I can easily recommend both products since both Drano and Liquid-Plumr do the job and clean your pipes, removing any soap residue, hair, grease, food and other things that can clog your drains. Lye further reacts with softened grease, creating soap that hot water dissolves. Eventually it reacts with aluminum and it forms hydrogen bubbles. These bubbles help loosen clog particles. Using Drano starts several chemical reactions in a row, which makes it very powerful. Drano advantages Since drain cleaners are relatively cheap, choose one and give it a try. If it doesn’t work, try the other. If both don’t work, you might have a more severe clog that requires either a drain snake or an actual plumber. To unclog a sink with a garbage disposal, plunge the drain, and tighten a clamp over the rubber part of the drain line to your dishwasher. This can be found under your sink. Caustic drain cleaners are made with alkaline chemicals like sodium hydroxide, which convert the clog into a soaplike substance that dissolves under plain water. They’re best at removing food, grease, and soap scum from bathroom sinks, garbage disposals, showers, or tub drains—usually within 30 minutes, although most aren’t designed for use in toilets since they don’t handle paper products as well.

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. Nothing slows you down like a clogged sink, shower, tub, or toilet. The first step should always be to plunge the drain or snake it with a drain auger to clear the drain without damaging the pipes. But if manual methods fail, the best drain cleaner for a clog can save a plumber’s fee. The 32-ounce bottle of commercial cleaner comes with a convenient pour spout for effortless application. Just pour a few ounces of cleaner into the drain, wait 15 to 30 minutes, and then flush with hot water.Time to give a little thought to your hardworking sewer drain Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Really Work? Sulfuric acid is the key ingredient in this ultrastrength Liquid Fire acidic drain cleaner. It’s potent enough to clear sink and toilet clogs that other cleaners leave behind. Pour 1.5 to 2 cups of cleaner into a drain, wait 15 minutes, and then flush for 5 minutes with cold water.

Using drain cleaner too frequently can lead to potential pipe damage, and one sign of damage is if it doesn't flush thoroughly after using the product.The manufacturer states that it won’t damage plastic and acid-resistant metal pipes (copper). It can also be used in tubs or showers, though avoid using it in pipes made of corrosion-prone metals like aluminum or galvanized steel. When it comes to chemical drain openers, two of the most popular products are Liquid Plumr and Drano. To curate this list, we researched each drain cleaner product and analyzed the various chemical compounds and byproducts. Additionally, we considered the type of drain cleaner, the suitability of each product, and the average or expected working time of the product. Place the plunger over the clogged sink drain and fill it with water (approx. 3–4 inches). Hold a wet rag over the adjacent drain and plunge vigorously for several minutes.

In Good Housekeeping’s list of the best drain cleaners, Liquid-Plumr ranked as the best drain cleaner for hair clogs. Drano Max Gel ranked as the number one best overall drain cleaner. Yes. This product is designed to pour through standing water. It is formulated to clear the full clogs that cause water to stop draining.To determine the clog type, remove the drain cover (if present) and inspect the drain opening with a flashlight. Clogs near the opening can be identified as hair, paper, etc.