Where To Buy Thrift Drain Cleaner
Liquid-Plumr's thick gel was specifically designed to power through hair clogs that slow down sink, tub and shower drains. According to the manufacturer, it is septic safe, and based on our experience with other Liquid-Plumr products, we have no reason to think otherwise. "This one is an oxidizing cleaner, so it's very tough on organic matter, like hair and food, but less so on grease," says Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Per instructions, wait for all the water to drain out of the sink or tub (or bail it out if it won't flow), then pour the bottle of Liquid-Plumr slowly down the drain. It takes at least 15 minutes to work. For badly clogged drains, you can leave Liquid-Plumr in the drain overnight to work, then flush thoroughly with hot water in the morning.
where to buy thrift drain cleaner
Bio-Clean uses a special combination of naturally-occurring bacteria and enzymes to digest organic waste such as hair, grease, soap scum, paper, food particles and more. "Like other enzyme-based cleaners we've looked at over the years, Bio-Clean isn't as fast-acting as chemical cleaners, so you're best off letting it sit overnight in a backed-up drain," says DiClerico. Even then, it might not clear a complete blockage, and multiple uses are sometimes necessary to thoroughly clear partially clogged drains. Our experts also like it as a once-per-month maintenance product. Many reviewers have used Bio-Clean as a preventative maintenance product and swear by its effectiveness.
Prevention is best when it comes to drains, and CLR's Clear Pipes and Drains makes it really simple to keep your pipes clear and prevent clogs with a quick, once-a-month treatment. "For big, busy households where showers, sinks and toilets have to work overtime, we highly recommend this routine plumbing maintenance," says DiClerico. Testers raved at how easy it was to use (it takes less than five minutes!) and how clear their drains ran afterward. Just pour 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) of the fragrance-free liquid down your drain and leave it to work overnight, flushing with clean water in the morning. The CLR is not the best choice for stubborn clogs, but it can be used to clear slow drains.
Safe for septic system maintenance, Thrift's drain cleaner claims to work in only 60 seconds on slow-flowing drains. Hot water is required to warm the pipes and dissolve and activate the crystals before you thoroughly flush the drain after 60 seconds. Reviewers were impressed by how quickly it worked. It can be left to work overnight on grease traps. Because it's a strong chemical cleaner, Thrift drain cleaner must not be used in garbage disposals or toilets.
Ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, the flexible Vastar Drain Snake is an inexpensive option to mechanically remove clogs. It reaches deep into drain pipes and flexes at the P-trap, where most obstructions occur. "I tell people to keep a few of these on hand since it can be enough to clear a clog in seconds," says DiClerico. The barbs grab hair and other messy clogs, allowing you to remove or dislodge them. Many reviewers, while loving this product and how well it works, reminded us how icky some of these clogs smell, so take heed. The Vastar Drain Snake can be cleaned or disposed of after use.
3 products in 1 bottle. Odorless drain cleaner. For drains, grease traps and septic systems. Will not harm fine fixtures, porcelain, chrome trim, polished brass, metal or plastic pipes. Instant results. Activated by Hot water only. Use in small drains, bath tubs, shower drains, bathroom and kitchen sinks. Do not use in toilet bowls, garbage disposal side of kitchen sink or drains with standing water (if drains are completely clogged, use a snake or cable to allow an air hole in the drain before using). Only works with Hot water. Observe all cautions as listed on label.
Keep face away from fumes and do not allow Thrift to come in contact with skin, eyes, mucous membranes, clothing, aluminum, floors or paint, etc. NOTE: Do not use in disposals, toilet bowls or urinals. Do not mix with other chemicals or drain cleaners.
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.
Caustic and acidic selections usually work within minutes, but the effectiveness of each product depends on its formula. Some can be used in standing water, septic systems, and garbage disposals, while others are limited to partial clogs. Additionally, we preferred products with features that make them more effective, such as a clinging gel instead of liquid drain cleaners.
Our top choices were selected based on their overall quality and efficacy. Significant attention was given to the drain cleaner types mentioned above to help shoppers find the best drain cleaner for their needs.
The three types of liquid drain cleaners are enzymatic, caustic, and acidic, each suitable for tough clogs in different drain locations and types of pipes and clogs. Some liquid drain cleaners are also designed for use with a drain snake to help deal with the stubborn grease clogs common in kitchen sinks.
An acidic drain cleaner is typically made of sulfuric or hydrochloric acid. These drain cleaners are powerful enough to clear heavy-duty clogs like hair, food, grease, soap scum, or paper-based clogs in 15 minutes or less. Acidic drain cleaners are generally safe for newer plastic or metal pipes (e.g., copper) in the sink, tub, shower, and toilet drains.
Yes, drain cleaners can damage the pipes, though it depends on the type of cleaner. Caustic and acidic drain cleaners are harsh solutions that are highly effective at clearing clogs, but they can damage older plastic and metal pipes. Both cleaners seem safe for newer (within the past 20 years) plastic and copper pipes. If you have older plumbing, consider using an enzymatic cleaner to avoid damaging the pipes.
Drain cleaners generally reduce odors because they help clear clogs and eliminate foul-smelling waste from the insides of pipes. However, since drain cleaners can damage your pipes, only resort to a caustic or acidic drain cleaner when an actual clog is present, not just a bad odor. 041b061a72