Slow shower drain? There's a hair clog under the cover
How to clean a shower drain
Lift or unscrew the drain cover, pull the hair clog out with gloves or a plastic drain snake, scrub the cover and trap with an old toothbrush and washing-up liquid, then flush with hot (not boiling) water. Clear the hair once a week so it never builds up.
Wear gloves. Don't pour boiling water into plastic pipes or onto an acrylic shower tray. Skip chemical drain unblockers if you can; if one is already in the drain, don't add anything else and don't plunge, because it can splash. Never mix drain cleaners with bleach, vinegar or any other product: they can react and release toxic gas.
Never mix cleaning products. Bleach plus ammonia, vinegar or other acids releases toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between them, ventilate, and unplug appliances before you clean them.
Part of: The 15-minute bathroom reset · Printable weekly cleaning checklist
Step by step
- Put on rubber gloves and lift off or unscrew the drain cover
- Pull out the hair and gunk with your fingers or a cheap plastic drain snake, and bin it: never flush it back down
- If the drain has a removable cup or trap, lift it out and empty it too
- Scrub the cover and cup with an old toothbrush and a drop of washing-up liquid, then rinse
- Refit everything and run the hot tap for a minute, or pour a jug of hot (not boiling) water down
- Fit a hair catcher and empty it every few showers
FAQ
How to clean a shower drain?
Lift or unscrew the drain cover, pull the hair clog out with gloves or a plastic drain snake, scrub the cover and trap with an old toothbrush and washing-up liquid, then flush with hot (not boiling) water. Clear the hair once a week so it never builds up.
What are the steps to clean a shower drain?
1. Put on rubber gloves and lift off or unscrew the drain cover. 2. Pull out the hair and gunk with your fingers or a cheap plastic drain snake, and bin it: never flush it back down. 3. If the drain has a removable cup or trap, lift it out and empty it too. 4. Scrub the cover and cup with an old toothbrush and a drop of washing-up liquid, then rinse. 5. Refit everything and run the hot tap for a minute, or pour a jug of hot (not boiling) water down. 6. Fit a hair catcher and empty it every few showers.
Is it safe to clean a shower drain at home?
Yes, with care. Wear gloves. Don't pour boiling water into plastic pipes or onto an acrylic shower tray. Skip chemical drain unblockers if you can; if one is already in the drain, don't add anything else and don't plunge, because it can splash. Never mix drain cleaners with bleach, vinegar or any other product: they can react and release toxic gas. Never mix cleaning products. Bleach plus ammonia, vinegar or other acids releases toxic gases. Use one product at a time, rinse between them, ventilate, and unplug appliances before you clean them.