Can Drano Be Used in Bathtubs?

Drano is a popular household cleaner that is often used to unclog drains, and you may have used it to break up pesky clogs in your kitchen or bathroom sinks. But is Drano safe for a slow bathtub drain?

Yes, you can use Drano in your bathtub, but there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Read on to learn more about using Drano in bathtubs, including some tips and precautions.

Image of a bathtub beside the wall of green tiles

Is Drano Safe to Use In Tubs?

Yes, Drano works well in the shower drain and was designed for this specific purpose.

If you have a clogged bathtub drain, just use one of the Drano products and you should see a reduction or elimination of your clog as quickly as 15 minutes.

When using Drano in a clogged bathtub, start by making sure the space is well-ventilated.

Your bathroom is likely much smaller than other rooms in your house, which means the fumes can be more concentrated.

You may want to open a window or turn on a fan to help circulate the air.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you may not want to use Drano if your bathtub drain is completely blocked. This can create toxic fumes that build up in your bathroom, and you could be at risk for serious respiratory problems.

In this case, start by using a plunger to loosen up the knot and create some space for water to slowly drain. If this doesn’t work, using a drain snake or hanger can help to loosen a clogged bathtub.

Once the water starts to drain, you can then use a chemical drain cleaner to clear out any remaining residue.

Can You Use Drano if Your Bathtub Is Filled With Water?

Image of a water filled bathtubs with running water from faucet

If you have a bathtub that is filled with water and a clogged drain, you may be wondering if Drano can still be used.

The answer is yes, but you should take some precautions.

Start by scooping out as much water from the tub as possible so the liquid doesn’t splash when you use the Drano.

You can use a cup, bucket, or even a pot to remove the water.

It will probably be easiest to pour the water into a nearby toilet or kitchen sink.

Once you have removed as much water as possible, pour the Drano into the drain and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.

After 15 to 30 minutes have passed, flush the drain with hot water for at least five minutes and up to 20 minutes.

This will help to break up any remaining clogs and residue.

If the water doesn’t seem to be draining as quickly as it should, but you see some progress, you can repeat the process.

If your tub is completely full of water and you have no way to bail it out, don’t pour Drano into the tub.

The chemicals in Drano can be dangerous, and you don’t want to risk coming into contact with them.

The liquid plumber solution will be diluted in the bathwater, so it won’t be as effective. Even worse, it may damage the tub itself or any pipes that are connected to it if they’re just sitting in a diluted solution.

In this case, your best bet is to call a professional plumber.

Is Drano Safe for Bathtubs?

Yes, Drano is safe for the bathtub as long as you take some precautions.

Don’t use it as a replacement for regular maintenance, like cleaning out your drains and making sure that you catch most of your hair before it goes down the drain.

It’s safest to use Drano in your tub when your drain clogs are partial. Fully clogged drains can cause toxic fumes to build up, and you don’t want to be anywhere near those.

If your drain is fully clogged, try using a plunger or a hanger to loosen it before resorting to Drano.

Drano is made out of 5 main ingredients that work together to break up your shower drain clogs while protecting your shower drain pipes:

Sodium Hypochlorite: It works as a bleaching agent by decomposing organic matter and eliminating bacteria.

Sodium Hydroxide: Also called lye, this ingredient is corrosive and alkaline. Detergents and mildew stain removers often contain this chemical. The chemical breaks down grease and hair that can clog drains.

Polydimethylsiloxane: A defoamer that helps reduce excessive foam production during cleansing.

Sodium Silicate: This additive protects your pipes and other metal surfaces from corrosion caused by the other ingredients.

Water: This liquid provides a perfectly diluted solution and base for the other ingredients.

These five ingredients work together to help make sure that there isn’t much damage to your plastic or metal pipes.

Corroded pipes are only a problem with Drano when you leave the solution in your pipes for too long or if you have an old piping system.

You should also avoid contact with the Drano solution because it’s not safe for long-term exposure to people. The fumes aren’t toxic, but they can be irritating to your eyes, skin, and throat.

Inhaling the fumes can cause coughing and difficulty breathing. If you come into contact with the solution, make sure to

Which Drano Is Best for Bathtubs?

The best Drano for bathtubs is the one that will work on your clog while causing the least amount of damage to your pipes. Drano Max Gel Clog Remover and Drano Dual Force Foamer Clog Remover are two good options.

You can also use Drano Hair Buster Gel, which is specifically designed for hair clogs.

Drano Max Gel Clog Remover is thick so it’s less likely to drip down to the pipes below. Drano Dual Force Foamer Clog Remover has a foaming action that helps push the clog through your drain.

Drano Hair Buster Gel is made with enzymes that break down hair and soap scum.

All of these products are safe for most types of pipes, including PVC, metal, and

The whole Drano line is safe for plastic and metal pipes, but the Max Gel and Dual Force Foamer are less likely to cause corrosion.

If you have an old piping system, you may want to take some time to make sure that your pipes can handle the Drano before using it.

You can also let the Drano sit for half as long so that it has a milder effect on your pipes overall.

How Much Drano to Use in Bathtubs?

Image of green liquid being poured in a measuring cup

You can use about 16 ounces of Drano gel to eliminate drain clogs. If you need max gel clog removal, you can use up to 32 ounces of gel.

As mentioned above, you can use less gel overall if you’re worried that your pipes are older and won’t be able to handle the Drano as well.

When using Drano in your bathtub, make sure to pour it slowly so that it has time to work on the clog. You can then run hot water down the drain for a few minutes to help flush away any leftover residue.

You can simply turn the shower on at its hottest setting and let it run for a few minutes.

What Can I Pour Down My Bathtub Drain to Unclog It?

Image of six photos of items use for cleaning bathtubs with blue hand at the middle

Are you out of Drano, or hesitant to use it? No worries, there are several other things you can pour down your bathtub drain to unclog it:

Boiling Water

It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to clear out your partially clogged sink drains and shower drains. Very hot water usually works well enough to take care of the problem.

Simply bring a pot of water to a boil, and then carefully pour it down the drain. You can do this as many times as needed since there aren’t any harsh chemicals involved.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

You can also try a baking soda and vinegar mix. This combination can work well to unclog your drain without causing any damage.

It works by fizzing and bubbling up to break apart the clog. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow it up with a cup of vinegar.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Another option is to use hydrogen peroxide. This can also help break apart the clog so that it can be flushed away more easily.

Just pour a cup or two of hydrogen peroxide down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes before running hot water down the drain.

Salt and Boiling Water

Another option is to pour salt down the drain, followed by boiling water. Salt is a good grease clog remover.

The salt will help break up the clog, and the boiling water will flush it away. Start by pouring a cup of salt down the drain, then follow it up with a pot of boiling water.

Drain Snake

If you have a drain snake, you can also try using that to unclog your drain. This is a great option for the shower or clogged bathtub because it can help break up the clog and get it moving, especially if it’s deep down in the drain.

Plunger

If you have a plunger, you can also try using that to unclog your drain. This is a great option for the shower or clogged bathtub because it can help break up the clog and get it moving for more heavy-duty clogs.

It also works well in conjunction with boiling water or a baking soda and vinegar mix.

To use a plunger, simply place it over the drain and push and pull the plunger up and down. You may need to do this several times to get the clog moving.

Make sure you create a firm seal around the drain so that the plunger can do its job.

When Should You Not Use Drano?

Photo of a person beside a toilet bowl holding a plunger

It’s important to avoid using Drano in toilets. This can make a clog worse and can also damage your toilet.

If you have a clog in your toilet, try using a plunger or a snake designed specifically for toilets. You can also call a professional to help clear the clog.

You should also avoid using Drano if your pipes are cracked, leaking, or otherwise damaged. Drano can damage your pipes and make the problem worse.

If you’re not sure if your pipes are damaged, call a professional to take a look before using any type of drain cleaner.

Final Thoughts

Clogged bath drains can be a pain, but luckily there are several things you can do to unclog them. Drano is a great option, but you can also try hot water, baking soda and vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or salt and boiling water.

If you have a plunger or drain snake, you can also try using those. Now that you know all of your options, you can unclog that drain with ease!

Image showing the drain with plug of a bathtub with text overlay that reads Can Drano Be Used in Bathtubs?

About Emma

Hey there! I'm Emma. When I'm not wrangling kids I like to walk aimlessly around hardware stores and watch HGTV for hours on end.

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