How do I unclog a bathtub drain?

  10 answers
  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jul 02, 2019

    First you need to get the hair out using a tool called Zip It, it is real cheap and is a thin strip of plastic with barbs on the sides. Put that down the drain as many times as you need to get as much hair as possible out of the drain. Once the hair is out, put down about a half cup of baking soda and follow it with at least a cup of straight vinegar. Let that bubble and fizz until it stops, then put down at least a gallon of boiling water to wash everything down the pipes. Occasionally it is necessary to do this a second time. This same hack can be used on the bathroom sink, and kitchen sink, minus removing hair in the kitchen sink. I hope this works for you Patricia!

  • Please be careful about boiling water down your pipes, you could do some serious damage. Use hot water instead, works just as well.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jul 04, 2019

    This can be a frequent consideration if you have someone blessed with curly long hair like we do.


    Even though we have an auger, most commonly we find that our drains need to be physically fished out. Either using an unbent hanger as a refashioned hook or plastic barbed tool from the dollar store to explore the drain obstruction.

    Fishing out the blockage with that in -our experience— to partially involve hair seems to most readily alleviate stoppage in our faucets and shower drains.


    There are some retrofit devices out there and that could be helpful if you get your drain clean consider the little mushroom cap for collecting the hair. There is also a more refined looking chrome for one but if you look at customer reviews and Q&A’s it seems like this mushroom one has a higher review. You may consider having a look at these existing devices to see if that will help the problem from from reoccurring.


    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BYRMGCC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01BYRMGCC&pd_rd_wg=OtdJu&pd_rd_r=5KMQ44Z70FGJK9DD4BBE&pd_rd_w=nxIOf

  • I have a very cheap tool I use to clear the hair clogs, which is usually what I find is the cause of my issues. https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-20-in-Hair-Snake-90830/324601746 I try that first, then I pour vinegar and warm water down the drain.

  • Betsy Betsy 3 days ago

    Hello Patricia: Get all of the water out of the tub, even use a turkey baster if you have one, to get the water out of the drain. Then, get a 1/2 box of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Then, pour about a cup of white vinegar and then, really quickly, use a cloth to stop up the drain AND the over flow opening, which should be where the toggle for opening and closing the drain is. Hold this for a few minutes as it will fuzz up like mad. Then, when the fuzzing stops, pour a lot of hot water down the drain. DON'T DO THIS IF YOU HAVE USED ANYTHING LIKE DRAINO AS IT CAN FUZZ UP INTO YOUR FACE AND CAUSE PROBLEMS.

  • Shahzao Shahzao 3 days ago

    To unclog a bathtub drain, start by removing hair and debris near the surface. Then, pour boiling water down the drain followed by a mix of baking soda and vinegar. Let it sit, then flush with hot water. If needed, try using a plunger or a drain auger. If the problem persists, consider calling a plumber for help.

  • Annie Annie 3 days ago

    A drain snake is a good place to start, and then some kind of de-clogging agent like Drain-o if that doesn't fully fix the problem!

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec 3 days ago

    Remove the hair from the drain, they have inexpensive plastic snakes that the hair will get hooked on. Next put in 1/3 cup baking soda and add 1 cup vinegar, when the fizzing stops, rinse with hot water. If that does not work then use a drain clog product to dissolve the hair.The dollar store has several that work well.