Excuse my excitement, but yesterday at 5:41 p.m. I finally beat our clogged bathtub drain. I did it alone while John was at work — no plumber, no store-bought chemical drain cleaners, and no cost. Victory! Below I’ll walk through what we tried, what failed, and the exact steps that worked so you can try them too.
We collected dozens of reader suggestions and even a few tips from plumbers, but before turning to those I ran through a number of common DIY methods. Some help with lighter clogs, but they didn’t clear ours. I’ll list them briefly in case they work for you.
Unclogging Techniques We Tried
These are simple, inexpensive steps many people try first. They can work well for minor blockages in tubs, showers, and sinks, but keep in mind stubborn clogs may require more effort or a professional.
- Fishing with my fingers removed a sizable hairball, but the drain still remained slow.
- Plunging released more gunk, but the water level didn’t improve.
- Our 25-foot drain snake (auger) didn’t help this time, though it can clear deeper blockages in other situations.
- Pouring boiling water — a trick that fixed our kitchen sink before — only added more water to the tub after multiple attempts.
- Home remedy: ½ cup baking soda followed by 1 cup white vinegar. The fizzing was satisfying, but after two tries and flushing with boiling water there was no improvement.
- A plastic “Zip-It” tool removed a little debris but not enough to restore normal flow.
How We Unclogged Our Bathtub
After those attempts, one method finally did the trick. It’s inexpensive and effective when performed carefully. Here are the precise steps we followed to get the water draining freely again.
Step 1: Remove standing water
Begin by removing as much standing water as possible. Use a bucket, towels, or a large sponge to scoop out water so you can see and access the drain more easily. I emptied ours into the toilet — not glamorous, but it worked.
Step 2: Unscrew the overflow cover
Use a screwdriver to remove the overflow cover beneath the faucet and pull out the coil or spring inside. Clean off any hair or debris you find. If this area is already clear, that’s fine — some clogs are farther down the pipe. If your tub lacks an overflow opening, skip to Step 4.
Step 3: Plug the overflow
Push a wet washcloth into the overflow opening to create a seal. This prevents air from escaping when you apply pressure with a plunger.
Step 4: Plunge the drain
Place a flange-style or toilet plunger over the drain and plunge vigorously. Maintain the seal and re-seat the washcloth if it loosens. A helper can hold the cloth while you plunge for a better seal.
Step 5: Keep plunging!
Don’t give up after a few tries. I pushed through about 40 plunges before progress, then kept going for another dozen until I heard the satisfying gurgle of water draining. Persistence paid off.
Step 6: Replace the overflow cover
Screw the overflow cover back in place. At this point the tub should drain normally — and you’ll earn the right to brag about your DIY plumbing victory.
Bonus Step: Baking soda + vinegar
As a precautionary finish, I repeated the baking soda and vinegar treatment: ½ cup baking soda, 1 cup vinegar, let it sit five minutes, then flush with a gallon of boiling water. This helps clear remaining residue and leaves the pipe cleaner.
That was it: zero dollars, no harsh chemical drain cleaners, and all by myself. This method solved our immediate problem, but remember some issues require a professional plumber—especially complicated or recurring clogs.
How To Prevent Clogs
I don’t want to repeat this chore, so we’ll take a few preventive steps going forward:
- Install a mesh drain trap to catch more hair than the existing metal plug.
- Brush hair before showering to remove loose strands ahead of time.
- Use the baking soda and vinegar maintenance treatment monthly to keep pipes fresh.
Additional Clog Removal Ideas
If plunging and the simple remedies above don’t work, readers and plumbing pros suggested other approaches you can consider. I haven’t tested these personally, so evaluate them carefully and consult a professional for persistent or complex problems.
- Pour a small amount of dish detergent down the drain to help break up grease.
- Use a straightened wire hanger to fish for clogs near the drain opening.
- Consider pressurized products designed to blast clogs, used with care and following instructions.
- Chemical drain cleaners can dissolve hair, but they carry risks for pipes and personal safety; follow manufacturer directions if you use them.
- Some people use depilatory products to dissolve hair, but check compatibility with your plumbing and avoid mixing chemicals.
- Tools like drain claws, drain balloons, or powered drain cleaners can remove or push through blockages.
- Accessing and snaking the drain from a cleanout, basement trap, or crawl space can clear deeper clogs.
- Check roof vent pipes and ensure stoppers or valves haven’t accidentally closed inside the drain.
- Removing and cleaning the overflow spring or coil can eliminate trapped hair and improve flow.
Warnings: These are DIY suggestions, not professional advice. Research any chemical or mechanical method before use, consider the age and material of your plumbing, and inform a plumber if you’ve already tried chemical products to avoid hazards.
Originally posted: October 29, 2009
