Drano is marketed as a reliable, affordable solution for clogged drains, that does not cause septic tank problems. But how does Drano work?

For tough clogs, a mixture of baking soda and salt will help break apart any globs found in your drain. Mix half a cup each of baking soda and salt and pour down the drain. Let this mixture sit for at least 30 minutes, but the longer it can sit (such as overnight), the better. Dump a pot of boiling water down the drain until the clog is cleared. Hire a Pro to Clean Your Drain In Good Housekeeping’s list of the best drain cleaners, Liquid-Plumr ranked as the best drain cleaner for hair clogs. Drano Max Gel ranked as the number one best overall drain cleaner. Time to give a little thought to your hardworking sewer drain Does Liquid Drain Cleaner Really Work?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 — yes, you need to use the whole bottle — 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. To determine the clog type, remove the drain cover (if present) and inspect the drain opening with a flashlight. Clogs near the opening can be identified as hair, paper, etc. Sodium Hydroxide: It helps the formula clean better by adjusting the pH and stabilizing the product. It also helps dissolve organic matter in drain clogs.

Liquid Plumr is a chemical drain opener produced by Clorox. It contains 0.5-2% sodium hydroxide and 5-10% sodium hypochlorite, plus a surfactant. Both Liquid-Plumr and Drano are chemical cleaners, so they work in a similar manner; however, the exact ingredients differ. The best time to use a liquid drain cleaner is before the clog gets too bad, meaning when you first notice the drain working more slowly. This will help break apart any hair, grease, or dirt that is starting to become a problem before it becomes massive. Pros of Liquid Drain Cleaners Even if you buy a new home, there will be a time when you will need to clean your drains. It takes around 6 months for a sink to require drain cleaning. There are multiple methods for cleaning your drains:Using natural enzymes that digest clog-causing proteins, Bio-Clean’s powder drain cleaner safely cleans and maintains pipes, drains, and septic systems. The Bio-Clean formula includes no harsh or dangerous chemicals, making it safe for pipes and skin. This natural cleaner can get rid of hair clogs and liquefy some paper products. There are two basic types of drain cleaners: natural (enzymatic) and chemical (caustic or acidic). From there, they can come in several forms including liquid, gel, foam, powder, or crystals. Chemical cleaners are highly effective, but they're formulated with harsher ingredients such as sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid, which may cause some damage to pipes if used incorrectly or too frequently. Enzymatic cleaners are formulated with natural bacteria, which makes them safe for the environment but slower to unclog drains than chemical cleaners.

Since this drain cleaner comes in the form of a naturally derived powder, it might take a few tries (or even a few days) to fully restore the flow of your clogged drain. But with monthly maintenance treatments, you'll likely notice that slow-running drains aren't a problem anymore. Like other natural enzymatic drain cleaners, this product is safe to use in bathrooms, kitchens, grease traps, septic systems, garbage disposals, and even kitty litter pans. While this drain cleaner is on the pricier side, each canister has enough product for up to 100 chemical-free treatments. With time, baking soda and vinegar may work as a natural drain cleaner on weaker drain clogs, and the benefits of regular drain cleaning can help keep your drains free of clogs. For best results, we recommend using 1/2 of our 32-ounce bottle or 1/5 of our 80-ounce bottle for every clog problem.Both brands are a part of major corporations. Clorox, the leading bleach manufacturer, owns Liquid-Plumr, and S. C. Johnson & Son, the family-owned consumer goods giant, owns Drano. Bottom Line: Should You Buy Liquid-Plumr or Drano? However, renovate the plumbing system of a house or use a liquid plumr often to get rid of clogs. Can I use Liquid-Plumr in my toilet? Generally, we chose drain cleaners with short working times, though we gave enzymatic products some leeway in this category because they are environmentally friendly, safe for septic systems, and won’t damage plumbing. So, if you’re wondering which drain cleaner is “better,” rest assured knowing both are effective. What Others Are Saying Use caustic or acidic cleaners only in well-ventilated rooms. Turn on exhaust fans and/or open windows to increase air circulation.

Plug your drain and leave this mixture sit in your sink drain for an hour. When you unplug your sink, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to loosen up the clog. Continue doing this until your drain is working properly again. Baking Soda and SaltThis may happen when a partially dissolved clog gets lodged further down the pipe. We recommend trying another dose of this product. However, if the problem continues to persist, you should call a plumber as there are some plumbing situations that even Liquid-Plumr cannot fix. Just consider the application before using this product to clear up any old drain issue. "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 of the Good Housekeeping Institute. 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. Baking soda and vinegar can serve as a natural solution to unclog and clean a stinky drain. Ready for the science behind how it works? While this drain cleaner shouldn’t be used in toilets, it’s suitable for garbage disposals and septic systems. Follow the directions to avoid any possible accidents, such as switching on the disposal too soon, which can cause drain cleaner to spray out. This product also can be used in standing water to clear clogs and get the wastewater flowing into the septic system or to the municipal sewer system again.