What will dissolve hair in the drain?

Author: Dr. Jillian Moore I  |  Last update: Sunday, August 3, 2025

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 breaks down hair in a drain?

Drano / Liquid Plumber (each of with is sodium hydroxide, a powerful caustic) or ''Muriatic'' (hydrochloric) acid will each work to dissolve hair.

What chemical will dissolve hair?

Hydrochloric acid dissolves hair but it's dangerous if you haven't been trained in its use. Bleach also dissolves hair and is much safer. But why do you need to dissolve hair for a garden?

What product dissolves hair in drains?

Drano / Liquid Plumber (each of with is sodium hydroxide, a powerful caustic) or ''Muriatic'' (hydrochloric) acid will each work to dissolve hair.

Do baking soda and vinegar really dissolve hair?

Baking soda and vinegar can help break down hair, but they are not particularly effective at fully dissolving it. The reaction between baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) produces carbon dioxide gas and water, which can create some agitation that might help dislodge hair and other debris in drains.

SECRET Plumber Trick: Unclog Drain in SECONDS 💥 (Extremely simple) 🤯

Does hydrogen peroxide dissolve hair in the drain?

Thanks to its strong oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide can effectively break down organic materials such as hair. This makes it a powerful option for clearing hair clogs in your drains.

Can you leave baking soda and vinegar in the drain overnight?

Allowing the baking soda and vinegar mixture to sit in the drain for an extended period, such as overnight, can improve its effectiveness. The prolonged contact with the clog helps break down the build-up more thoroughly, making it easier to flush away with hot water the following morning.

What pulls hair out of the drain?

Use Baking Soda & Vinegar on the Hair Clog Before Plunging It Out. Baking soda and vinegar can be an extremely effective way of dispatching many clogs, and hair clogs are no exception. 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.

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

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

What do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.

What liquid breaks down hair?

Bleach is a “basic” chemical and hair is “acidic”. The neutralization reaction between an acid and a base produces a salt and water. Bleach can dissolve any fiber that has acidic properties. Next time you have a bathroom sink, shower, or bathtub draining slow try pouring a cup of liquid bleach into the drain.

How to make a drain snake?

To make a drain snake, all you need is a wire coat hanger that you can unwind and straighten. Bend the end of the wire into a hook shape and insert it into the drain. Move it around until you feel resistance and then pull out any hair or debris that may be blocking the drain.

How to unblock hair from shower drain?

An effective way of breaking up hair clogs is through the use of baking soda and vinegar. Firstly, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and then after a few minutes pour a cup of vinegar down the drain as well. After a couple of hours you can turn the shower on and see if the blockage has been dissolved.

How do you melt a stuck hair in a 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.

Does Clorox dissolve hair?

Bleach can dissolve hair caught in tub drains and bathroom sinks and that may be why some people believe it is an effective fix. If the hair has been accumulating in the drain for even a short while, it has gathered soap scum and other debris and is now largely protected from being dissolved by bleach.

Can I leave Mr. Muscle drain Gel overnight?

Using innovative drain unblocking technology, Mr Muscle's new biodegradable formula delivers the power to unclog bathroom drains in just 5 hours. Use it at night, let it work its magic and wake up to freely flowing drains.

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.

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.

What happens if you put too much baking soda in a drain?

What happens if you put too much baking soda down a drain? Too much baking soda put down a drain can clog it. It can harden and become a solid, cement-like mass.

How do you make homemade drain hair remover?

USE BAKING SODA & VINEGAR PRIOR TO PLUNGING IT

After about 5 minutes, the concoction will be at full strength. Next, pour a cup of boiling water to help clear out the clog. Your drain should be mostly clear, but we recommend using a cup or flap plunger to remove any hair left over.

How to fix a slow draining bathtub?

Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar (about 1 cup of each) and pour the blend down the bathtub drain after a pot full of hot (not boiling) water. Cover the drain after you pour the mixture for up to 10 minutes. Finish the job by pouring another pot full of hot water down the drain to flush the clog. Use a plunger.

What burns hair in drains?

Another option for dissolving hair in a drain is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This mixture will create a chemical reaction that will break down the hair.

Can hydrogen peroxide unclog a drain?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is safe to use for unclogging a drain. It will dissolve and loosen natural matter—like skin cells—stuck in the pipes. Hydrogen peroxide also reduces germs and disinfects the drain, helping it smell fresher and clean.

Are you supposed to turn on water after pouring vinegar and baking soda down drain?

Allow the vinegar and baking soda combination to fizz for a few minutes. Rinse with hot water and run the garbage disposal for another few seconds.

How to unclog hair from shower drain without a snake?

If boiling water and removing the hair do not work, you may still have to figure out how to unclog a shower drain. To make a DIY cleaning solution, mix 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of vinegar in a heat-resistant cup. Remove the drain cover and pour in the solution, which will immediately start fizzing.

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