Chemical drain cleaner swap to Plunger and hair catcher

Why make the swap

• Why switch to plunger and hair catcher

  A plunger pushes the clog through with water pressure, so nothing caustic goes down the drain or near your hands and eyes.

• What's the concern with chemical drain cleaner

  Chemical drain openers rely on lye, bleach or strong acid, which can cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Among US kids under 6, alkaline cleaners like drain and oven openers cause the most serious cleaning-product injuries.

• General information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or have a health condition.

• Good to know before you buy

  Run enough water to cover the cup, block the overflow hole with a damp cloth, then plunge firmly several times. A steel hair catcher in the drain helps stop the next clog. If a clog won’t move, a steel drain snake or a plumber is the next step.

• Sources (2)

  1. US poison centers: drain cleaners had the highest share of major outcomes among cleaning-product eye exposures (Kamboj 2020) (opens in a new tab)
  2. US poison data, kids under 6: alkaline cleaners, especially drain and oven cleaners, caused the most serious injuries (Pacini 2023) (opens in a new tab)

  Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.