Blocked drains are the bane of many households, from showers and baths to sinks. Numerous factors, from soap scum and hair to limescale and cooking grease, can lead to these pesky clogs.
A common DIY solution is to combine baking soda and white vinegar; however, this combination is only effective for minor drain blockages.
Sharing her struggle with a stubbornly clogged shower drain, homeowner Dawn Murphy sought advice on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook group. Dawn Murphy asked: “Can anyone give me a tip on how to unblock my shower?”
She detailed her predicament with an accompanying photo: “This is what the drain of my shower looks like when I take the cover off. It’s blocked somewhere, as when we shower, the cubicle fills up with water.”
She detailed her previous efforts: “I’ve tried store-bought drain unblockers, bleach, white vinegar, and baking soda. It works for a few days then it’s back to slow draining.
“I have a mane of curly hair so I know I’m the culprit. Nothing is working. What else can I use on it?”
An overwhelming response emerged from the community, recommending a specialist tool known as a drain snake.
Designed like coiled cables, a drain snake penetrates your drain seamlessly, eliminating whatever muck has caused your plumbing woes.
Gemma Leighfield strongly advised: “Get a drain snake. It’s a very long spring wire thing with a twisted end with a point on it.
“It wraps around the hair and drags it back out the drain. It goes around corners etc as it’s flexible. Couple of quid and is so handy for any drain or plug etc. Had mine years.”
Patricia Walsh noted: “When I bought a drain snake from Wickes it came with a flexible barbed ‘rod’ and it’s amazing what it pulls out of the pipes.
“The first time I used it I thought it was bringing out a dead mouse! Never had a problem since.”
Colleen Anderson advised: “Get a drain snake. Works every time for me and you can clean it and reuse it. No chemicals needed and gets out the clogs in under one minute.”
Tanya Hill shared: “Rather than using any chemicals to clear it I found drain snakes much better at unblocking sinks. Absolute magic. Works every time.”
