.
Pros
- Made out of all-natural ingredients
- Doesn’t possess an overwhelming scent
- Works very quickly
- Does no damage to pipes
Cons
- On the expensive side
2. Thrift Marketing Drain Cleaner
Up next is the Thrift Marketing Drain Cleaner. This drain cleaner is available for around half the price of the DrainScrub reviewed above, but offers comparable value overall.
Like the DrainScrub, it comes in a 2-pound jug. But unlike the DrainScrub, it’s not made entirely out of natural ingredients. There are synthetic ingredients within it, but none of them will cause any damage to your pipes.
After being poured down your drain, this cleaner will take around 25 minutes to take effect. After it’s taken effect, it will loosen up drain residue, allowing it to flush out with hot water.
In summary, this is a superb product. It’s not quite as effective as DrainScrub cleaner, but will serve most purposes for half the price.
Pros
- Tons of value for its price
- Completely non-corrosive
- Works fairly quickly
Cons
- Possesses an overwhelming scent
- Not 100% effective
3. Comstar 30-500 Pure Lye Drain Opener
A very affordable and effective option for clearing your drain is this cleaner from Comstar. Available for around half the price of the Thrift cleaner reviewed above, it offers very comparable value.
It does, however, come in a 1-pound jug. This is smaller than the jug that the Thrift cleaner comes in. The point is that, if you’re looking for a smaller amount, this is the cleaner to opt for.
Making use of a non-acidic formula, it loosens up residue in your pipes without corroding your pipes themselves.
At a maximum, this cleaner will take around 30 minutes to work its magic. Just let it sit and wait for grime to start breaking apart.
Pros
- Works fairly quickly
- Very affordable for its value
- Acid-free ingredients
- Completely safe in every way
Cons
- Won’t clear huge clogs
4. Drano Max Clog Remover
This Drano cleaner is a comparable option to the Comstar reviewed above. Not only is it available for around the same price, but it offers just about the same in terms of effectiveness and speed.
Coming in an 80-ounce bottle, it will last for quite a few cleanings. Using it every day for about 5 days straight will allow you to see visible results.
While it does a great job of dissolving grime and residue, it won’t do any damage to your pipes. In fact, you can leave it in your pipes overnight without having to worry about any corrosion or decay.
Overall, this is a solid, mid-level cleaner. As long as you don’t have to loosen up a huge clog, it should get the job done.
Pros
- Very inexpensive for its value
- Completely safe on your pipes
- No overwhelming odors
- Works fairly quickly
Cons
- Won’t loosen huge clogs
5. Scotch Corporation 1969 Hair & Grease Drain Opener
If you’re looking to get the biggest bang for your buck, you need to consider this cleaner from Scotch Corportation. Available for a mere pittance, it works about as well as the Drano cleaner reviewed just above.
Made with a non-acidic formula, it will break apart hair and other debris without causing any damage to your pipes. In total, it takes around 30 minutes to start taking effect.
It comes in 1-liter bottles; a respectable amount of product which will yield you quite a few uses.
Though it’s not the best drain cleaner around, it’s quite good for its price. If you’re just looking for something to keep on hand for sporadic use, this would be a great option.
Pros
- Won’t harm your pipes
- Very affordable
- Works fairly quickly
- No overwhelming scents
Cons
- Won’t clear huge clogs
6. Clorox Liquid-Plumr
Clorox Liquid-Plumr is a solid, middle of the road cleaner which isn’t quite as functional as the high-end models, but is still fairly reliable overall.
This cleaner comes in bottles of 80 ounces, giving you enough for quite a few uses. In fact, if you don’t need to clear your drain often, it will probably last you well over a year. It typically takes around 16 ounces of cleaner at a time to successfully unclog a drain.
It’s made out of a combination of synthetic and natural ingredients, and is completely safe for drains of all kinds, whether they be made of PVC of metal.
It should be noted that this is a fairly hazardous cleaner. If ingested through the mouth or nose, it can cause serious sickness, and even death. You’ll want to use it in short bursts so as not to inhale too many fumes at one time.
Pros
- Available for a very reasonable price
- Safe for use on all types of pipes
- Comes in a large, 80-ounce bottle
Cons
- Fairly hazardous compared to other cleaners
- Not as functional as some other brands
7. Xion Lab Fast-Acting Drain Opener
This next cleaner is a decent product, but is a little expensive for what it has to offer. Coming in 32-ounce bottles, it’s really no better than the Clorox Drain Opener reviewed above.
It’s made out of a synthetic gel which is functional, but not quite as effective as natural ingredients. In successful cases, it can typically unclog a drain in around an hour. This pales in comparison to higher-end products.
One of the nice things about this cleaner is that it’s about as safe as can be. Approved by the NSF, it can be harmful if ingested, but does not give off inordinately strong fumes.
This cleaner is designed to be used for all types of drains, whether they be plastic, copper, or otherwise. You don’t have to worry about damaging any of the hardware in your house. Altogether, this is a solid, but, unfortunately, overpriced product.
Pros
- Works in perfect tandem with drains of all types
- Fairly safe compared to many cleaners
- Comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Doesn’t perform as well as high-end products
8. Green Gobbler DISSOLVE Liquid Hair & Grease Clog Remover
Next up on our list is the Green Gobbler Liquid Hair & Grease Clog Remover. Available for a mid-level price, it offers standard, run of the mill results when compared when other cleaners.
Coming in a set of 2 16-ounce bottles, this cleaner contains enough volume for around two drain cleanings. It’s made out of synthetic ingredients which are entirely safe for both you and your pipes, provided that you don’t ingest any. The fumes given off by this cleaner are fairly tame compared to most.
After it’s been applied to your drain, you typically must leave it for around 30 minutes in order for it to function successfully.
Overall, this is a solid, but not extraordinary drain cleaner. It’s not too much different than the Xion or Clorox cleaners reviewed above, which is to say: it will get the job done (most of the time).
Pros
- Generally safe for humans
- Is compatible with drains of all types
- Doesn’t possess a terrible odor
Cons
- Won’t accommodate serious clogs
- Can take a little longer than high-end products
9. Rooto 1030 Corp. Drain Cleaner
If you’re looking for a solid drain cleaner that can accommodate a single cleaning job, you might be interested in this one from Rooto. Coming in one 16-ounce bottle, it’s available for a fairly reasonable price overall.
This cleaner is made entirely out of lye, which is a natural metal hydroxide that is commonly used to corrode various products. It’s fairly strong, meaning that it should really only be used on strong, metal pipes.
Functionality-wise, this cleaner is right on par with the Clorox and Green Gobbler cleaners reviewed above. It takes around 45 minutes to an hour to clear a clog typically.
Put it altogether, and you get a very solid drain cleaner for clearing out metal pipes. If you’re looking to remove a more serious clog, this wouldn’t be a bad drain cleaner to turn to.
Pros
- Capable of corroding some serious clogs
- Made out of 100% natural ingredients
- Available for a decent price
Cons
- Can be harmful to plastic pipes
- Tends to leave some residue
10. Professor Amos’ Super Fast Drain Opener
To round out our list, let’s review Professor Amos’ Super Fast Drain Opener. This drain cleaner comes in a jug of 32 ounces, giving it enough product for around 2 full cleanings.
It’s made out of a combination of synthetic and natural ingredients, and is very safe for human use. However, it’s not designed to be used with toilets and garbage disposals. This limits its use to an extent.
A good thing about this cleaner is that it possesses essentially no odor. You don’t have to worry about fumes overwhelming you and giving you headaches.
In conclusion, this is a good, but limited drain cleaner. Truthfully, there’s nothing about it that really justifies its price. You can find better elsewhere.
Pros
- Works reasonably quickly when successful
- Completely safe for use by humans
- Possesses no overwhelming odor
Cons
- Very expensive
- Doesn’t work with toilets or garbage disposals