How to Clean a Shower Drain?

What you need

• Gloves
• A screwdriver (if the cover is screwed in)
• Baking soda and white vinegar
• Boiling water
• A drain snake or bent wire hanger (for stubborn clogs)

Step-by-step

1. Remove the drain cover. Unscrew or pry it off.
2. Pull out visible debris. Wearing gloves, remove hair and gunk by hand, with tweezers, or with a plastic drain-cleaning tool. This alone fixes most slow drains.
3. Snake deeper clogs. Push a drain snake or bent wire hanger down to hook and pull out anything further inside.
4. Pour in baking soda and vinegar. Add about ½ cup of baking soda, then 1 cup of white vinegar. It will fizz — let it work for 10–15 minutes to break down grease and deodorize.
5. Flush with boiling water. Slowly pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to wash everything through. (Use hot, not boiling, water on PVC pipes.)
6. Replace the cover.

Prevention: A cheap drain hair-catcher screen and a monthly baking-soda-and-vinegar flush will keep it clear. Avoid regular use of chemical drain cleaners, which can damage pipes over time.

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More in this cluster: Cleaning & Stain Removal. You can also go to the homepage and type a new question.