A clogged drain is a common disturbance to all homeowners. Whether it’s a kitchen, sink, toilet, or bathtub, plunging or snaking with a drain auger doesn’t feel appealing to most people.
If you are looking for an easy and less-disgusting way to unclog the drains, get the best bathtub drain cleaner, which also works on other drains as well.
Some of these commercial cleaners include chemical or enzyme-based solutions that can be harmful and risky to household use. Nonetheless, there are some cleaners that aren’t much harmful compared to conventional ones that you can use without any issue. If you are interested, be sure to check out these top 7 picks.
Quick Answer – List of Top 7 Drain Cleaners:
- Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver 31 oz
- Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Cleaner
- Drano Max Gel Dain Clog Remover and Cleaner
- XIONLAB Safer Drain Clog Remover
- Liquid-Plumr Clog Remover
- Whink 6217 Hair Clog Blaster
- Green Globber Drain Openings PAC’s
“Top Products Comparison Table”
| Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver | Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener | Drano Max Gel Dain Clog Remover | |
| Pre Measured Application | 2 | N/A | N/A |
| Weight | 31 oz | 64 oz | 80 oz (2 bottles) |
| Dissolves | Organic Materials | Organic Materials | Organic Materials |
| NaOH Presence | No | No | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | Guaranteed | 30 days | Yes |
| Odorless | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eco-Friendly | Yes | Yes | No |
| Manufacturer | Green Gobbler | Green Gobbler | SC Jhonson |
| Ingredients | Patented Non-Custic Blend | Patented Blend of Non-Custic Replacement | Sodium Hydroxide & Proprietary Surfactant Blend |
| Take Times to Clean | 2 hr to Overnight | 2 hr to Overnight | 30 Mins |
Best 7 Drain Cleaners for Tub in 2022:
Among tons of drain cleaners, I found the following 7 to be the best regarding convenient cleaning with far less chemical reaction.
1. Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver 31 oz
If you are to get rid of the dirty plunging and clean the drains effectively, this cleaning formula from Green Gobbler can make cleaning a lot easier for you. Whether it’s your toilet, sink, or bathtub, the cleaner can handle stubborn clogs effortlessly.
It effectively dissolves grease, hair, soap, paper, and organic elements that cause the clog, and makes the water to flow freely without any obstacles. The formula is strong enough to liquefy hair within a few minutes. For best results, apply the cleaner and leave it overnight to effectively unclog the drainpipes.
There is no harmful chemical used to formulate this cleaner. It’s free of bleach or sodium hydroxide. If you are looking for an environment-friendly option to handle the toughest clog, this is the one to get.
- Comes pre-measured for cleaning different drains
- Liquifies organic elements within a short time
- Quickly dissolves hair
- Biodegradable and safe to use
- Thicker cleaning formula
2. Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener + Drain Cleaner + Hair Clog Remover – 64 oz
For cleaning the main line, you need a thicker and more powerful cleaning formula like this one. No matter how messy the condition of the main pipe is, this high-density cleaner will make sure the water flows freely through it.
Constant grease, oils, hair, baby wipes, soap scum, paper, and other similar materials are the ones that clog the pipe. This drain cleaner is powerful enough to liquefy and clean such kinds of messes. Apart from unclogging the pipes, you can also use it as an effective preventive solution.
Even though the formula is very powerful, it doesn’t have any chemical odor. Also, it remains quite gentle on septic systems and pipes. So, you don’t have to worry about risking or damaging the drainage system.
- Powerful and thicker formula to unclog the main line
- Liquifies objects within a short period
- Safe for pipes and septic system
- Odorless, non-corrosive and non-flammable formula
- Ideal for heavy-duty drain cleaning
3. Drano Max Gel Dain Clog Remover and Cleaner for Shower and Sink Drains
If you are looking for more than just a hair dissolver that will be enough for complete drain care, you may consider buying this product from Drano. The cleaner is formulated to dissolve tougher clogs and cuts through standing water due to its thickness.
Although this cleaner is super powerful, it’s much safer and gentle on metal pipes, PVC, septic systems, and garbage disposals. So, unlike conventional formulas, this one is very safe to use. However, you need to be extra careful when you apply it to the drain because your skin can burn while handling the liquid.
No matter how badly the bathtub, toilet, or the kitchen sink clogs, when you have this one, you can rest assured about effective cleaning under any circumstances.
- Dissolves toughest clogs
- Easily cuts through standing water
- Very thick formula
- Safe for septic systems and pipes
4. XIONLAB Safer Drain Clog Remover – Industrial Strength Liquid Drain Cleaner
This particular product is specially formulated for handling the toughest clogs in bathtubs. If you are looking for the best bathtub drain cleaner, this is the one to get.
Its thicker and powerful cleaning liquid quickly attacks at the root of the clogs to open the blockage. The cleaner doesn’t generate toxic gases while conducting the clogs. Cleaning grease, oils, fat, soap scum, hair, paper, and lint aren’t an issue for this powerful formula.
While odorless, non-toxic cleaners don’t provide effective unclogging results, this one is an exception. It’s odorless, biodegradable, non-flammable, yet able to clean the toughest clogs and make water to drain freely. You will not experience after burning smell from the cleaner at all.
The cleaner doesn’t do any harm to the pipes. It will not harm the essential biological enzymes that keep the septic system running well.
- Very effective at cleaning bathtub clogs
- Dissolves hair, fats, grease, soap scum, lint quite well
- Odorless, non-flammable, biodegradable
- Doesn’t harm pipes and septic tank
- No sharp burning smell
5. Liquid-Plumr Clog Remover, Professional, 80 oz
Professional drain cleaning jobs require more powerful solutions to be able to keep the water flow normal all the time. If you are looking for a commercial-grade cleaner for office, school, restaurants, daycare centers, or other commercial purposes, you may consider getting this clog remover from Liquid-Plumr.
No matter whether you are having issues with a fully clogged or slow-running drain, this formula can provide you fast unclogging service. This heavy-duty cleaner penetrates hair, grease, wipes, and other thicker materials, and dissolves those within the shortest possible time.
Like the rest of the cleaners on the list, this one also acts gently on the septic system, PVC, metal, and pipes. So, regarding safety from this aspect, you can trust on Liquid Plumr.
- Effectively cuts through standing water
- Commercial solution for fully clogged and slow running drains
- Penetrates clogging materials
- Fast dissolving action
- Safe on pipes and septic system
6. Whink 6217 Hair Clog Blaster, 32 Ounce
For most household drain cleaning, you don’t need an ultra-powerful and toughest formula to handle normal clogs or slow running water issues. This cleaner from Whink can be a great choice without spending much on unclogging the drains.
The formula is thick enough to cut through standing water and attack the main clogs. Whether it’s hair, soap scum, grease, or other day to day elements that are causing the clogging, you will find this cleaner very effective at dissolving them. This can be the best cleaner for bathtubs within this price range.
Apart from cleaning, the formula is safe to use. Unlike conventional formulas, it doesn’t cause any harm to pipes, copper connections, and septic systems. You will not feel noxious odor while applying it to the drains.
- Very effective at dissolving hair
- Safe to use for septic system
- Doesn’t contain noxious odor
- Great cleaner for bathtubs
7. Green Globber Drain Openings PAC’s – 8.25 oz 5 Pack
These 5 drain cleaning packs can be an effective solution for your clogged sink, toilet, bathtub, and other household drains. No need to be concerned with the amount you should pour into the drain as these packs come pre-measured.
You will find the cleaner powerful enough to dissolve hair, grease, soap scum, toilet paper, and other day-to-day organic materials. It easily cuts through the standing water and gets into the clogs. For best results, pour the pack and leave it overnight, you will find the water flowing through the drain flawlessly in the morning.
Green Globber didn’t use any toxic and harmful chemicals to formulate this cleaner. It’s much safer and convenient to use. Even if your septic system is quite older, the formula will be very gentle on the pipes.
- Convenient and easy to use packs
- Effective at cleaning bathtub, toilet, sink, and shower clogs
- Dissolves materials quite well
- Non-toxic, non-fume formula
- Safe for pipes
Factors Need To Consider While Choosing the Best Drain Cleaner for Tub:
Once you have decided to leave the unclogging task to a commercial cleaner, there are a few factors that you need to consider to make sure you get a safe and effective formula.
Effectiveness
Without a doubt, you want the cleaner to do the unclogging job effectively. As not all the formulas are the same, you need to determine the using purpose and find a product that meets those requirements.
If it’s for the drain of your bathtub where hair and soap scum are the main reasons for clogging, you don’t need to spend much on a super-powerful formula. However, if you are looking for a cleaner to use for kitchen sink, toilet, garbage disposal, and bathtub, consider getting one with a more powerful dissolving formula.
Cleaning Time
Depending on the formula and mess type, cleaning time varies. Stronger cleaners can dissolve elements quicker and unclog the drain within a short time. Whereas, there are some formulas that require a few hours to unclog perfectly.
If you run a business, then go for one that takes fairly less time to clean. For household use, it’s fine to get a cleaner that unclogs within a few hours or overnight.
Safe for Septic System
As these chemical liquids have high dissolving power, if you get an extra powerful formula, it can damage the pipes, septic system and cause corrosion. All the products on the list are very gentle on the pipe as well as septic systems; therefore, you will have no issue regarding it.
Odor
Drain cleaners are well-known among the homeowners to have a sharp chemical odor. However, there are some environmentally friendly odorless formulas out there that will have no after burning smell at all.
How Do You Fix a Slow Draining or Clogged Bathtub?
Before you attempt to fix slow draining or clogged drain issues, be sure to wear thick rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask. Thoroughly read the instructions that the cleaner has on its packaging or bottle, there will be some safety instructions and warnings that you need to follow.
Now, hold the cleaner and open it. Pour the required amount of cleaner according to the given instructions. Don’t squeeze or tip the bottle while pouring. Once you are done, you will need to wait for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the formula. For the toughest clogs, it’s better to leave it overnight to get the best results.
When the waiting time is over, be sure to flush the drain using hot water. If you still find that the drain is clogged or running water slowly, consider using the cleaner for a second time, as per the instructions allow.
How to Prevent Bathtub Drain from Being Blocked?
You can prevent clogging the drain in the first place; so, you don’t need to use too much of such chemical cleaners. Check out the following tips to prevent blocking the drain.
● Don’t pour grease, oil, fat, etc. materials down the drain while cooking. These build-ups inside the drain cause blocks. You can find other ways to recycle the old or used oil instead.
● Be sure to use a strainer or plug the drain of your kitchen sink. It will catch the food waste, which is one of the reasons why drains block frequently.
● When you use the garbage disposal, be sure to run the water until all the foods are ground up. It flushes everything away and doesn’t cause a blockage.
● Pour hot water down the drains once a week. It will dissolve grease, soap scum, and other materials that can clog the drain.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What to put down the toilet to clean pipes?
For minor clogs, consider taking one scoop of baking soda and pour down the toilet. If the clog is tough, you need to pour half a cup of baking soda and vinegar into the toilet. Let the mixture work for a few hours. Then pour hot water into the toilet.
2. What can I pour down my bathtub drain to unclog it?
There are a few ways to try to unclog your bathtub drain. You can use a drain claw, baking soda with vinegar, toilet plunger, cleaning strainers, and commercial chemical drain cleaners.
3. Is Liquid Plumr better than Drano?
Liquid Plumr is formulated to cut through standing water with ease and drain the clogs to freely flow the water. However, Drano claims to be 50% thicker than Liquid Plumr, but there aren’t many differences when it comes to active ingredients that both these cleaners have.
4. Is liquid Drano bad for your pipes?
Drano is formulated to dissolve anything that causes clogs in the pipes. Using Drano single time will not do any damage to your pipes. However, it’s still recommended not to use Drano in the toilet.
5. What happens if you leave Liquid Plumr in too long?
If you leave Liquid Plumr for a long period or use it more frequently, it can deteriorate the pipes and septic system in the long run. This chemical is corrosive; thus, you should also use it to its minimum to reduce damage.
After you get drain cleaner, make sure you always wear protective gloves before you pour the chemical into the drains. Don’t let the liquid conduct with your skin and keep it farthest away from kids and pets.