r/CleaningTips • u/No_Pudding4130 • 4h ago
Kitchen Drain cleaner for kitchen/shower
Hi there, has anyone used this? It was recommended to me by a coworker for my kitchen drain which often clogs. Yay or nay? It was recommended to her by a plumber.
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u/hypoxiate 4h ago
It works but you absolutely need to read the instructions and follow them exactly. Also make sure this is compatible with the type of pipes you have.
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u/Pretend_Education_86 4h ago
I am usually just doom scrolling my feed but I saw this picture and had to say. Crap oh crap this is the best stuff. I promise you this will do the trick. Just do what it says (and be careful handling it and storing it) and it will eat whatever is there.
Also if its your kitchen sink it might be a build up of grease. This stuff works but is aggressive. Be careful with your pets. Maybe look in to some dish soap trickery.
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u/ithasallbeenworthit 3h ago
You should post this to r/plumbers to get real advice about this.
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u/toolsavvy 30m ago
Meh, that sub and all others like it, the only answer they give is "call a professional", making such subs useless.
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u/Shot-Swimming-9098 10m ago
Why would a plumber, or a mechanic, or any trade, really, spend their time on the internet at night after a hard day of work as a plumber, mechanic, or electrician, giving advice to folks to so they can avoid paying a tradesman?
Even worse, think about the reddit aspect, people who know what they are talking about get shouted down and argued with by some guy just repeating what he read on reddit. I could see a mechanic wanting to hop on reddit and help somebody out, and then quickly seeing themself out.
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u/toolsavvy 4m ago
Like I said, subs like that are rather pointless. Just make a sub called r/callaprofessional, allow posts but turn off comments from anyone but mods, then have an automod post a comment "call a professional" and you've have a much more useful sub, becuase at least you don't go in thinking you;re gonna get actual and actionable information lol
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u/LifeAlt_17 3h ago
A few years ago I was in full panic mode the Wednesday before Thanksgiving because i was hosting and my main bathroom sink backed up. My coworker recommended this to me, he was telling me hair & grease and I was like I don’t know why it’s backed up, I’m not a plumber😭
Anyway, I picked it up on my way home followed the instructions and the next morning it was clear. It was amazing.
I’ve kept a bottle handy ever since.
Now I’m in shock because I just realized a “few years ago” was 2016, 10 freakin years ago!!! TEN!
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u/Erathen 3h ago
Use enzymatic cleaners preferably
Don't use this on metal/tubular drainage (brass). The wall is too thin. This is liable to chew right through it
Make sure there's some flow. If there's no flow, the heat/pressure will be trapped and can crack the drain fittings/piping
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u/WalkerCalvert 3h ago
Hell, use Instant Power's enzyme drain cleaner. Sorta surprised a plumber recommended this I have never known any to do so.
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u/Erathen 2h ago
Sorry can you rephrase the "surprised a plumber recommended this?"
You're talking about the caustic drain cleaner in the OP? Someone else in the thread?
Yeah I always prefer enzymatic. I've been in the plumbing industry for over 5 years now (and broken a few p-traps with the caustic stuff)
The enzymatic is more preventative/maintenance. And a snake for actual clogs
It should also be used at night before bed. So it can sit for awhile
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u/StevenJOwens 2h ago
https://myinstantpower.com/product/hair-grease-drain-opener/
"Chemicals: Sodium Hydroxide • Potassium Hydroxide"
Sodium hydroxide is lye. Potassium hydroxide is caustic potash
My plumber tells me to avoid lye drain cleaners, especially with the old drains in my 126 year old house. He says they're likely to damage old drains. We've never talked about caustic potash but a quick google shows that it's also very highly alkaline, like lye, so I suspect he'd have the same opinion.
Also, I've seen numerous cautions to use this stuff very carefully, wear safety gear, including SAFETY GOGGLES and gloves as highly alkaline chemicals can burn your skin.
And both of these will have an exothermic reaction reaction with water, i.e. it produces lots of heat. I've seen people warn that this can cause the chemical to shoot back up out of the drain, hence why it's extra important to wear the safety gear, especially goggles.
Also, VERY IMPORTANT, if you use this stuff and it doesn't solve the problem, and you end up having to call a plumber, you MUST tell the plumber about using this stuff, they need to know so they can take appropriate safety precautions.
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u/eyesayuhh 1h ago
I would do this once every 3 months with my drains. It doesn't fix the root cause of the issue, which is build up in the pipes. Not to mention it's horrible for the environment.
I ended up getting a snake that works with a drill. Hand snakes don't work as well (tried that). It takes 5 minutes to learn how to use the snake with a drill. I did that and haven't had an issue with my drain in over a year. A plumber will charge you 200-300, which I paid before. A snake and cheap drill run around 60-70 dollars. So it's the cheapest and most effective way to deal with clogs.
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u/TopCauliflower3681 4h ago
Not a plumber, but.....
I've spoken to several who all advise against using these products. If you do use one, and later need to call a plumber, make sure you tell them you used this. The product is toxic and they'll appreciate knowing it's in the pipes before they start working.
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u/ipodpron 2h ago
Question.
If it’s stored and shipped in an accepted and approved container, why is it shipped in a bag?
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u/OceanWoMan-8811 1h ago
Idk, I’ve been using it for years (it’s the only one I’ll use bc it’s the only one that’s even worked) but it’s sold in store in that bag. I’ve always figured it was for when it’s being stored 🤷♀️
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u/jba1224a 1h ago
It is sold in a bag because if the container is dropped or otherwise broken during shipping, it can damage biological matter (like wood, or people) and create major issues
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u/floppydo 3h ago
Every plumber says not to use this stuff, so I don't, but every non-plumber says it works great. I wouldn't know because I'm a coward, but you should probably give it a try.
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u/snow_boarder 3h ago
It’s very easy to remove your p trap and just send an auger down to remove the blockage.
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u/Zaddy_007 3h ago
I've been using this for over a decade with no issues. Just follow the instructions.
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u/TheBigSalami 3h ago edited 3h ago
Depends where the clog is. Grease from my kitchen sink constantly causes clogs in my basement floor pipes and it backs up into the utility sink down there. None of the chemicals work when it’s a complete clog, so I just bought a drain snake and it works well. It’s always the same spot so I know which cleanout to put the snake into. It’s a nasty job, but it beats paying a couple hundred bucks every 4 months for a plumber to come. You could try enzyme drain treatments as an alternative, but that’s a preventative measure. Zep drain defense is one of them
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u/wolfansbrother 2h ago
It says safe for pipes, but if you have metal drain pipes(only some older homes) it can cause corrosion. its a quck fix, but not a solution
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u/ToxicComputing 2h ago
This pretty serious stuff please wear nitrile gloves and eye protection.
https://images.clasohlson.com/medias/sys_master/9542888030238.pdf
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u/Rare_Discipline1701 2h ago
This stuff destroys your old pipes so then the plumber gets to quote you a much larger job later on to change it all out.
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u/eightfingeredtypist 2h ago
I was at check out at Home Depot. The guy in front of me had this stuff, a jug of ame other drain cleaner, and a snake.
The clerk checked him out, and told him to have a nice day.
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u/cloudshaper 1h ago
I found it to be much more effective on my kitchen sink than my bathtub. For my shower what has worked best are lye crystals. (we can't seem to get the drain fitting off the tub to try running a snake)
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u/toolsavvy 33m ago
Don't use too much and dont leave it in there long. It will melt/soften schedule 40 PVC pipe. I used too much and left it in too long and one of my pipe is oval because it was not unclogging the pipe and I touched the pipe to see how to it was then squeezed it a little. Luckily I didn't squeeze it enough to render it useless, it's still good. But I could have made things a lot worse.
My suggestion is to not use it all the time. If you have a constant clogging drain even after you use this product, that's an issue you need to resolve mechanically, not with chemicals.
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u/Every-Chance6313 3h ago
Stop pouring grease down your drain and you could have prevented this to begin with and saved yourself a lot of money and headache.
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u/No_Pudding4130 2h ago
I’m sure some grease going your pipes is not exactly preventable 100% of the time
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u/kelly714 2h ago
It may be used for other situations that have an oil or grease component. We have hunting dogs & bathe them in the shower/tub we had installed just for them if the weather calls for it. We have a drain cover made specifically to catch the hair, but the oils get through & we have to clean the drain occasionally.
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u/Every-Chance6313 1h ago
I was under the impression. We were talking g about a kitchen drain. My mistake.
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u/AtomBomb2026 3h ago
Why not just put it on your head and body to prevent the hair clog up to in the drains?
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u/Obvious-Active4064 3h ago
Plumber here. If you use this stuff make sure it's well ventilated area. More is not better. Also, if you have old cast iron pipes it will eventually damage them. If it doesn't work and you hire a plumber make sure they are aware you dumped this in the drain. If you don't want to call a plumber rent or buy a little 1/4 inch drain snake.