Excuse my excitement, but yesterday at exactly 5:41 p.m. I conquered our clogged bathtub drain. I did it solo while John was at work—girl power—and without spending a dime, calling a plumber, or using chemical drain cleaners. Victory! Below I’ll share what we tried, what failed, and the exact steps that finally worked.
We received nearly 200 crowd-sourced techniques in response to a previous post, and even had some plumbers chime in with advice. Many of those suggestions were helpful, but here’s the streamlined, tested approach that cleared our stubborn clog.
Unclogging Techniques We Tried
Before turning to readers for ideas, we attempted several common methods. Any of these can work for milder clogs in tubs, sinks, or showers, and they’re worth trying first. For our particular blockage none of them solved the problem completely:
- Fishing around with my fingers removed a substantial hairball (John called it a “Sherr-ball”), but water still wouldn’t drain properly.
- Plunging brought up a few unpleasant surprises, yet did not restore normal flow.
- Our 25-foot drain snake (auger) didn’t help in this case, though it can be effective for certain clogs.
- Boiling water—an effective fix for a previous kitchen sink clog—only added more water to the tub after repeated pours.
- The classic baking soda and vinegar treatment produced a satisfying fizz but didn’t clear the blockage after two attempts.
- A Zip-It tool recommended by a friend didn’t pull out nearly as much as some online demos suggested.
How We Unclogged Our Bathtub
After going through the attempts above, we followed a focused process that finally restored full drainage. It’s simple, uses basic tools, and doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals.
Step 1: Remove standing water
Use a bucket, towels, or a large sponge to remove as much standing water as possible. I scooped water into the nearby toilet to dispose of it quickly.
Step 2: Unscrew the overflow cover
Remove the overflow cover under the faucet with a screwdriver and pull out the metal coil to check for hair and debris. Clean any buildup. If your overflow is clear—or if your tub lacks one—proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Plug the overflow
Push a wet washcloth into the overflow opening. This keeps pressure from escaping while you plunge, improving the effectiveness of each push.
Step 4: Plunge the drain
Place a toilet plunger over the drain and plunge vigorously. If the washcloth comes loose, press it back into the overflow to maintain a tight seal. A helper can hold the washcloth while you plunge for a better seal.
Step 5: Keep plunging!
After many attempts I nearly quit, but persistence paid off. After several dozen strong plunges I finally heard the sound of the clog breaking up and water starting to swirl. Don’t give up too soon—plunging can take time with stubborn blockages.
Step 6: Replace the overflow cover
Screw the overflow cover back into place and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
Bonus Step: Baking soda + vinegar
As a precaution to remove any remaining residue, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for five minutes, then flush with a gallon of boiling water. This helps clear lingering gunk and leaves the drain fresher.
That’s all it took for us: no cost, no chemicals, and no outside help. Still, for complicated or recurring blockages we recommend consulting a professional plumber—some issues require expert tools and experience.
How To Prevent Clogs
I don’t plan to repeat this anytime soon, so we’re implementing a few simple preventive measures:
- Install a mesh drain trap to catch more hair than a standard metal plug.
- Brush hair before showering so less hair goes down the drain.
- Use the baking soda and vinegar treatment monthly as a preventive maintenance step.
Additional Clog Removal Ideas
Readers suggested many other methods worth trying if the steps above don’t work. We didn’t test these ourselves, but they’re commonly recommended:
- Pour a small amount of dish detergent down the drain to break up greasy buildup.
- Use a straightened wire hanger to fish for clogs within reach.
- Try a pressurized drain cleaner product designed to blast clogs with compressed air.
- Use commercial drain-clearing products designed for hair removal—follow manufacturer instructions and safety warnings carefully.
- Apply depilatory products intended for hair removal into the clog area cautiously, following directions and safety guidance.
- Pour soda (like cola) down the drain; it may help dissolve some residues.
- Try store-bought mechanical tools such as drain blasters, drain balloons, or drain claws to physically dislodge blockages.
- If accessible, remove the trap from the drain’s low point or snake from a basement or crawl space for direct access.
- Check the roof vent for debris; proper ventilation improves drainage performance.
- Ensure the tub stopper mechanism hasn’t fallen into the drain and is obstructing flow.
- Remove the overflow cover and clean the spring or coil of hair and debris as part of regular maintenance.
Warnings: We are not professional plumbers. Some methods—particularly chemical treatments—can damage piping or pose safety risks. Consider your plumbing material and system condition before using harsh chemicals, and inform a hired professional which products you’ve tried to help avoid accidents or chemical reactions.
Originally posted: October 29, 2009
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