If anyone in your home has long, thick hair (or fur), you’re probably used to dealing with a clogged shower drain. But did you know you can prevent those clogs from happening in the first place? From drain blockers to chemical dissolvers, these items can help you keep those drains clear for good!
Whether you bathe your precious pup in the tub or shed a lot yourself, nothing clogs your plumbing faster than hair and fur. If you’re tired of standing in a rising puddle in the shower or spending tons of cash on drain cleaners, these handy items will help you clear those pipes and keep them that way.
An Over-the-Drain Stopper
An over-the-drain stopper is a simple, affordable solution that stops clogs before they happen. It fits right over a pop-up drain, and then that’s all you have to do—pop it on top.
Whenever you shower, just place this over the drain. Afterward, just remove the collected hair from around the base. There’s no installation required, it’s incredibly affordable (under $10, at this writing), and we can fully vouch for its effectiveness.
A Drain Snake
Unfortunately, without mitigating efforts, your drain will, inevitably, become clogged at some point. One of the simplest ways to clear it is with a drain snake. This kit comes with two specific tools for hair removal, and five plastic snakes with teeth, which are also pretty effective at removing hair.
This is a great first step before adding a preventative measure, like the over-the-drain stopper we covered above. To use the drain snake, just hold the loop at the top, insert it into the drain, and then pull it up and down a few times to loosen the clog.
When you pull the snake out completely, all that trapped hair (and everything else) will come up with it. Just be warned: it’s not exactly pleasant to see all the goo the snake pulls out of there.
A Flat Drain Cover
Not all drain covers are the same because, well, not all drains are shaped the same. If you don’t have a tub/shower combo or pop-up drain, you can still prevent clogs with a flat drain cover.
This square option will fit over many similarly shaped floor drains, but it’ll also shield many round drains. Simply place it over the top, take a shower, and then trash any collected hair.
A Plunger
A plunger can unstop more than your toilet; you can also use it on your shower or tub drain. The rounded-cup design of this heavy-duty option actually works better on flat surfaces.
To unclog a drain with a plunger, just remove any covers or stoppers in the drain and add a bit of water to the tub. Next, just plunge up and down over the drain for 20 seconds, and then repeat until the clog loosens.
If this doesn’t completely clear the clog, mix two cups of vinegar with one cup of baking soda, and then pour it down the drain. Wait 15-30 minutes, boil some water, and then slowly pour it down the drain.
A Chemical Drain Cleaner
If nothing you’ve tried will break up a clog, it might be time to turn to a chemical drain cleaner. Unfortunately, it’s not a good idea to use these too often, as the chemicals can damage your pipes. However, desperate times call for desperate measures, and a bottle of drain cleaner is much cheaper than a plumber.
For an extremely stubborn clog, we recommend grabbing a bottle of Green Gobbler. Designed to actually break down hair, you just pour it down the clogged drain and let it go to work. The thick, gel-like formula will adhere to any hair, soap scum, or other particles, and dissolve them. Then, just turn on the water and rinse them away.
A Wall Catcher
Sure, most of the hair you shed in the shower will rush straight to the drain thanks to the water, but what about those strands that get caught between your fingers, or stuck on your shoulders and back?
To collect those, you need a wall catcher. This clever little device attaches to the shower wall with suction cups. The front features multiple silicone grippers that grab and hold any hair when you run your hands through them. After your shower, just clean it out, and you won’t have to worry about all that hair clogging the drain.
If it seems like your tub or shower drain is always clogged, it’s time to take control. These handy accessories and tools will help you clear even the toughest clogs, or prevent them from happening in the first place.
