How to Clean a Shower Drain (Hair, Clogs and Smells)
Standing in ankle-deep water while you shower, or noticing a musty smell coming from the drain, are sure signs your shower drain needs attention. Most slow or smelly shower drains are caused by a buildup of hair, soap scum and body products. The good news is that you can usually fix it in under 30 minutes without calling a plumber. Here is exactly how to clean a shower drain with simple tools and household ingredients.
Quick answer: To clean a shower drain, remove the drain cover, pull out trapped hair with gloves or a plastic drain snake, then pour hot water down the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar, let it fizz for 15 minutes, and flush again with hot water. Use a hair catcher and repeat monthly to prevent clogs and odors.
Why Shower Drains Get Clogged and Smelly
- Hair: the number one cause; it tangles and catches everything else.
- Soap scum: bar soap and hard water leave a sticky residue that builds up.
- Body products: conditioners, oils and scrubs add to the gunk.
- Bacteria and biofilm: trapped debris starts to smell musty or like rotten eggs.
What You Need
- Rubber gloves
- A screwdriver (if your cover is screwed in)
- A plastic drain snake or hair removal tool, or tweezers
- Baking soda and white vinegar
- A kettle of hot or boiling water
- An old toothbrush for the drain cover
How to Clean a Shower Drain Step by Step
1. Remove the drain cover
Most shower drain covers either unscrew with a screwdriver or pop out with a little pressure. Set the cover aside and scrub it later with an old toothbrush and soapy water.
2. Pull out the hair
Put on gloves and pull out any hair you can see. Then push a plastic drain snake (an inexpensive barbed strip) down the drain, twist it and pull it back up slowly. It usually brings up a surprising clump of hair and gunk. Repeat until it comes up clean.
3. Pour hot water down the drain
Slowly pour a kettle of very hot water down the drain to soften soap scum. If you have older PVC pipes, use hot tap water instead of boiling water to avoid damaging them.
4. Use baking soda and vinegar
Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a plug or cloth and let it fizz for 15 to 30 minutes. This helps break up residue and freshen the drain.
5. Flush again
Finish with another kettle of hot water to wash away loosened debris. Run the shower for a minute to check that the water drains quickly.
6. Replace the cover and prevent future clogs
Put the clean cover back and add a hair catcher on top. A weekly flush with hot water keeps things moving.
How to Fix a Smelly Shower Drain
| Cause of smell | What to do |
|---|---|
| Hair and gunk buildup | Remove hair and clean with baking soda and vinegar |
| Dry P-trap (rarely used shower) | Run water for a minute to refill the trap |
| Biofilm on drain walls | Scrub the opening with a drain brush and flush with hot water |
| Sewer gas or a smell that will not go away | Check for venting or leak problems; call a plumber |
When to Use a Plunger or Call a Plumber
If the drain is still slow after cleaning, try a plunger: cover the overflow (if any), add a little water to the shower floor and plunge firmly for 20 to 30 seconds. Call a licensed plumber if water backs up into other drains, you hear gurgling from toilets, or nothing improves after several tries, since the clog may be deeper in the pipes.
Tips to Keep Your Shower Drain Clean
- Use a hair catcher and empty it after every shower
- Brush long hair before showering
- Flush the drain with hot water once a week
- Repeat the baking soda and vinegar treatment monthly
- Switch to liquid soap if bar soap scum builds up quickly
Frequently Asked Questions
What dissolves hair in a shower drain?
Enzyme-based drain cleaners can break down hair over time, but pulling hair out with a drain snake is the fastest and most reliable fix.
Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaners?
They can work, but they are harsh on pipes and skin and can be dangerous if mixed with other cleaners. Follow the label carefully, never mix products, and try mechanical methods first.
How often should I clean my shower drain?
Empty the hair catcher daily, flush with hot water weekly and do a deeper clean with baking soda and vinegar about once a month.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to clean a shower drain saves you time, money and a call to the plumber. Remove the cover, pull out the hair, flush with hot water and finish with baking soda and vinegar. A simple hair catcher will keep it flowing. For another easy home fix, see how to clean a dryer vent.
Always follow product labels and wear gloves when cleaning drains. Never mix chemical drain cleaners with vinegar, bleach or other cleaners, as this can create dangerous fumes.
