Yeah, enzyme cleaners do help a bit with hair, but like you mentioned, they're pretty slow-going compared to food waste. I've tried them before and found they're great for keeping things fresh and preventing buildup, but once you've got a real clog of tangled hair... enzymes alone probably won't cut it.
Haha, totally agree—gross indeed, but oddly satisfying when that nasty clump finally comes out!"honestly, the wire hanger or drain snake method might still be your best bet... gross as it is."
I've had pretty similar experiences with enzyme cleaners. They're decent for maintenance, but once you've got a serious hair clog, they're just too slow and mild to really tackle the issue. I've tried the wire hanger trick myself—works okay, but honestly, I found investing in one of those cheap plastic drain snakes with the little barbs on them way easier:
- Costs only a few bucks at most hardware or dollar stores.
- Flexible enough to navigate tricky pipe bends easily.
- Barbs grab hair clumps surprisingly well (gross but effective...).
- Reusable if you clean it off afterward (again, gross—but worth it).
I keep one hanging in the laundry room now, and every month or two I just give the drains a quick pass. Haven't had a major clog since I started doing that. For me, it's a practical, budget-friendly compromise between enzyme cleaners (good but slow) and calling in a plumber (fast but pricey).
I've found those plastic barbed snakes pretty handy too, but I've always wondered about their durability—mine started bending out of shape after a few uses. Also, from an eco perspective, I'm not thrilled about using plastic regularly. Has anyone tried those metal drain snakes with rotating handles? Seems like they'd last longer and be easier to clean up afterward, but I'm curious if they're flexible enough for tight pipe bends...
I've used one of those metal snakes with the rotating handle for a couple years now, and honestly, it's been pretty solid. Definitely sturdier than the plastic ones—no more bent-out-of-shape frustrations. It handles most bends fine, but if you've got super tight curves in your pipes, it can be a bit tricky to maneuver. Still, way easier to clean afterward, and feels better not tossing plastic every few months. Worth giving it a shot, I'd say.
Totally agree, the metal ones are way better. Do you find it tricky getting around tight corners without scratching the pipes? I've been extra cautious since I'm new to this whole homeowner thing...but definitely beats tossing plastic constantly.
