Weirdest things people have used to clear a clogged drain

Wire coat hangers make me nervous, honestly.

Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen way too many pipes scratched up or even punctured by folks going at it with a hanger. Those plastic zip tools are a game changer - cheap, safe, and they actually work. As for the shop vac trick, I’ve tried it once. It’s messy, but if you seal the drain well and don’t mind a little chaos, it can pull out some gnarly stuff. Still, I’d stick with the zip tool first.

Those plastic zip tools are a game changer - cheap, safe, and they actually work.

Honestly, I was skeptical about those zip tools at first, but after pulling out a hairball the size of a hamster, I’m a convert. Never again with the hanger - my paranoia about ruining the pipes is real. Has anyone tried the baking soda and vinegar thing? I see it everywhere online, but I’m not convinced it does much beyond making bubbles. Is it actually effective, or just a TikTok myth?

Never again with the hanger - my paranoia about ruining the pipes is real.

Can’t blame you there. Metal hangers are a nightmare waiting to happen for pipes - seen too many scratched-up traps and even punctured PVC from folks trying that trick. Those plastic zip tools are way safer, especially for hair clogs.

About the baking soda and vinegar thing... I’ve watched it get hyped everywhere, but honestly, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. It’ll fizz and look dramatic, but in terms of actually clearing a stubborn clog? Not so much. The reaction just doesn’t have enough force to break down real blockages, especially ones made of hair or grease. It might help if you’re dealing with a smelly drain or something minor, but don’t expect miracles.

If you want something safe and effective, stick with mechanical methods like the zip tool or a small hand auger. Chemical stuff (even “natural” ones) can sometimes make things worse or just waste your time. Seen too many folks pour everything under the kitchen sink down their drains and then call me when nothing moves...

- Gotta say, I’ve had better luck with baking soda and vinegar than you describe - at least for slow drains, not full-on clogs.
- Maybe it’s just my old pipes, but sometimes that fizz helps loosen up gunk before I use a zip tool.
- Wouldn’t trust it for grease though. That stuff is stubborn and usually needs a snake or just pulling the trap apart.
- I’m always nervous about chemicals, even the “natural” ones, so I try to keep it simple... but yeah, I get why people try everything when water’s backing up.

I get the appeal of baking soda and vinegar - folks like the idea of something “natural” fizzing away the problem. But in my experience, especially with rental units, that combo rarely does more than freshen up the smell. For slow drains, maybe you’ll see a little improvement, but anything past a minor hair clog and it’s just not enough.

Wouldn’t trust it for grease though. That stuff is stubborn and usually needs a snake or just pulling the trap apart.

Couldn’t agree more here. Grease is a nightmare. I’ve seen tenants dump boiling water down thinking it’ll melt everything, but all that does is push the sludge further down until it cools and hardens again. Then you’re looking at a bigger headache.

Honestly, I’ve had better luck with mechanical methods - zip tools for hair, drain snakes for tougher blockages. If it’s really bad, I just take apart the trap under the sink. It’s messy, but at least you know what you’re dealing with and can clear it out completely.

As for chemicals, even so-called “green” ones can mess with older pipes or seals over time. I stick to hot water flushes for maintenance and only break out the big guns if nothing else works. The weirdest thing I’ve seen? Someone tried to use a coat hanger wrapped in duct tape as a makeshift snake... ended up losing half the tape in the drain and making things worse.

Bottom line: fizz might help with odors or very light buildup, but if water’s backing up, you’re usually looking at some hands-on work - no magic bullet there.