Hello!

The shower drain is always getting clogged up, and no matter how much hair I clear out of it it’s still getting clogged. I don’t feel good about using anything that could potentially harm the environment so I was wondering if anyone knows of a nicer way of doing it? Thanks.


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  • If you use boiling water be careful you don’t crack the tiles. It would make sure there is some water around the drain first. I saved an old toothbrush. Depending on the size of the gaps between the “strips”/ size of holes in it, I gently push the bristles part through it and when you bring them up you may get a fair bit of the hair out. repeat a few times Carb Soda or washing soda with white vinegar or very hot water will help clean the drain of cleanser/soap/shampoo residue. It may also be a problem that the plumbers have let lumps of glue, grout, cement etc. down it during house construction or fitting the bathroom out. I’ve had experiences with 2 houses, one being the bathroom and the other in outside plumbing. If any of you are handy at fixing things, if you go to a good hardware store, e.g. Bunnings there is a special rubber suction tool that you put over the top of drains that you use that may clear it. Their staff are experts when it comes to telling you how it fix such problems if they are only minor. If one of them can’t tell you how to do it they will usually find another one who can. We were even advised how to clean mould and grime off a 90 year old headstone.


  • Have a look in your supermarket for any Earth products.
    They are environmentally friendly.
    You could also google other home remedies but if the problem persists call a plumber.
    Best of luck.


  • Great answers! I’ll be doing the bicarb and vinegar trick myself!


  • Went to write ‘my’ bi carb and vinegar trick then thought I’d better check the other responses first lol and the others have this query well covered.


  • Pouring bicarbonate and vinegar down the drain is probably the easiest and quickest way to freshen up a smelly drain!


  • sounds like the damage is further down the drain pipe, u may need a plumber


  • Bicarb and vinegar may be effective


  • First remove all the hair an then use a small brush for scrubbing and try and remove the built up gunk. Then pour in a cup of bicarb followed by a cup of white vinegar, this will froth. Leave for about ten minutes, then follow with a jug of boiling water. Can repeat again if you want. Usually is effective and leaves a nice smell.


  • Remove as much hair as you can manually with a gloved hand. Then I lift out the actual top grid of the shower drain with the help of a skewer then give that a jolly good clean with an old toothbrush and very hot soapy water. I then pour a great heap of boiling water that has some vinegar in it down the actual drain. You can also scrub down the drain with a brush or old bottle brush prior to flushing with the water! Works like a charm. Dispose of gloves and toothbrush after use!


  • A kettle full of boiling water is good for flushing out drains.


  • defenentaly like the bi carb soda and viniger idea, but i also give it a scrub with a old tooth brush just to get the sticky black bits out.


  • Yep I agree with the other mom members as well. Bi-carb and Vinegar and a plunger as well.
    Also may I suggest a visit to good old Bunnings and see if you could possibly get a cover to fit over the drain to catch the hair. BEST OF LUCK.


  • The most basic drain cleaner is mixing baking soda and vinegar and pouring it down the drain. The carbon dioxide air bubbles scrub the inside of the pipe, and the expanding air is supposed to push blockages down the pipe.


  • I would pour down some bicarbonate and let it sit for a few minutes before adding some white vinegar and let it do it’s thing!
    I tend to unclog ours periodically using a simple plunger. Easiest done when the water is running so I do whilst showering. Good luck!


  • Hubby bought a product that sits in the top of the drain and has a flap so that water flows in and then the flap shuts so that no smell comes out You don’t need any chemicals then and you install/remove it yourself by just pushing it in/out. Great for rentals as it won’t affect your bond


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