You have all been there – spending hours trying to unclog the drain pipe in your shower. Yet, the nasty hair refuses to simply wash down with water. So bring in the plunger and get to work. Time goes by but the hair situation is still out of control.
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While you are at it, some home remedies also come to mind. Something to do with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda is supposed to break the stubborn strands of hair. But it does not work either. Maybe, simplicity is the key. So you pour boiling water down the drain hoping it will take the stuck hair along with it. Instead, you end up spilling some of the burning water on your foot. Ouch!
When everything else fails, you give up and send out a distress signal. Promptly, a professional plumber answers your call and finally fixes up the shower drain. But this help is no charity – calling a professional means spending loads of money. The sad part is, you know that the shower drain will get clogged up with hair again in the future, leading to more loss of money. Can you do anything about it?
Well actually, you can. The American drain cleaner brand Drano is what you have been looking for.
What is Drano?
Drano is a brand of drain cleaner produced by S.C. Johnson & Son. This invention was the brainchild of Harry Drackett, who created it in the year 1923.
The active ingredients in Drano that make it so effective include Sodium hydroxide, Aluminum Shards, Sodium Chloride and Sodium Nitrate. When added to water, a series of chemical reactions occur which have the capability to dissolve organic matter, like hair. The heat of this reaction can destroy your drains so you have to be careful when you use it. This is also why some plumbers don’t recommend it.
Since its conception, Drano has released a chain of products to suit different requirements. Some of their popular products include – Drano Kitchen Granules Clog Remover, Drano Max Gel Clog remover. Other products include – Drano Liquid Drain Cleaner, Drano Dual Force Foamer Clog Remover, Drano Max Build-up Remover, and Drano Advance Septic Treatment.
To understand how Drano dissolves hair, please continue reading.
Will Drano Dissolve Hair?
In a gist, yes Drano can dissolve hair and other organic matter. Any type of soft matter like grease and scum build-up can be easily tackled with the help of Drano. Within a span of 30 minutes, Drano can clear up clogged kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, shower drains and garbage disposals.
This is why Drano has received wide acclaim from various reliable sources. In the year 2020, Drano Max Gel Clog Remover was hailed as the Best Overall Drain Cleaner by several magazines.
The most impressive quality about Drano, as noted by these critics, is its ability to dissolve clogs even in standing water. While it does sound magical, please note that Drano has its limitations. Certain kinds of clogs will inevitably require professional assistance. But in most cases, Drano works like a charm. Toward the end of this article, you will also learn some tips on keeping your drain pipes clear.
Given that Drano is quite strong, it is important to use gloves and other protective equipment. This makes sure that you stay safe while using this product.
How Does Drano Work?
To understand how Drano works in dissolving hair, you should know a little about the types of drain cleaners. Caustic, acidic, and enzymatic are the three types of drain cleaners available in the market. Each tackles the problem of clogged pores in its own way.
For those looking for a milder cleaner that does not use strong chemicals, enzymatic cleaner is the way to go. This cleaner uses real live bacteria which slowly eats away the organic clog. Depending on the brand, this method may consume more time while being less effective on more stubborn clogs.
The next category of drain cleaners includes caustic and acidic cleaners. These cleaners make use of harsh chemicals like acid or sodium hydroxide to get the job done. Since it contains sodium hydroxide and lye, Drano is a caustic drain cleaner.
Using the unique combination of its ingredients, Drano quickly dissolves the clog. This way the nasty clog falls off the pipe, freeing up the drain. When it comes to dissolving hair, Drano has come up with a product specifically for this purpose.
The product is called Drano Hair Buster Gel. Simply pour this drain cleaner into the clogged shower drain and allow it to work its magic for around 30 minutes. If your drain is severely clogged you can wash down the drain cleaner after 30 minutes and then reapply. Allow it to sit for half an hour more to unclog the drain.
Preventing Drain Clogs
While Drano does a remarkable job in dissolving clogged hair, it is best to practice some cleanliness to prevent clogging altogether. You can take the following measures to prevent your drain pipes from clogging:
- Brushing Before Shower – When you dry brush your hair, you remove all the loose hair strands. This will minimize the amount of hair that flows into the shower sink.
- Remove the Visible Hair – Hair fall is a natural process. Even while shampooing, your scalp will let go of some hair strands as you rub it. Do not panic. An average human can lose up to 100 strands a day. What you can do instead is collect the hair strands on your hands and keep them on the wash basin. This way you can reduce the amount of hair that goes into the shower drain.
- Invest in a Strainer – Similar to the kitchen strainer for your sink, invest in a shower drain strainer. This means you will have to clean up after every shower. 30 seconds of cleaning every day is better than a nasty, costly clog once in a while.
- Clean the Tub – You do not need to scrub the dirt in your tub every day. But make it a weekly practice. Often, your hair gets mixed up with the dirt and slime already present in your tub, creating a slimy mixture. Avoid it by maintaining a regular cleaning practice.
It is important to note that Drano can’t be used in toilets.
While there are better solutions such as using a plunger, Drano can work in some instances and people like the convenience that it offers. Plumbers generally prefer other solutions but Drano can remove hair clogs in your drains.
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