Are you looking to learn how to dissolve hair in a shower drain? Hair stuck in the shower drain is a common problem that is faced by almost all of us in our daily lives. It could be a really frustrating situation if you don’t know how to unclog your shower drain from your hair properly.
So, in this guide, we are going to help you learn how you can dissolve or unclog hair in a shower drain. By following this guide’s step-by-step instructions, you will be able to quickly get hair out of a drain on your own.
Let’s get started.
What Is The Fastest Way To Get Hair Out Of A Drain?
The fastest way to get hair out of a drain is to use a plunger. It may seem like an old-school idea, but trust me, it still works really well.
All you have to do is follow the steps below and get the hair out of a drain within a few minutes with the help of a plunger.
Step #1: Spill Some Dish Soap into the Drain
Start by pouring a generous amount of dish soap into the drain. But you must be wondering why dish soap? Well, it’s a great grease-fighter, which means it can help break down any oily residue that’s helping the hair cling to your pipes.
Plus, it acts as a lubricant, making it easier for the hair to slide through the pipes when you start plunging.
Step #2: Squirt Some Vinegar and Baking Soda
Now, it’s time for a little chemistry. Take half a cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar.
This combination creates a fizzy, bubbling reaction that works to dissolve and loosen the hair clog.
Step #3: Spill Some Hot Water
Wait for the fizzing to reduce, then follow up with a pot of boiling water. Pour this slowly down the drain. The heat from the water helps to melt any greasy substances and further breaks down the hair clog.
It also helps in pushing the baking soda and vinegar mixture deeper into the drain, ensuring they work their magic more effectively.
Step #4: Start Plunging
Now, grab your plunger. Ensure there’s a bit of water in the shower or tub to create a good seal around the plunger. Place it firmly over the drain and use strong, steady plunges.
You’re not just pushing down; you’re also trying to create suction to pull the clog back up. It’s all about the push and pull. Keep at it for about a minute.
Step #5: Water the Drain
After you’ve worked up a bit of a sweat plunging, turn on the shower to see if the water drains away quickly.
If you see an improvement, congratulations, you’ve likely dislodged the clog. If the water still pools, don’t lose heart; you’re making progress.
Step #6: Repeat
If the drain is still slow, it’s just a stubborn clog playing hard to get. Repeat the steps a few more times. Often, hair clogs need a bit of persistence to be completely cleared.
And that’s it. By following these steps, you can tackle hair clogs in your shower drain with ease. Regular maintenance, like using a drain cover to catch hair, can prevent these clogs from happening in the first place.
How To Unclog Hair From Shower Drain Without A Snake?
If you are stuck with a deep clogged shower drain, mostly with hair, the best option for you would be to unclog hair from the shower drain with the help of a snake.
However, if you don’t have a snake but still you are looking for a way to unclog hair from the shower drain, you can try pouring baking soda and vinegar.
Here are the steps that can help you.
Step #1: Spill Some Water in the Drain
Before you start with the baking soda and vinegar, it’s a good idea to pour a little bit of water down the drain.
This helps to moisten any dry hair and debris, making it easier for the baking soda and vinegar to penetrate and work effectively. You don’t need much of it, just enough to get things a bit damp.
Step #2: Pour Some Baking Soda
Now, grab your baking soda and pour a good amount, about half a cup, directly into the drain.
Baking soda is a great agent that can help to dislodge the hair and gunk stuck in your pipes. Make sure to get as much of it down the drain as possible.
Step #3: Spill Some Vinegar
Next up, vinegar. Pour about half a cup of vinegar into the drain. When vinegar meets baking soda, it creates a fizzing action that can help to break up the clog.
The acidity of vinegar also works to dissolve any grime and hair. As you pour the vinegar, you’ll notice the bubbling – that’s the cleaning magic happening!
Step #4: Wait and Watch the Drain for Odor
After you have added the vinegar, wait for about 15 to 30 minutes. During this time, the baking soda and vinegar are doing their job inside the drain.
You might notice a slight odor, but that’s normal. It’s just the smell of the vinegar, and it will dissipate soon.
Step #5: Pour Lots Of Water
Finally, flush the drain with a large amount of hot water. This helps to wash away the loosened debris and hair. The hot water also helps to rinse out any remaining baking soda and vinegar from your pipes, leaving them clean and clear.
And that’s it. Using these simple steps, you can effectively unclog hair from your shower drain without the need for a snake.
This method is safe for you and uses ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
What Chemical Dissolves Human Hair?
Well, if you’re considering a chemical solution for dissolving human hair in your shower drain, bleach is a notable option. After trying out mechanical methods like plunging or natural solutions such as baking soda and vinegar, you might be leaning towards a more robust chemical approach.
Bleach, especially at a pH of 10.0, is effective in breaking down hair. This is because bleach, which is primarily composed of sodium hypochlorite, reacts with the keratin in hair, leading to its decomposition.
When you pour bleach down the drain, its alkaline nature starts working on the hair clog, and within about 30 minutes, you’ll begin to see results. For tougher clogs, leaving it to work overnight can be more effective.
However, it’s crucial to use bleach cautiously. Ensure good ventilation in the area, wear protective gloves, and, most importantly, never mix bleach with other cleaning agents like ammonia or vinegar, as this can produce harmful gases.
What Dissolves Hair But Not Plastic?
Home-used bleach is a good option when it comes to dissolving the human hair stuck in the shower drain. However, bleach might be harmful to the plastic drain piping as it can discolor, harm, and even dissolve the plastic due to excessive usage.
So you must be wondering what dissolves hair but not plastic.
Well, there are several safer alternatives that can effectively dissolve hair without damaging plastic pipes:
- Enzymatic Drain Cleaners: Ideal for breaking down hair without harming plastic pipes, these cleaners use natural enzymes for gentle, eco-friendly maintenance.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: This effective, safe combo for plastic pipes creates a fizzing action to loosen hair clogs. It’s natural but may need multiple uses for tough clogs.
- Boiling Water: A simple hot water flush can melt hair build-up. Use moderately hot water as a regular preventive method to prevent damage to PVC pipes.
- Dish Soap and Hot Water: Dish soap breaks down grease holding hair in drains. Combine with hot water for an easy fix, but watch the temperature to protect plastic pipes.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: With its mild properties, hydrogen peroxide safely breaks down hair in drains, less harshly than bleach, and is safe for plastic pipes.
Final Words
So, that’s how to dissolve hair in the shower drain. All you have to do is carefully follow the steps given above, and you will end up uncloging your shower drain within a few minutes.
