How to Get Hair Out of Your Shower or Bathtub Drain

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Keep your shower clog-free with this handy guide
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If a hair-clogged drain is turning your shower into a bath, it’s time to take action. You can pour boiling water or baking soda and vinegar down the drain to dissolve the hair or use a coat hanger hook or a drain snake to break up the clog. We interviewed professional plumbers James Schuelke and David Balkin to find the best at-home methods to remove hair from a shower or bathtub drain. We’ll also cover how to prevent hair from going down your drain so you won’t have to unclog it anytime soon!

Getting Hair Out of a Shower Drain

Pour 1 cup (128 grams) baking soda down the drain, then pour 1 cup (240 mL) distilled white vinegar. Let the mixture fix and bubble for 15 minutes while it dissolves the hair. Heat a pot or kettle of boiling water and pour it down the drain to flush the baking soda, vinegar, hair, and other grime from your pipes.

Method 1
Method 1 of 10:

Using Boiling Water

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  1. This is the easiest way to take care of a hair-clogged shower or bathtub drain. [1] Fill a tea kettle or pot with water and bring it to a boil. Slowly pour the water down the drain, giving the hot liquid time to move through the hair and melt the grease that’s holding the clog together. [2]
    • Wait 15 minutes, then run the shower to see if the water runs freely down the drain. If the clog is still there, try one of the other methods below.
    • For larger clogs, you may need to use a large pot or multiple tea kettles full of boiling water.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 10:

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

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  1. Carefully pour 1 cup (128 grams) baking soda down the drain, then chase it with 1 cup (240 mL) of distilled white vinegar. The drain should start bubbling and fizzing, dissolving the hair, grease, and dirt clogging the pipes. [3]
    • Optionally, use a funnel to make sure all the baking soda goes under the drain guard.
    • Mix the baking soda with ½ cup of table salt and heat up the vinegar for extra cleaning power. [4]
  2. Heat a pot or kettle of boiling water, then pour it down the drain to flush the baking soda, vinegar, and dissolved hair from your pipes. [5]
    • Wait another 15 minutes, then turn on the water. If the water still pools in your tub, try another method.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 10:

Using a Vacuum

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  1. Professional plumber James Schuelke says to “take the drain cover off the shower, and you literally put the [wet] vacuum hose right up against the drain and turn the vacuum on.” [6]
    • To remove the drain guard or cover, unscrew it or pry it up using a flathead screwdriver and a pair of pliers. [7]
    • Schuelke says “That will extract all of the organic matter, hair, soap scum, all of that, that literally will just take everything out of there.” [8]
    • After you’re done, put the drain guard back on and run the water. If the water doesn’t flow smoothly down the drain, try another method.
Method 4
Method 4 of 10:

Using Your Hand

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  1. Plumber David Balkan says “balls of hair or other debris” might be at the top of your drain and all you need to do is “put a pair of rubber gloves on and pull it right out.” [9] Twist, screw off, or pry up the drain guard, then reach into the drain and try to pull anything you can see out of it. [10]
    • Use a flashlight to spot the clog if you can’t see it immediately.
    • Optionally, use pliers or tweezers to remove the hair.
    • You can also use a chopstick, fork, or long screwdriver to grab the hair. Twirl the tool slightly as you pull the hair out of the drain and repeat until the pathway is clear.
    • Replace the drain guard and run the water. If your shower or bathtub drain is still clogged, try a different method.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 10:

Using a Coat Hanger Hook

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  1. Use your hands to bend a wire hanger as flat and straight as you can. Make a small curl at one end of the hanger that can fit into the drain. [11]
    • You may need to wear work gloves to give you enough traction to bend the wire.
    • It doesn’t matter if there are a few slight bends in the hanger. Just try to bend the center part as straight as you can so it can fit down the drain.
    • Optionally, bend the other end of the hanger into a half-square shape you can use as a twisting handle. [12]
  2. Unscrew the drain guard, twist it counterclockwise, or pry it up with a flathead screwdriver. If you find a screw underneath, unscrew that too. Push the hook end of the wire into the drain until you feel resistance. Fish the hook under the hair blockage and pull it up. [13]
    • If you have a shower and tub combination, you might be able to take out the drain guard by pushing it down and twisting it to the left.
    • Carefully move the wire up and down through the blockage to collect as much hair as possible.
    • The hanger shouldn’t get stuck on anything, but if it does, push it back down, wiggle it, and try pulling it out again.
  3. This can help flush out any leftover hair or grime in the drain. Sprinkle 1 cup (128 grams) baking soda into the drain, then pour 1 cup (240 mL) white vinegar. Let it fizz for 15 minutes before flushing the drain with a pot or kettle of boiling water. [14]
    • Alternatively, just pour a kettle or pot full of boiling water directly down the drain.
    • After you’re done, reattach the drain guard. Turn on the shower—if the water doesn’t flow down the drain, try another unclogging method.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 10:

Using a Drain Snake or Auger

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  1. Twist, unscrew, or pry the guard off the drain. Insert the end of a plastic drain snake or metal auger into the drain pipe until it won’t move any further. [15] When you feel resistance, you’ve hit the clog.
    • If you have a tub and shower combination, try pressing the guard down and twisting it to the left to remove it.
    • Wear safety glasses and rubber gloves while handling an auger or drain snake to protect yourself from debris and standing water that may splash up. [16]
  2. Rotate the plastic drain snake or crank the metal auger’s handle counterclockwise to break up the clog. Continue to crank and push the auger or snake down until you don’t feel resistance anymore. Slowly pull the snake or auger out of the drain and dispose of the hair. [17]
    • If your tool gets stuck, wiggle it up, down, and side to side until it comes out easily.
    • Plastic drain snakes are meant to only be used once, while metal augers can be reused.
  3. Turn the hot water tap on full force and rinse out the drain for about a minute to make sure the drain is clear. [18] You might see bits of grime and debris come out of the drain. Once the drain is clear, put the drain guard back on.
    • If you see large globs of hair rise to the surface, pull them out with your hands and discard them.
    • If the drain is still clogged, use a second drain snake or try a different method.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 10:

Using a Plunger

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  1. Fill the shower or tub with enough water to cover the lip of the plunger cup. Place the plunger so the cup covers the drain opening and push it up and down for a few minutes. [19] The force of the pressurized water can push the hair clog through the drain. [20]
    • If you have a drain with standing water on top of it, Balkan says that a “good old typical plunger works well” to unclog it. [21]
    • Optionally, flush out the drain with a pot or kettle of boiling water.
    • Put the drain guard back on and turn on the water. If the clog is still there, try again or use a different method.
Method 8
Method 8 of 10:

Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

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  1. Shower drain cleaners are easy to use—all you need to do is open the bottle and pour it down the drain. Most hair and grime clogs will disappear in 10 to 15 minutes. However, chemical cleaners can be environmentally harmful and can weaken PVC and old metal pipes. [22]
    • Enzymatic drain cleaners are a gentle and eco-friendly alternative, but they may have to sit in the drain longer than 15 minutes. [23] Look for one that targets hair clogs. [24]
    • Check the label to see how much of the bottle to pour into the drain and if you need to wear protective clothing, like safety glasses or rubber gloves.
    • Optionally, flush the drain with warm or hot water for 1 minute to clear away the chemicals and any leftover debris. If the clog is still there, it may be time to contact a professional.
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Method 9
Method 9 of 10:

Calling a Professional Plumber

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  1. If none of the above at-home methods work, you may have roots or other small objects stuck in your pipes that need to be removed by a professional. [25]
    • Balkan says that “a professional drain cleaner has an air pressure gun and when you pump it up, it will blow the clog out.” [26]
    • If you see rust debris coming out from your pipes, that’s another sign to call a professional.
    • Let the plumber know what cleaners and methods you used to avoid any damage to your pipes.
Method 10
Method 10 of 10:

Preventing Hair Clogs in Your Shower Drain

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  1. A shower hair catcher can be an efficient way to prevent clumps of hair from collecting and eventually causing a clog in your drain. [27] To clean it daily, just pull it out of the drain and scoop the hair into the trash.
  2. This way, the majority of your loose hair follicles end up in the trash instead of collecting in your shower drain. [28]
    • If you need to brush your hair in the shower, designate a place to collect the hair instead of letting it collect in the tub or on top of the drain.
  3. To prevent hair and grime buildup, pour 1 cup (128 grams) baking soda and 1 cup (240 mL) of white distilled vinegar down the drain. Wait 10 minutes, then flush out the pipes with a pot or kettle full of boiling water. [29]
    • If you think hard water is building up in your pipes and causing clogs, you may have to ask a plumber to install a water softening system in your home. [30]
    • In addition, take off the guard and remove the hair and grime at the top of the drain every month. [31]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I easily get hair out of my shower drain?
    James Schuelke
    Professional Plumber
    James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest.
    James Schuelke
    Professional Plumber
    Expert Answer
    If you have a wet/dry vacuum, take off the drain cover and hold the vacuum's hose against the drain. When you turn it on, the hair will get sucked out.
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      Warnings

      • If there is standing water in your tub or shower, wait until it has drained away before trying to clean the hair out of the drain.
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      • Wear protective eyewear to avoid any nasty grime that might splash upwards when you remove the snaking tools.
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        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      • Try to avoid mixing two cleaning products. Read all the instructions on each product carefully before using it.
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      • Store chemical drain cleaners in a place out of reach of children and pets.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
      2. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/how-to-clear-a-clogged-drain/
      3. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-bathroom/how-to-clean-shower-drain
      4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a46365936/how-to-unclog-shower-drain/
      5. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-unblock-shower-drain-281474979610975/
      6. ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/O4dVNPUGwcQ?t=74
      8. ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
      9. ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview. 29 April 2021.
      1. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a46365936/how-to-unclog-shower-drain/
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/qG9KQlRZFWE?t=45
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/qG9KQlRZFWE?t=65
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
      5. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-unblock-shower-drain-281474979610975/
      6. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-unblock-shower-drain-281474979610975/
      7. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/drain-cleaners/how-to-choose-and-use-a-drain-cleaner-a1022501780/
      8. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-bathroom/how-to-clean-shower-drain#toc-how-to-use-a-drain-snake
      9. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-unblock-shower-drain-281474979610975/
      10. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-unblock-shower-drain-281474979610975/
      11. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-bathroom/how-to-clean-shower-drain#toc-how-to-clean-a-shower-drain-with-a-toilet-plunger
      12. ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview. 29 April 2021.
      13. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
      14. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-bathroom/how-to-clean-shower-drain#toc-unclog-a-shower-drain-with-a-store-bought-solution
      15. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/drain-cleaners/how-to-choose-and-use-a-drain-cleaner-a1022501780/
      16. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-unclog-shower-drain
      17. ↑ David Balkan. Professional Plumber & CEO of Balkan Sewer & Water Main. Expert Interview. 29 April 2021.
      18. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-unclog-shower-drain
      19. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-unclog-shower-drain
      20. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-shower-drain/
      21. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-unclog-shower-drain
      22. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-bathroom/how-to-clean-shower-drain

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