We can all agree that dealing with a clogged toilet can be quite annoying. Nobody wants to waste all day trying to unclog the toilet or shower, right? Therefore, an ideal solution to this problem is a drain cleaner. While quick and simple to use, they can be quite effective at clearing your drain.
You might have already tried using them before, in fact, some work much than others. To save you from picking the wrong one ever again, we’ve identified 6 of the best drain cleaners for clogged toilets you can find in 2023. In addition to these recommendations, we’ll also provide you with a brief buying guide to help you find the perfect product for you!
Page Contents
Our Top Picks
| › | Rid-X Septic Tank Treatment | |
| › | Green Gobbler Clog Remover | |
| › | Budget Friendly: | CLR Drain Cleaner |
Different Types of Drain Cleaners
Another factor to keep in mind when considering a drain cleaner is which type to select. The 3 most common types you can find nowadays are caustic, oxidizing, and acidic cleaners.
1. Caustic Cleaners
Caustic drain cleaner contain lye substances and caustic potash. The hydroxide ions of these two bases create the chemical reaction that effectively clears the clogs. Their alkaline or basic chemicals emit heat, turning the grease into a liquid substance.
2. Oxidizing Cleaners
Oxidizing cleaners contain substances such as household bleach, nitrates, and peroxides. They cause the organic material clogging the drain to oxidize and lose electrons. As they are heavier than water, they easily move through the water, releasing gas and heat.
3. Acidic Cleaners
The most common type of cleaners is acidic cleaners. This type can be found at almost any store, and is the most commonly bought option by plumbers. Acidic cleaners are so popular thanks to the high concentrations of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, which work well to clear drains.
Comparisons of Toilte Drain Cleaners
Review of the 6 Best Drain Cleaners for Clogged Toilets
1. Rid-X Septic Tank Treatment Enzymes – Review Champion
- State of Matter: Powder
- Item Weight: 3.2 ounces
- Brand: Rid-X
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The biggest advantage of this product is that there is no complicated cleaning, waiting, or mixing. All you need to do is put the Rid-X packet into your toilet and flush. Using Rid-X once a month helps prevent grease build-up and maintain a good balance of bacteria in your septic tank.
- Works quickly and effectively to clean your drains
- The trustworthy brand with years of product experience
- Keeps a healthy balance of bacteria in your plumbing
- Price continues to increase, making it an expensive option
Summary of Recent Reviews
Customers who followed the provided directions were happy with the unclogging power of this option. Several buyers always have this in their home as a standby. Buyers recognize that this may be a slightly more expensive option but state that it’s worth the cost.
2. Green Gobbler Liquid Hair & Grease Clog Remover – Editor’s Choice
- State of Matter: Liquid
- Item Weight: 4.88 pounds
- Brand: Green Gobbler
Aside from the fact that it is safe to use in tubs, toilets, and pipes, you can also use this particular cleaner in sinks and showers. We especially love that this cleaner is much safer to use than most traditional cleaners such as sodium hydroxide, and it’s both non-flammable and odorless.
- No chemical smell like you may get with other brands
- Safer than most traditional cleaners
- Took care of drain issues that other products couldn’t fix
- Needs at least 2 hours to work, time where you can’t utilize your drain
Summary of Recent Reviews
Buyers shared that this drain cleaner worked effectively on most clogs! One user tried this after many other attempts prior to calling a plumber and it did the trick. “I truly couldn’t believe how well it worked!” Customers also shared that there is no unpleasant chemical smell with this solution.
3. CLR Drain Cleaner – Budget Friendly
- State of Matter: Liquid
- Item Weight: 2.63 pounds
- Brand: CLR
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CLR can be used in drains, showers, sinks, toilets, and garbage disposals. This product is safe for people, pets, and the environment. Plus, it is also EPA-certified, meaning that it’s a certified safer alternative to chemicals and doesn’t contain any ammonia, bleach, or phosphates.
- EPA-certified formula, containing no phosphates, ammonia or bleach
- Quite effective in clearing out drains
- Preventative product to minimize future clogs
- May take multiple treatments to work
Summary of Recent Reviews
While there were some mentions of this product being ineffective, most buyers were happy with the results. “The sink in my bathroom has been slow draining for a couple of weeks now, and after one treatment the problem is fixed.” Buyers mentioned that this also resolves foul-smelling drains.
4. Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover
- State of Matter: Liquid
- Item Weight: 4 pounds
- Brand: Drano
Drano Max Clog Remover is quite effective when it comes to removing soap scum, hair, and other types of clogs. However, this product does contain sodium hydroxide and some other dangerous chemicals.
Therefore, if you don’t already have experience using them, we recommend looking for a safer alternative. You can also use a less strong cleaner for less serious drains to help minimize chemical use for your pipes.
- Powerful formula that will quickly unclog the drain after treatment
- Safe to use on PVC pipes
- Drano is a well known, trust-worthy brand
- Requires a large amount, upwards of half a bottle, per treatment
Summary of Recent Reviews
Buyers were happy to find this product after failed attempts with other drain cleaners. Some users had to run multiple treatments to fully unclog their drains but they were happy with the results. Follow the instructions and you’re sure to have success.
5. Liquid-Plumr Hair Clog Eliminator
- State of Matter: Liquid
- Item Weight: 1.31 pounds
- Brand: Liquid-Plumr
One of the most common reasons your drain clogs is because of hair, which can be especially stubborn and difficult to remove. Thankfully, Liquid-Plumr Eliminator is formulated specifically to break down even the toughest hair clogs.
Liquid Plumr contains 70% more active ingredients to clear any slow-running or blocked drain with only one use. Beyond bathtubs and showers, this hair clog eliminator can also be used in kitchen and bathroom sinks. It is safe for all types of pipes and septic systems, including metal, PVC, and plastic.
However, it isn’t so effective when used on garbage disposals or toilets, so we recommend selecting an alternative product if you aren’t planning on using Liquid Plumr for a shower or sink drain.
- Safe to use, with no noticable chemical smell
- Destroys even the most stubborn hair clogs, even with one application
- When used per the instructions, works quickly
- Not as effective at removing toilet clogs
Summary of Recent Reviews
This is a powerful cleaner against hair according to buyers! “I followed the instructions, and within 15 minutes my tub was draining again.” Multiple users mention it doesn’t work great for toilets, but it works well for hair clogs, even clogs they’ve been dealing with for months.
6. Ultimate Main Drain Opener
- State of Matter: Liquid
- Item Weight: 5 pounds
- Brand: Green Gobbler
Furthermore, you don’t have to wait a couple of hours or overnight for this product to work. The Ultimate Main Drain Opener liquifies and unclogs drains in just a few minutes. Plus, this cleaner is safe to use on showers, sinks, tubs, and toilets. It’s also non-corrosive, helping prevent any long-term damage to your pipes.
- Non-corrosive formula won’t harm your pipes
- Very fast and effective at clearing out the most stubborn clogs
- Safe for showers, sinks, tubs and toilets
- More expensive than some options
Summary of Recent Reviews
This powerful drain cleaner was a lifesaver for many customers. Some were able to successfully use this product as a last resort before calling an expensive plumber. “All I can say is “wow!” Drains running fast, horrible smell gone. All issues resolved!”
Buyer Guide for Unclogging Drain Cleaners
In case you’re having trouble deciding between the different options we’ve recommended, or you want to look for some additional choices, here is a brief buying guide to help you pick the perfect cleaner for you.
Overall, there are 4 main criteria to keep in mind:
1. Drain Cleaners – How They Work
Before we get too deep into the details, it is important that you understand how they typically work. Overall, they contain either liquid or powder chemicals that actually dissolve the obstructing material causing your clogged drain. Depending on the chemicals used, drain cleaners can work more quickly, fix more powerful clogs, but also be more unsafe, so it’s important to consider a balance of strong but safe chemicals for your cleaner.
2. Type of Clogs
Different ons work on different types of clogs. Some may be more effective than others, depending on what is causing the clog in the first place. Therefore, you must always make sure that the cleaner you are planning to buy is appropriate for what’s causing the clog.
Most of the time, drain cleaners for clogged toilets are designed to dissolve hair, grease, paper, soap scum, kitchen waste, or other organic materials. However, if some object is causing the clog, a toy, for instance, these are not the right solution. Therefore, double-check your cleaner will work to dissolve the substance blocking your drain and you should have no trouble.
3. Time Of Exposure
Another important factor to keep in mind when buying a drain cleaner is the time of exposure. Some cleaners can take up to a couple of hours to break down the clog, while others can do the same thing within minutes. Especially if you’re planning on using a safer, lower-chemical option, be prepared to need to wait longer for the product to work.
4. System Compatibility
Finally, it’s crucial that the one you buy lines up with the type of drain you’re hoping to clear. Sometimes, they have a high amount of chemicals that can ruin the drainage system. Therefore, make sure the cleaner you pick clearly states that it can be used for the pipe material you need. Some cleaners work with just metal, others can be used on PVC pipes, and some can be used on multiple materials. Just be careful to pick a cleaner that’s compatible with your system to avoid any additional damage or issues.
Safety Concerns
As we’ve mentioned, some drain cleaners contain harsh and dangerous chemicals and thus, it is important that you know how to use them properly. Please keep these safety concerns in mind when selecting and using a chemical product:
- Follow the instructions – No matter what, you must always stick to the instructions provided with the product. For example, one detail most manufacturers mention is keeping the room well-ventilated while using their product. If the room isn’t well-ventilated, you could end up inhaling chemicals directly, which can be harmful for your health. Additionally, never leave the cleaner inside your drains for longer than stated.
- Wear protection & pour carefully – Always wear eye protection and gloves when pouring. If the drain cleaner you use contains dangerous chemicals and happens to splash out while pouring, it could burn your skin or eyes. Therefore, pour slowly and carefully to avoid spilling, and wear protective gear to be extra safe.
- Don’t combine products – Never mix them with other cleaning products, not even with homemade cleaners. Because of the different chemicals used in drain cleaners, mixing substances could cause a chemical reaction, which can create toxic gas or even cause an explosion. Always follow the package instructions and only use one cleaner at a time to avoid any unexpected issues.
- Always flush the drain – Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to flush the drain after using them. After allowing the cleaner to sit for the recommended time, flushing will clear away the dissolved materials as well as any remaining cleaner to leave you with a working toilet once more!
Our Bottom Line
Drain cleaners for clogged toilets are definitely something you want to have in your home. Although they may not be able to destroy clogs caused by solid objects, they do an amazing job of dissolving grease, hair, soap, and other common organic materials. If you are looking for a great quality-to-price ratio, the Green Gobbler Liquid Hair & Grease remover makes a great choice. It is much safer than other traditional cleaners and it is completely odorless.
On the other hand, if you need a drain cleaner that can break down clogs more quickly, the Rid-X Septic Tank Treatment Enzymes cleaner is a perfect choice. It keeps a healthy balance of bacteria in your pipes and even helps prevent clogs from recurring.