15 Common Drain Clog Questions + How To Fix Them

1. Can Baby Powder Clog A Drain?

It’s doubtful that baby powder is the source of your clogged drain. Although the powder doesn’t dissolve, it’s very fine. Therefore, you’d have to put a massive amount of powder down the drain to clog it.

2. Can Drano Make A Clog Worse?

Many plumbers advise against using Drano to deal with clogs. Typically, this is because the chemicals in many cleaners could cause pipes to corrode. Sometimes, it’s because Drano doesn’t work on all types of clogs, so it has the potential to build up around the clog and sit, leading to pipe corrosion.

The build-up could also potentially make the clog worse or break it up enough to move further down the line and form a new clog. However, on their page, Drano and SC Johnson claim that Drano Max Gel Clog Remover contains a special ingredient. This ingredient prevents the product from corroding pipes.

Still, it’s essential to keep in mind other cleaning products you might use before or after using Drano. If the two different products combine in your pipes, it could cause a chemical reaction that can create some nasty fumes.

When to Use Drano for a Clogged Drain

According to Drano, their cleaners are safe for pipes, but they warn to avoid using other chemical cleaners. Specifically, they recommend steering clear of products containing sulfuric or hydrochloric acid. These acids can damage various materials, like your pipes, when misused.

If you do use Drano products, it’s imperative to follow the instructions on the label to the letter. Most guidelines usually advise waiting for a specific period after pouring the Drano and then flushing the drain with hot water. Still, with all of the debate surrounding Drano and other chemical cleaners, it’s worth attempting other unclogging methods first.

3. Does Epsom Salt Clog Drains?

You shouldn’t have any issue with Epsom salts clogging your drains, especially if they’re fully dissolved. In fact, some people even use Epsom salts as part of different DIY methods to unclog drains. Therefore, if you’re concerned, simply ensure the salts dissolve before draining your tub.

4. Does Shaving Cream Clog Drains?

You might be surprised to learn that shaving cream will clog your drain. Especially if you regularly shave in your sink and don’t take any precautions to protect your drain. Shaving cream will build up over time and form a sludge along with soap and other materials.

Also, often, with shaving cream comes the hair you’re shaving, so it all goes down the drain. So, instead of letting everything go down the sink and rinsing your blade under the faucet, use a bowl. Fill a bowl with hot water to rinse your blade, and put a good hair catcher in your drain.

After shaving, wipe any hair out of the sink and let hot water run down the drain for a couple of minutes. This will help dissolve any shaving lather that might be hanging out inside the pipes.

5. Does Coconut Oil Clog Drains?

Coconut oil can potentially clog your drain, especially if used in a cold shower or bath or cold conditions. This is because coconut oil typically melts at 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, if you use it at a temperature below this, it can harden and clog your pipes.

But, if you use it in a hot shower, let the hot water run for a bit after the oil goes down the drain. If you do this, you shouldn’t have an issue.

6. Does Denture Adhesive Clog Drains?

Denture adhesives like Fixodent and other products dissolve in hot water but can still build up over time if frequently flushed down the drain. This build-up can cause a clog.

Therefore, it’s best to toss denture adhesives in the trash. If the adhesive does go down the drain, ensure to run hot water for several minutes to help it dissolve.

7. Does Castile Soap Clog Drains?

You probably wouldn’t think soap would cause a drain clog, but Castile soap contains a high oil and fat content. These ingredients gunk up your pipes and build up, causing scummy clogs.

8. Do Coffee Grinds Clog Drains?

Tossing your coffee grinds down the drain can certainly cause a clog. Coffee grinds can clump together, especially if they mix with other substances like grease and oil.

So, toss coffee grinds in the trash, or better yet, use them for composting. You can even use coffee grinds to create exfoliating scrubs and facial masks. (But don’t rinse them down the drain.)

9. Can Short Hair Clog A Drain?

Small pieces of short hair here and there likely won’t cause your drain much issue, unlike long hair, which can create giant hairballs. But, rinse enough of it down the drain, and it can cause problems. It builds up over time and mixes with other materials like soap scum and grease.

The rule of thumb is, don’t put any hair down your drain. It doesn’t matter if it’s short, long, human hair, or pet hair. Throw it in the garbage can instead.

10. Do Detergent Pods Clog A Drain?

There have been recent claims that detergent pods can cause clogged drains, but these are mostly unfounded. The pods are designed to dissolve fully and flow through the plumbing system with no problem. However, this is when they are used appropriately.

11. Do Bath Bombs Clog Drains?

While bath bombs are meant to go in the tub, they can still clog your drain. Although the likelihood can vary based on how often you use bath bombs and what’s inside them. Many bath bombs contain Epsom salts and baking soda, which dissolve in water.

However, a lot of bath bombs also contain essential oils, cocoa butter, and even bits of glitter or flowers. These items can definitely get stuck inside of your pipes and cause a clog. Therefore, use a strainer over your tub drain whenever using bath bombs.

If you notice things like glitter or other particles in the water, use a mesh strainer to get them out before draining the tub. Lastly, run hot water down your tub drain for a couple of minutes after using a bath bomb.

12. Do Essential Oils Clog Drains?

Essential oils typically won’t clog your drain, mainly since you commonly use them in minimal amounts. For example, many different scrubs and other products containing essential oils only call for one or two drops. Plus, essential oils are often diluted when using them in things like natural household cleaners.

However, some oils, like lavender oil, olive oil, etc., can harden up in your pipes, similar to coconut oil. Therefore, it’s best to use essential oils sparingly when it comes to your drains.

13. Does Grease Or Fat Clog Drains?

Grease and fat account for a good portion of drain clogs, especially in kitchen sinks. Over time, these materials solidify and form into gunk that can cause some significant (and gross) clogs.

It’s best to wipe down plates and pots before washing them in your sink. Also, you can use a fat catcher in your drain to let water drain through, but larger particles stay put.

If there are excessive amounts of oil, grease, or fat in your pots and pans, pour it into an old container or can. Cover it and toss it in the garbage instead of washing it down your drain.

14. Do Body Scrubs Clog Drains?

As relaxing as body scrubs can be, the clogs they can leave behind aren’t so relaxing. The problem is, many scrubs contain ingredients like coconut oil and microbeads that can cause clogs.

If you plan to use a body scrub in the shower or tub, use a filter to catch the larger chunks. After your bath or shower, toss out the pieces, then flush the drain with hot water for several minutes to try and keep the oils moving.

15. Does Acrylic Paint Clog Drains?

You might assume because acrylic paints are typically water-based, they’re safe to toss down the drain. In reality, this can not only cause environmental issues, but it can eventually clog your drain as well.

It’s best to rinse off paintbrushes in a bucket of soapy water instead and dispose of the buckets with hazardous waste collections. The recommendation is to mix paint with twice as much cat litter to get it to clump and throw it in the garbage.