Our review aims to cover the ingredients, price, specs, and performance of each. We did the research (with actual first-hand tests!) so you can choose the best clog fighter for your family.
Table of Contents
Why We Chose Liquid-Plumr and Drano
Overview of Liquid-Plumr
Liquid-Plumr is a product produced by Clorox Corp. It has been around for quite a while and was officially acquired by Clorox in 1969. Before Liquid-Plumr came on the scene, competitor Drano had a hold on the sink clog cleaning market. However, through intense marketing, Liquid-Plumr was able to seize about half of its consumers.
Why were buyers persuaded? Well, as a liquid drain opener and cleaner, it was pretty easy to use. Additionally, Liquid-Plumr is safe for copper pipes, septic systems, PVC, and plastic. Only rubber piping is not compatible with Liquid-Plumr. It generally takes just fifteen minutes to clear a clog and clean your sink.
- DESTROYS CLOGS: Liquid-Plumr drain clog remover destroys clogs to clear fully blocked and slow flowing drains
- WORKS ON MULTIPLE CLOG TYPES: This liquid drain cleaner tackles the toughest clogs from hair, grease, and soap scum.Clean up any spillage immediatel
- SAFE ON ALL PIPES: Made with Pipeguard, this Liquid-Plumr drain opener protects pipes and is safe for septic systems, disposals and pipes, including PVC, plastic, copper and old drain pipes
How Liquid-Plumr Works
Clorox’s Liquid-Plumr has two main ingredients: sodium hydroxide (lye) and sodium hypochlorite (bleach). On their own though, these two chemicals can’t clear a sink; they need water. When water is added to the mixture, a chemical reaction occurs. The sodium hydroxide generates heat and becomes corrosive, meaning it can break down other matter. This is great news for you and your clogged pipes. As the corrosive liquid slides down your pipes, it helps to disintegrate whatever organic materials it comes into contact with; be it food, grease buildup, or other unpleasant unmentionables. The bleach helps to tackle tougher things like hair and makeup.
Other ingredients found in Liquid-Plumr help to cut down on foam and encourage the chemical reaction. The addition of Pipe Guard coating protects pipes while the thick gel clears the drain and flushes out debris.
When it’s all said and done, the ingredients in Liquid-Plumr break down rapidly, stopping the chemical reaction. This is so that no damage occurs to your septic system, like a degradation of the helpful bacteria found there that break down waste.
Overview of Drano
We’ve covered that Drano was already available when Liquid-Plumr arrived in 1969, however, it looked a bit different than the product we are used to using today. Drano started as crystals in the early 1920s. In 1965 Bristol-Myers acquired the Drano company until 1992 when it was sold to S.C. Johnson.
Drano crystals are still available today, but there is also a gel version of Drano. The gel/liquid version tends to be the most popular and was a direct result of Clorox’s introduction of Liquid-Plumr. There are other types of Drano too. Most are safe for all pipes aside from PVC, though one is specifically formulated for the toilet. Like its competitor, Drano is user-friendly and fast!
- Formulated thick to dissolve the tough clogs fast
- Cuts through standing water straight to the clog
- Safe on PVC, metal pipes, garbage disposals and septic systems
How Drano Works
Drano may have a few more ingredients, but it works much the same. The primary compounds found in Drano are sodium hydroxide (lye) and sodium hypochlorite (bleach), sodium silicate, and aluminum. The lye, when mixed with the aluminum becomes very caustic, reaching near-boiling temperatures. Other compounds perform chemical reactions as well, allowing the gel to break down and dissolve a variety of materials.
The gel goes from a thick, viscous liquid. To a hot, foamy, and corrosive liquid that effortlessly dissolves clogs, allowing the water to wash them away. Drano is extremely potent, hence why it shouldn’t be used on PVC pipes. The specially formulated toilet Drano is safe for both your toilet bowl and your septic system and is the only one recommended for use in that scenario.
Similarities Between Drano and Liquid-Plumr
- Can be poured into/through standing water.
- Safe for most pipes, drains, and septic systems.
- Nearly identical composition.
- Both are a fast-acting gel.
- Each has a specially formulated toilet version.
- Both help to protect pipes and improve water flow.
Pros and Cons of Liquid-Plumr
Pros
- Fast-acting
- Thinner consistency
- Can be used after a primary treatment
- Ideal for completely clogged drains
Cons
- A bit pricier
- More toxic than Drano
Pros and Cons of Drano
Pros
- Less-toxic
- More affordable
- Great for stubborn clogs
- Better for slow-moving or partial clogs
Cons
- Thicker and takes slightly longer to work
- Cannot be used after a primary treatment
Varieties of Both Products
Versions of Liquid-Plumr
- Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Gel (the version we tested)
- Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Plus Urgent Clear
- Liquid-Plumr Industrial Strength Gel
- Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Plus Hair Clog Eliminator
- Liquid-Plumr Disposal and Drain Cleaner
- Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Plus Foaming Clog Fighter
- Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Plus PipeGuard
- Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Plus Double Impact Snake
- 3-in-1 Liquid-Plumr Full Clog Destroyer unclogs drains, prevents clogs with regular monthly use and protects pipes guaranteed, or your money back
- Cuts through standing water to clear total blockages and unclogs slow-running drains, destroying hair, grease and soap scum
- PipeGuard prevents pipes from being damaged while you destroy the clog, making Full Clog Destroyer safe to use throughout your home
- PipeGuard technology protects pipes and keeps pipes clog free with a repellent barrier that prevents grime from sticking to pipe walls
- 3-in-1 Liquid-Plumr Full Clog Destroyer unclogs drains, prevents clogs with regular monthly use and protects pipes guaranteed, or your money back
- Cuts through standing water to clear total blockages and unclogs slow-running drains, destroying hair, grease and soap scum
- PipeGuard prevents pipes from being damaged while you destroy the clog, making Full Clog Destroyer safe to use throughout your home
Versions of Drano
- Drano Max Gel (the version we tested)
- Drano Kitchen Granules
- Drano Max Build-Up Remover
- Drano Snake Plus
- Drano Kitchen Gel
- Drano Dual Force Foamer
- Drano Liquid Drain Cleaner
- Drano Advanced Septic Treatment
- Drano Hair Buster Gel
- Safe for Toilets and Septic Systems
- Contains no phosphorus
- Expanding foam fills the whole pipe, attacking clog causing build-up that ordinary liquids can’t
- Removes source of odors
- Helps clean garbage disposals and leaves them smelling fresh
How We Tested
We decided to test both Drano and Liquid-Plumr in shower/tub drains that were draining much slower than usual. We did not use any other cleaning agent prior to the tests to truly test the effectiveness of the products. The tests were done within the same hour in order to try and keep the elements and settings equal.
To test, we poured the solutions down the drains according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, we observed. Finally, we flushed the system with hot water before reviewing the results of how well the Drano and Liquid-Plumr unclogged the drains.
The two specific products we tested were Drano Max Gel and Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Gel.
Ingredients of Both Products
Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Gel:
- Water
- Sodium Hypochlorite
- Sodium Chloride
- Sodium Xylene Sulfonate
- Sodium Orthosilicate
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Cetyl Betaine
- Potassium Iodide
- Pigment Green 7
Drano Max Gel Liquid:
- Water
- Lauric Acid
- Sodium Hypochlorite
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Polystyrene Polymer
- Capric Acid
- Amine Oxide
- Sodium Silicate
Cost Comparison
Of course, where you purchase these products can vary the price. Most box stores, home improvement stores, and even grocery stores carry Drano and Liquid-Plumr. You can also find them at online retailers. To compare the price we decided to use one of the most popular shopping options, Amazon, because it is perhaps the most widely available and accessible to the greatest number of consumers.
On Amazon, Drano Max Gel in an 80oz bottle retails for $8.19, while an 80oz bottle of Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Gel sells for $13.99. Thankfully, each brand tends to be pretty inexpensive so hopefully, price shouldn’t be an issue.
The cost is, of course, dependent upon bottle size, and can range from around $8.00 – $40 per bottle. Liquid-Plumr is generally a bit pricier than Drano. For both products, most bottles provide enough product for several clogs. If you are hoping to save a bit of money, purchasing either product in bulk can be a better deal.
Drain Cleaning Effectiveness
As you may have noticed, both the gel versions of Liquid-Plumr and Drano have very similar chemical formulas. As a result, they have a very comparable consistency and their recommendations for use are almost exact. They both help to clean drains and improve water flow. Liquid-Plumr and Drano are safe for garbage disposals, waste disposals, most pipes (with a few exceptions), and septic tanks. They can be poured through standing water if you have an exceptionally tough clog.
So, how do these very similar products compare in terms of effectiveness?
Liquid-Plumr dissolved the suspected hair and dirt clog and cleared our pipes in under ten minutes. Drano seemed to take a little bit longer at around twenty-four minutes. Both removed the blockage effectively though, and there were no additional issues or clogs noticed three days later.
The Best Drain Cleaner
The consistency of Liquid-Plumr is thinner and a bit easier to work with. Due to its ingredients, it is safe to use after a primary cleaner. We found these characteristics make it fast-acting and able to clear fully clogged drains. The version of Drano we used was less toxic and more eco-friendly. We appreciated that its added ingredients helped protect our pipes against corrosion and that it was less expensive.
That said, for us, Liquid-Plumr clearly came out on top. It cleaned the drain and cleared the clog fast. The thinner consistency of Liquid-Plumr enabled it to move down the drain more rapidly and break down stubborn debris quickly and efficiently. Despite it being a little more expensive, we were impressed with its ability to clear pipes and tackle even the most stubborn of clogs with minimal time and effort.
- DESTROYS CLOGS: Liquid-Plumr drain clog remover destroys clogs to clear fully blocked and slow flowing drains
- WORKS ON MULTIPLE CLOG TYPES: This liquid drain cleaner tackles the toughest clogs from hair, grease, and soap scum.Clean up any spillage immediatel
- SAFE ON ALL PIPES: Made with Pipeguard, this Liquid-Plumr drain opener protects pipes and is safe for septic systems, disposals and pipes, including PVC, plastic, copper and old drain pipes
Tips for Keeping Your Drain Clean
Though these products are wonderful, no one likes a clog and it would be great if you didn’t require them in the first place! Here are a few suggestions for keeping your drain clean and clear.
Keep Coffee Grounds, Food, and Grease Out of The Drain
These things tend to build up and become trapped. Kitchen grease especially is a common culprit of clogs. Don’t wash it down the drain, instead keep it in a small, sealable container for disposal in the trash.
Don’t Abuse Your Garbage Disposal
Try to put the bulk of leftover food in the trash, not in the garbage disposal.
Cover Your Tub and Shower Drains with a Mesh Cover
These are specially designed to trap hair (which is responsible for most clogs) and other materials that can lead to build-up and blockages.
Brush Your Hair Before
To cut down on hair going down the drain, brush your hair before showering or soaking in a bathtub.
Keep The Flushing to Toilet Paper
Toilet drains aren’t designed to handle much else aside from waste and toilet tissue. Never flush feminine hygiene products, dental floss, or other household waste or items down the toilet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there certain types of drains that these drain cleaners work on?
Liquid-Plumr works on all types of drains, and can be used in nearly any drain in your home. It is safe for tubs, sinks, and showers. However, it is not recommended for dishwashers and toilets, or drains that lead to rubber pipes.
Drano is equally safe for a variety of drains. It is recommended for everything but toilets, for which they have a specific cleaner.
Can you pour Liquid-Plumr and Drano through standing water?
Both Drano Gel Max and Liquid-Plumr can easily cut through standing water.
What kind of clogs will Liquid-Plumr and Drano clean?
Thankfully, both Drano and Liquid-Plumr work on various types of clogs. This includes hair, grease, dirt, debris, and soap scum. However, if you are looking for more targeted power, each has specific products tailored to different types of clogs.
Is it safe for the pipes to be using Liquid-Plumr or Drano?
Generally, Liquid-Plumr and Drano won’t cause damage to your pipes. Although, it is important to check what pipes are safe for your exact product version. As mentioned, Liquid-Plumr should not be used on rubber pipes. Drano shouldn’t be used on rubber pipes and shouldn’t be used frequently on PVC.
How about the septic system?
Both are septic system safe.
Is it safe to mix Liquid-Plumr and Drano with other products?
Mixing products directly with Drano or Liquid-Plumr is not safe. Liquid-Plumr is safe to use as a secondary treatment as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
What should you do if your skin comes into contact with the liquid drain cleaner?
Both these products are skin irritants and the area should be flushed with water immediately. If symptoms persist you should contact your doctor.
Final Thoughts
This was a pretty easy test to execute and we enjoyed performing this experiment to see which drain de-clogger would come out on top! Thankfully, the smell of both was not overpowering and the test was relatively quick. While Liquid-Plumr was certainly faster, both products turned out to be extremely effective. Each can help you dissolve your drain issue and protect your pipes.
- DESTROYS CLOGS: Liquid-Plumr drain clog remover destroys clogs to clear fully blocked and slow flowing drains
- WORKS ON MULTIPLE CLOG TYPES: This liquid drain cleaner tackles the toughest clogs from hair, grease, and soap scum.Clean up any spillage immediatel
- SAFE ON ALL PIPES: Made with Pipeguard, this Liquid-Plumr drain opener protects pipes and is safe for septic systems, disposals and pipes, including PVC, plastic, copper and old drain pipes