Clean a Clogged Shower Drain with Common Home Items

Clean a Clogged Shower Drain with Common Home Items

Feeling Frustrated by a Sluggish Shower Drain? Here's a Simple Solution!

Nothing ruins a warm, relaxing shower quite like a drain that won't drain. Regularly neglecting your shower's piping system can lead to all sorts of problems—from odors to clogs and even minor plumbing issues. But fear not! With a bit of routine maintenance and the right tools, you can keep your shower drain sparkling clean and unclogged.

Here's a simple guide to help you clean your shower drain, whether you're dealing with a pesky clog or just looking to prevent issues before they arise.

Why It's Important to Maintain Your Shower Drain

Shower drains collect more than just water. They're magnets for hair, soap scum, conditioner residue, and random odds and ends (like stray bobby pins). Over time, this mix can result in blockages, unpleasant odors, and even minor plumbing inconveniences. Cleaning professional Dawn Arias-Spinelli of Kleaner Image advises weekly maintenance and a monthly deep clean to keep your drain fresh and clog-free.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Shower Drain

To keep your shower drain clean and odor-free, a bit of regular TLC is all it takes. Here's what quick, gentle cleaning might look like:

** Materials Needed:**

• Rubber gloves (optional)
• Drain snake
• Boiling water
• Mild dish soap or all-purpose cleaner
• Soft scrub brush (or old toothbrush)

** Instructions:**

1. Remove visible debris. Throw on a pair of rubber gloves if you want to protect your hands (drains can hold some gross stuff!). Lift off the drain cover if it's removable, and remove any noticeable hair or grime.
2. Use a drain snake. Slip a simple drain snake into the drain, maneuvering it around while gently working it downwards and in a circular motion. Pull it out from the drain and clear it of hair and soap scum.
3. Flush with boiling water. Carefully pour boiling water down the drain. This can help loosen and rinse away remaining soap scum and buildup. (Note: Skip this step if you have PVC pipes—check your plumbing's material and any applicable heat capacities.)
4. Scrub the drain's surface. Using a soft-bristled scrub brush or an old toothbrush, scrub the drain's surface with a dish soap and water solution or an all-purpose cleaner. Rinse away any soapy residue.

Invest in an inexpensive drain cover to help catch hair and debris before they reach the drain. Heavy conditioners and oil-based skin and hair treatments can also build up in drains over time. After using these products, flush the drain with hot water to help wash them away and prevent future clogs.

Deep Cleaning Your Shower Drain

If water is draining slowly or you've noticed an odor, there might be a buildup in your shower drain that needs to be removed via a thorough deep clean. Even if your shower is draining just fine, it's still recommended that you perform a deep clean about once a month to prevent future issues.

When the time comes, reach for household staples: baking soda and vinegar. Together, these two household heroes will help deodorize and scrub the drain clear of stubborn clogs.

Materials Needed:

• Rubber gloves (optional)
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Drain snake
• Boiling water
• Mild dish soap
• Soft scrub brush (or old toothbrush)

** Instructions:**

1. Remove debris with a drain snake. Take off the drain cover if it's removable and clear the drain of any visible debris. Then, use the drain snake to remove already-loosened hair and gunk.
2. Run the hot water. Let the water run for about a minute or two to help loosen clogs.
3. Pour in your DIY cleaning mixture. Pour around 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drain. Follow it up with 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
4. Let sit. Cover the drain with a cleaning cloth, old bowl, or similar item to maximize the cleaning benefits of this dynamic duo. Leave it to sit for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Flush with hot or boiling water. After the mixture has done its job, flush away any clogs and the cleaning solution by pouring hot or boiling water down the drain.
6. Scrub the drain. Use a scrub brush or old toothbrush and a mild dish soap solution to wipe away any remaining grime.
7. Final rinse. Rinse away any remaining residue.

Pro tips

• Maintenance: Repeat monthly to prevent buildup.
• Tough clogs: For particularly stubborn blockages, let the baking soda-vinegar mixture sit overnight before rinsing.
• Limescale: Soak the drain cover in a vinegar-baking soda paste before scrubbing to tackle mineral deposits.

This method avoids harsh chemicals while effectively clearing most organic clogs.

1. Regular maintenance and a monthly deep clean are recommended by cleaning professional Dawn Arias-Spinelli of Kleaner Image to keep a shower drain fresh and clog-free.
2. To clean a shower drain, one can use materials such as a drain snake, boiling water, mild dish soap, a soft scrub brush, and baking soda and vinegar for deep cleaning.
3. A simple guide to cleaning a shower drain includes removing visible debris, using a drain snake, flushing with boiling water, scrubbing the drain's surface, and installing an inexpensive drain cover to catch hair and debris before they reach the drain.
4. If the water is draining slowly or there is an odor, a deep clean using the mixture of baking soda and vinegar may be necessary to remove buildup in the shower drain.
5. Proper maintenance can help prevent unpleasant odors, blockages, and minor plumbing inconveniences in the bathroom and improve overall lifestyle and home-and-garden maintenance.

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