Clogged drains often stem from one notorious culprit: hair. Soap scum and fats can certainly contribute, but strands of hair form stubborn tangles that slow or completely block water flow. Drugstore shelves overflow with liquid and crystal “drain openers” promising to clear hair in minutes. But do they deliver?
In the YouTube video titled “Do Drain Cleaners Actually Unclog Hair? The Truth Revealed!”, Roger Wakefield and Squirt set out to test seven popular products. They snip real human hair, place it in jars, and pour each cleaner according to the directions. After half an hour and again at one hour, they filter the chemicals out—looking for signs of dissolved hair. The results might shock you.
Below, we’ll detail each step of the experiment, from collecting the hair (let’s just say Squirt wasn’t thrilled) to the final disposal. You’ll see how well each product fared at melting hair clumps and what to keep in mind if you choose a chemical drain cleaner at home.
Important: Most chemical drain cleaners can be extremely hazardous. Wear gloves and eye protection, avoid mixing products, and warn a professional plumber if you used them prior to a service call.
The Setup
Collecting the Hair
Real human hair is the best way to replicate actual bathroom clogs. Roger does it the “old-fashioned way,” using scissors (with questionable technique) on Squirt’s hair. Once they gather enough, they distribute it evenly into seven jars—one for each drain product.
Why Real Hair?
Synthetic materials or “wig hair” may not react the same. Human hair has natural keratin and oils that can behave differently with various cleaners.
Safety Gear
Given the range of chemicals (lye, sulfuric acid, etc.), Roger and Squirt don’t take chances:
- Gloves to avoid chemical burns.
- Safety Glasses to protect eyes from splashes and fumes.
- Ventilation or a well-ventilated barn area so they’re not overwhelmed by toxic vapors.
The Seven Products
- Drano Max Gel
- Liquid-Plumr
- Clean Shot (sulfuric acid-based)
- Green Gobbler Liquid
- Green Gobbler “Sticks” (preventive, dissolve-slowly type)
- BioOne (enzyme/fat-eating formula)
- Pure Lye Crystals
Some specify using cold water, others require hot water, and a few come as crystals or sticks that dissolve gradually.
The 30-Minute Mark
After pouring each product into a jar containing hair, they wait 30 minutes before filtering them out through a small strainer.
- Drano Max Gel
- Observation: Hair still appears mostly intact, though slightly slimy.
- Verdict: Minimal dissolution at 30 minutes.
- Liquid-Plumr
- Observation: Similar to Drano; hair clump is present, no major melting.
- Verdict: Only partial breakdown, if any.
- Clean Shot (Sulfuric Acid)
- Observation: Steamy chemical reaction, but hair is not gone. Instead, it forms a gel-like blob.
- Verdict: Smelly, very corrosive, but hair remains.
- Green Gobbler Liquid
- Observation: Thick, slimy substance enveloping the hair. Some partial breakdown is suspected.
- Verdict: Slight improvement, but still not fully dissolved.
- Green Gobbler Sticks
- Observation: No real change. These sticks are meant for preventing buildup, not dissolving an existing clump.
- Verdict: No dissolution at 30 minutes.
- BioOne
- Observation: This is for grease/fat breakdown (FOG). No visible effect on hair.
- Verdict: Hair remains; not designed for hair dissolution.
- Pure Lye Crystals
- Observation: Hair is gone. At just 30 minutes, the jar is nearly hair-free.
- Verdict: Remarkable success. The lye solution evidently dissolved the hair completely.
Takeaway: At the 30-minute checkpoint, pure lye is the clear winner. Everything else left a substantial portion (if not all) of the hair intact.
The 60-Minute Mark
Another half-hour passes, and they repeat the filtering process to see if there’s additional breakdown.
- Drano Max Gel
- Outcome: Some slight breakdown, but hair strands remain.
- Conclusion: Doesn’t fully dissolve a hair clog in one hour.
- Liquid-Plumr
- Outcome: Hair is still present, though softened or slimy.
- Conclusion: No substantial hair dissolution.
- Clean Shot (Sulfuric Acid)
- Outcome: Caustic reaction, thick sludge, but the hair is still somewhat there in globs.
- Conclusion: Not fully dissolved. Potentially hazardous fumes.
- Green Gobbler Liquid
- Outcome: Slight improvement over the 30-minute mark, but hair remains as a gelled mass.
- Conclusion: Partial breakdown at best.
- Green Gobbler Sticks
- Outcome: No difference.
- Conclusion: They’re preventive; not for immediate clogs.
- BioOne
- Outcome: No effect on hair.
- Conclusion: Good for grease or organic matter, not hair clumps.
- Pure Lye Crystals
- Outcome: Zero hair. Complete dissolution from earlier remains consistent.
- Conclusion: The undisputed champion.
Key Findings and Warnings
1. Pure Lye: Effective But Use Caution
- Pros: Clearly dissolves hair when used properly. If your clog is purely hair-based, this can be a powerful solution.
- Cons: Extremely caustic. Splashes or inhalation can cause severe injury. Must be handled with gloves, goggles, and in a well-ventilated area.
2. Liquid Drain Cleaners May Fall Short
- Drano, Liquid-Plumr, etc.: Better at loosening soap scum or minor grime than completely dissolving hair. If hair is your main clog culprit, these might not solve it.
3. Preventive Products Like “Sticks”
- Meant for Maintenance: They slowly release enzymes that keep drains from developing buildup. They won’t clear an existing solid clump of hair.
4. Bio-Enzyme Formulas Target Fats
- BioOne: Good for grease or “FOG” (Fats, Oils, Grease), less so for hair. It’s gentler on pipes but not the tool you want for heavy hair stoppages.
5. Sulfuric Acid Cleaners Are Risky
- High Fumes and Potential Damage: Even though acid typically breaks down organic matter, the results here show it’s not as effective on hair in short timeframes, and it can damage your pipes or pose extreme hazards if used incorrectly.
Alternatives to Chemical Drain Cleaners
- Manual Methods
- Snake or Auger: Physically pulls hair clumps out.
- Zip-Tie Hack: Cut notches in a long zip-tie to snag hair.
- Removing the P-Trap: Often, clogs are right there in the trap.
- Professional Tools
- Kinetic Water Ram: For blasting out clogs without harsh chemicals.
- Professional Snaking and Jetting: Plumbers use high-powered machines for tougher obstructions.
- Preventive Maintenance
- Hair Catchers: In shower or tub drains, a small strainer can intercept hair.
- Routine Flushing: Occasionally run hot water and mild detergent to rinse away soap scum.
Tips for Using Chemicals Safely
If you do opt for a chemical product, keep these safety rules in mind:
- Read the Label
- Each product has specific directions about water temperature, wait times, and quantity.
- Protect Yourself
- Wear gloves, long sleeves, goggles, and even a mask or respirator to avoid fumes.
- Avoid Mixing
- Combining different drain cleaners or adding bleach to acid-based solutions can create toxic fumes or explosive reactions.
- Warn Your Plumber
- If you end up needing professional help, let them know which product you’ve used and when. This protects them from chemical burns or inhalation hazards.
- Keep Kids and Pets Away
- Store chemicals in a locked cabinet or high shelf. If spilled, neutralize and clean immediately.
Conclusion
Do drain cleaners actually dissolve hair? Based on Roger and Squirt’s side-by-side test:
- Pure Lye Crystals are the clear winner, dissolving hair in under 30 minutes.
- Other liquid gels and powders mostly fell short, leaving clumps of hair intact after an hour.
While lye might excel at dissolving hair, it’s also highly caustic. Handle it with extreme caution, following all safety guidelines. And remember, no chemical solution is universally safe or guaranteed—especially if your clog involves deeper issues or a tangle of wipes, grease, and debris.
When in doubt, manual removal with a drain snake or calling a professional plumber could save time, frustration, and potential damage to your pipes. Still, if hair is your only problem and you’re prepared for careful chemical handling, pure lye may well be your best bet.
