I've tried enzyme cleaners a couple times—definitely eco-friendly, but they're slow. You gotta pour them in overnight, sometimes multiple nights. Good for maintenance, but if you're already clogged up... probably not your best bet.
"Good for maintenance, but if you're already clogged up... probably not your best bet."
Yeah, enzyme cleaners are definitely more of a preventative thing. Learned that the hard way when our shower drain backed up right before guests arrived—talk about timing. Ended up grabbing a drain snake from the hardware store, and honestly, it was faster and easier than I expected. Now I keep enzymes around for regular upkeep, but for actual clogs, mechanical methods win hands down.
Drain snakes are great in a pinch, but honestly, I've had pretty decent luck with a wet/dry shop vac. Sounds weird, I know, but sometimes sucking the clog out can be quicker and less messy than pushing it through. Worth a shot next time you're stuck...
Totally agree with the shop vac suggestion—it's underrated. I've used it myself a few times and honestly, it's saved me from some pretty messy situations. Couple things I'd add from experience:
- Make sure you get a good seal around the drain opening. Sometimes just wrapping an old rag or towel around the hose end helps create better suction.
- If you're dealing with sinks or tubs, don't forget to plug or cover any overflow openings. You'd be surprised how much suction you lose if air can sneak in through those overflow holes.
- One minor caution—wet/dry vacs are awesome for hair clogs and soap buildup, but if you've got something more solid stuck down there (like a kid's toy or piece of jewelry), it might not budge as easily. In those cases, the snake is usually your best bet.
- Also, if you do end up snaking, try running hot water afterward to flush out any remaining debris and clear things fully.
Another little DIY trick I've recommended before: baking soda and vinegar can help loosen mild clogs before using the vac or snake. It's not magic, but sometimes it softens up stubborn gunk enough to make removal easier.
Anyway...good luck with your bathroom fix-up project. Sounds like you're already on the right track!
Definitely second the baking soda and vinegar trick, it's saved me a few times too. One thing I'd add—if you're using a snake, go slow and gentle at first. I've seen people force it too hard and end up damaging older pipes or fittings. Also, if your pipes are PVC, avoid chemical drain cleaners altogether...they can weaken the joints over time. Learned that one the hard way, unfortunately.
