Drano^® Frequently Asked Questions

Drano^® Clog Removers can unclog a drain fast. They contain ingredients chemicals that quickly dissolve hair, soap scum and gunk. You can use Drano^® Clog Removers to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower or clogged bathtub, but DO NOT use them in toilets. For clogged or slow-running drains, apply the product and let it work 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. For tough problems, allow 30 minutes before flushing.

Drano^® Max Build-Up Remover works over a longer time period to prevent clogged drains. Used regularly, it can help keep your drains flowing freely. It contains helpful microorganisms that release enzymes to break down residue. For preventive drain cleaning, you can use Drano^® Max Build-Up Remover in drains, toilets and even septic systems. Apply Drano^® Max Build-Up Remover overnight or before you go to work, then wait 6 to 8 hours before running warm (not hot) water down treated drains or flushing treated toilets.

NOPE. Drano^® will not damage pipes or plumbing.

Drano^® products are powerful enough to dissolve nasty clogs, but they will not harm your plastic or metal pipes, so there’s no need to worry. In fact, Drano^® Max Gel Clog Remover contains a special ingredient that prevents pipe corrosion.

Be aware, however, there are other drain uncloggers on the market that could cause damage.

Avoid acidic chemical cleaners that contain sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid, which can damage porcelain, metal and almost any other material when used incorrectly. Sulfuric acid is slightly less damaging to metal plumbing but can still damage aluminum, stainless steel and porcelain. These chemical cleaners should be used as a last resort—and only by a professional.

All Drano^® products are safe and can be used with plastic pipes or metal pipes. Just follow the label directions so you can clear that clog safely.

No, all Drano^® products are septic safe drain cleaners and will not upset the bacterial action in septic systems. Follow the package instructions for the right amount of product to use. Use Drano^® Max Build-Up Remover on a monthly basis to replenish the bacteria in the septic system that help break down toilet paper and organic matter in pipes.

The only form of Drano^® product recommended for use in a slow toilet is Drano^® Max Build-Up Remover. When used according to label directions, the microorganisms in this product will break down toilet paper and organic matter in pipes, which can slow water flow. (This product will NOT open a completely clogged toilet.)

Do not use any other Drano^® product in toilets, as they do not contain microorganisms. Also, the trap configuration in toilets prevents these products from reaching areas where matter can accumulate and cause plumbing problems – so these products are ineffective in toilets.

Drano^® Liquid Drain Cleaner, Drano^® Dual-Force^® Foamer Clog Remover, and Drano^® Max Gel Clog Remover do not contain microorganisms. The trap configuration in toilets prevents these products from reaching areas where matter can accumulate and cause plumbing problems—so these products are ineffective in toilets.

Yes, Drano^® plastic bottles contain up to 30% post-consumer recycled plastic material. In addition, they are recyclable, so after you unclog your drain, please rinse, re-cap and recycle the plastic bottle.

Drano^® Dual-Force^® Foamer Clog Remover will not harm sink or tub surfaces and fixtures (including materials like plastic, porcelain, ceramic or metal), when used on clogged drains according to label directions. Product may foam up from the drain; this is normal. Let the product finish foaming and then rinse the foam down the drain with a minimal amount of water.

Drano^® Snake Plus Tool + Gel System was designed to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, bathtub and even a laundry drain. However, sometimes inserting the tool takes a couple of additional steps.

Often, drain grates and other clog-preventing mechanisms cover the opening of the drain, making it difficult to insert the tool. If you’re working on a clogged shower drain, a tub drain, a kitchen drain or a laundry drain, you may encounter a drain grate. Simply remove the grate using a screwdriver and then insert the Drano^® Snake Plus Tool + Gel System tool.

If your drain has a stopper, try rotating the stopper, then remove it using an up-and-out pulling motion. Occasionally, the stopper will be attached to the pipe in which case you’ll need to go under the sink and remove the screw or bolt from the vertical shaft. Then pull the rod out from the pipe and finally pull the stopper out of the sink.

If you’re having difficulty maneuvering a drain with a shallow vertical pipe, such as a bathtub, you may have difficulty fully inserting the tool. Try angling the tool away from you while inserting and slowly work past the bend in the pipe.

Sometimes drains are too clogged to be treated with just a gel alone—that’s why we created the Drano^® Snake Plus Tool + Gel System. By manually loosening the clog in the pipe with the tool first, the concentrated gel can then power through and completely unclog the drain (even the most stubborn ones).

No. After you unclog the drain, the Drano^® Snake Plus Tool + Gel System wand (and the clog remnants) should be promptly thrown away for both sanitary and safety reasons.