How do you get hair and gunk out of a shower drain?

Author: Annie Fahey  |  Last update: Monday, August 11, 2025

First, if you have metal pipes, pour boiling water down the drain. Then remove hair from the drain. If that doesn't work, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener.

What will dissolve hair in a shower drain?

Heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before seeing if it will clear more easily. If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar.

How do you dissolve a shower drain gunk?

Mix together 1 cup of vinegar (distilled white vinegar works best) and 1 cup of baking soda. First, pour boiling water down the drain to loosen; then follow with the baking soda-vinegar mixture and wait 15 minutes. Rinse with more boiling water.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

Baking soda is abrasive, which, when used in large quantities, will cause the drain more damage. Additionally, the acidic nature of vinegar can eat away rubber and metal, damaging the plumbing. As these products break down the pipe and connectors in the plumbing in your home, it will cause more clogs over time.

How do you get hair and gunk out of a drain?

Combining baking soda and vinegar creates a powerful reaction that can eliminate most hair clogs. Start by pouring a small amount of dish soap down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. After about 5 minutes, the concoction will be at full strength.

DON'T LIVE with SLOW DRAINS - Make Your Shower Drain like New In 2 Minutes

What dissolves drain gunk?

The best way to clean the bathroom sink drain is by using salt and baking soda mixed together, as well as vinegar and boiling hot water.

What pulls hair out of drain?

For best results, start by squirting a little dish soap into your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Wait five minutes or so, for the chemical reaction of the vinegar and baking soda to take effect, then chase that with a cup or more of boiling water.

What is the best homemade drain cleaner?

Baking Soda + Vinegar
  • Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down drain.
  • Plug drain and let sit for one hour.
  • Then, pour a pot of boiling water down drain. Repeat if necessary.

Does vinegar damage PVC pipes?

While harmless for most metal and PVC pipes, prolonged exposure to the acidic nature of vinegar might corrode certain metals, like copper. PVC pipes, on the other hand, can withstand these substances without damage.

Can I pour boiling water down the drain?

Pouring boiling water is quite risky as it might lead to a steam burn or scalding. Another thing to keep in mind is what type of material you are pouring in into. If you have a porcelain sink, it is likely to crack due to the heat. All in all, pouring boiling water down your drain will only cause issues down the road.

How to get sludge out of shower drain?

First, pour a bunch of baking soda directly down the clogged drain, then follow it with some vinegar. You'll get a fun little volcano-like fizzing reaction as the baking soda and vinegar work to help dissolve hair, soap scum, and other gunk.

How to unclog a bathtub drain full of hair?

To unclog a bathtub drain full of hair, follow these steps:
  1. Remove the drain stopper and clean out any visible hair and debris.
  2. Use a drain claw tool to grab and remove hair buildup deep in the drain.
  3. Apply a chemical or natural drain cleaner, following the instructions carefully.
  4. Plunge the drain to dislodge the clog.

What is the best drain cleaner for hair?

Drain snakes are the best drain cleaner for hair clogs, whether the hair is natural or synthetic. If that doesn't work and the hair is natural, try a chemical drain opener. Enzyme-based drain openers are ideal for grease, soap scum and other materials that build up on the inside of the drain.

What will eat hair out of a drain?

If your drain is clogged with hair, baking soda can dissolve hair in a drain. To try this safe and easy method at home – first, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then pour a cup of vinegar (white vinegar) down. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes.

What is best for unclogging a shower drain?

First, if you have metal pipes, pour boiling water down the drain. Then remove hair from the drain. If that doesn't work, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener.

Is bleach or vinegar better for drains?

Drain Line Material

Chlorine bleach can quickly eat away at not only the line but the glue and cement joining the line to the fittings and the condensation pan. If your drain line is PVC, stick to white distilled vinegar for clearing clogs and debris, particularly during winter.

How do you clean sludge out of PVC pipe?

Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
  1. Pour a ½ cup of regular household baking soda into the drain and then add a ½ cup white vinegar.
  2. Cover the drain and let the mixture stand in the drain for several minutes.

Is hydrogen peroxide safe for PVC pipes?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is safe to use in drains. It's gentler than many commercial drain cleaners and does not cause pipe corrosion, making it a reliable choice for routine drain maintenance.

Can you use Dawn and baking soda for drains?

Tbs of Dawn dish soap - 1/2 cup of baking soda- 1 cup of vinegar. Try it out! You might be startled by how much gunk will come out!#

What is the best drain clog remover?

Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover

The 100-year-old company Drano is the Q-tip of drain cleaners — the brand most people think of first for tackling clogs. In our tests, we've been consistently impressed by the clearing power of Drano's gel formulation, which is safe for all plumbing and septic systems.

How to unblock a shower drain?

First, fill a cup with baking soda and pour it down your drain. Wait two to three minutes, then follow with a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will start to bubble. Put the plug in and leave the mixture to work for around an hour.

How to get rid of hair stuck in shower drain?

Use Boiling Water

You can use a funnel or a pouring cup to make this easier. Pour it down the drain at a steady pace, wait a few seconds, then test out your shower. The boiling water can loosen up the soap and grease holding the hair in place, allowing it to flush down properly.

How to clean a stinky shower drain?

First, pour one cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain and allow the mixture to fizzle inside of the pipes for a few minutes. Once the fizzle starts to subside, rinse the drain with hot water.

How to unclog a shower drain without tools?

Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the drain, followed by 2 tablespoons of baking soda. You will immediately begin to see and hear a chemical reaction. Pour an additional cup of white vinegar into the drain to intensify the reaction.

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