When it comes to shower drains, hair can be the number one cause for clogs. For that reason, it’s a good thing there are some simple tricks you can try to clear your shower drain in no time.
Most people turn to strong chemical cleaners to clear up drain problems in the shower, but there are alternative solutions that will be much less damaging to your pipes.
Start by straightening the body of a wire coat hanger and bending the hook, so it fits down the drain. Next, stretch out a paperclip. Put on some rubber gloves and remove the drain strainer, if possible. Pickup and throw away any hair from the top of the shower drain with your fingers.
Run tub water, until about four inches fill the tub and the clogged drain begins to empty slowly. Use a plunger to plunge the shower drain. This will bring the hair closer to the top of the drain, allowing for easier removal. Let the remaining water empty down the drain. If there is any hair near the top of the drain, remove it with your fingers.
Take the hanger and put the hook-end into the shower drain. Move it around to catch any hair in the drain opening. Remove and discard the hair.
Put the hanger in the drain a second time, but try to push it carefully down the pipe as far as it can reach without letting go of it. Twist or move the hanger in a circular motion to catch any hair. Clean off any hair caught on the hanger.
If necessary, use the paperclip to catch any hair that is caught on the top of the shower drain or the strainer. If the shower drain is still clogged, pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. After waiting for two minutes, pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. After waiting 20 minutes, pour plenty of boiling water down the drain. Try the hanger steps again.
{photo by godber}
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