5 Best Drain Cleaners for Clogged Toilets in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Few things in everyday life are as frustrating as a clogged toilet or drain. It not only makes for an awful sight and smell, but it can also lead to disease. Research shows that blocked toilets and drains can cause sicknesses such as sepsis, pneumonia, and Legionnaires’ disease.

Fortunately, a few pumps from a plunger is usually enough to get things back to normal—most of the time. However, when that does not work, you will have a real problem on your hands. You can call an expert to handle it, though this usually results in a hefty bill.

The good news is that you have one last ace up your sleeve: drain cleaners. Some drain cleaners are better than others regarding efficiency and safety. If you have read numerous product reviews and cannot identify the best cleaner to use, you have come to the right place.

After testing numerous drain cleaning products, we created this comprehensive guide to the best drain cleaners for clogged toilets.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Thrift T-600	Fast-acting Can be used in all types of drains Safe to use	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		RID-X Septic Tank Enzyme Treatment	Can be used proactively Safe to use Safe for the environment	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Bio-Clean Drain	Safe to use Does not harm the environment Can be used proactively	CHECK PRICE
		Green Gobbler Ultimate Drain Cleaner	Safe for the environment Safe to use Works proactively	CHECK PRICE
		Drano Max Gel Clog Remover	Budget friendly Fast-acting Money-back guarantee	CHECK PRICE

The 5 Best Drain Cleaners for Clogged Toilets

Are you looking for the right drain cleaner? Tests, research, and user experiences have revealed the following to be the best drain cleaners on the market today.

1. Thrift T-600 Granular Drain Cleaner — Best Overall

If you are like most people who aren’t willing to wait the whole day for a product to “work its magic,” the T-600 Granular Drain Cleaner by Thrift is what you are looking for.

This alkaline-based drain cleaner has earned itself a reputation for clearing blocks that most other products have been unable to take care of. It also does so within record time, typically a few minutes.

The T-600 granular drain cleaner is effective not only at treating blocked toilets but also bathrooms, grease traps, kitchens, and sewer lines. Moreover, it does not have a damaging effect on polished brass, plastic, porcelain, or chrome. However, it can be damaging to aluminum. Additionally, it can burn your hands, so be sure to wear gloves during use.

Nevertheless, it is extremely easy to use, as there is no complicated mixing procedure involved. All you need to do is add the necessary amount of powder to the problem area. The next step is to pour hot water into the toilet to activate the granules.

Its fast-acting nature, ease of use, and relative safety are why we have it as the number-one product on this list.

2. RID-X Septic Tank Enzyme Treatment — Best Value

If the cause of your frustration is a backed-up septic tank, then we might have the perfect drain cleaner for you. In addition to clearing the blockage, this enzyme-based toilet drain cleaner prevents the obstruction from happening in the first place. The formula breaks down waste continuously, ensuring that your septic system stays insusceptible to waste backup.

A pack of RID-X has enough power to take care of a 1,500-gallon septic tank for up to 16 weeks, which makes it a cheap septic tank maintenance solution. Do not worry; this product will also solve the clogging problem in your toilet, as it attacks paper, protein, and oils. As mentioned, it is enzyme-based, containing active ingredients such as amylase, cellulase, lipase, and protease, which makes it safe to handle.

Moreover, it does not have a detrimental effect on the environment and is quite affordable. This makes it the best toilet drain cleaner for clogged toilets for the money

3. Bio-Clean Drain Septic Bacteria — Premium Choice

If you are conscious about the impact of your actions on the environment, the chances are that you want a drain cleaner that does not compromise those ideals for effectiveness. This drain cleaner by Bio-Clean is one such product.

It utilizes a proprietary blend of bacteria, as well as enzymes such as cellulose, amylase, protease, and lipase, to achieve its objectives. When you mix the powder with warm water and pour it into the toilet, those active ingredients work to digest any organic waste. This process involves converting the obstructing material into water, mineral ash, and carbon dioxide, which are harmless to the environment.

This means that it will not hurt you if it comes into contact with your skin. Nonetheless, it is still important to wear gloves when handling such products. This drain cleaner also does not have a detrimental effect on your plumbing since the bacteria and enzymes do not act on inorganic materials.

4. Green Gobbler Ultimate Drain Cleaner

This drain cleaner by Green Gobbler is one of the safest clog-clearing products. Its main weapon is a plant-based chemical known as lauramine oxide. This active ingredient does not result in adverse reaction when it comes to contact with your skin. However, it may cause irritation if you have sensitive skin. Fortunately, simply washing the area with cold water should alleviate the irritation.

This drain cleaner is especially effective at eliminating blockages resulting from grease, hair, paper, and wipes. It is also gentle on the environment, as well as the plumbing. In fact, this drain cleaner purposely clings onto your plumbing’s interior to prevent the risk of blockages.

It will also be a relief to learn that Green Gobbler’s Ultimate drain cleaner is easy to use. It’s a thick liquid that does not require mixing; you pour the recommended dose into the toilet, then flush it.

Unlike some drain cleaners, this product does not produce any gas or odor while in action. It is also non-flammable.

5. Drano Max Gel Clog Remover

If you are a victim of frequent blockages, the Drano Max Gel Clog Remover can come in handy. It is effective at its job while being budget-friendly. This alkaline-based drain cleaner is also one of the fastest-acting products on the market today, with some customers reporting that it cleared their blockage in as little as 7 minutes.

Nonetheless, even though being alkaline-based has much to do with this product’s effectiveness, it, unfortunately, has a detrimental effect on the environment. You also have to be careful when handling the liquid, as it can have a burning effect on the skin.

All in all, Drano Max Gel will get the job done.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Drain Cleaners for Clogged Toilets

So, what does a great drain cleaner entail? To answer that question, we will need to consider the following.

How Drain Cleaners Work

Drain cleaners are typically powders or liquids that contain chemicals that react with the obstructing material to dissolve it. Depending on the active ingredients in a drain cleaner, these products work to remove blockages using either one or more of the following mechanisms:

Heat

Alkaline-based or caustic drain cleaners achieve their objective by elevating the temperature of the area surrounding the blockage. The idea is to make the obstruction break down or melt, thereby dispersing it. They typically contain ingredients such as potassium hydroxide and lye.

Acid Hydrolysis

When you combine certain acids with water, a chemical reaction known as acid hydrolysis usually ensues. Acid hydrolysis yields a potent compound that is capable of dissolving most things. Nonetheless, due to the dangerous, corrosive nature of these products, they are best left to professionals to handle.

Oxidization

Oxidization is a process that involves breaking down a substance at a fundamental level by making it release electrons from its chemical structure. This usually involves a highly oxidative substance acting on the material, such as hypochlorites, nitrates, perchlorates, and peroxides. Doing this reduces the mass of the obtrusive material, thereby encouraging it to disperse.

Enzymatic Action

Drain cleaners that utilize this mechanism are the safest to use. Their active ingredients are enzymes and bacteria that eat away at organic material. Unfortunately, if the cause of the blockage is an inorganic substance, these drain cleaners will not be of any use.

Performance vs. Safety

Using the most powerful drain cleaner to unclog your toilet will be pointless if the consequences of its actions are damaged pipes and injuries.

On that note, consider the following:

Old Plumbing and Aluminum

If the plumbing in your house is old and showing signs of corrosion, avoid acid- and alkaline-based drain cleaners, as they will exacerbate the corrosion. Use enzyme-based products instead since they do not react with inorganic material.

Complete Blockages

A complete blockage does not allow for even the least amount of drainage to occur. If you have such a problem, do not utilize acid- and alkaline-based drain cleaners. They can get blocked and start corroding your pipes. The ideal solution to complete blockages is to have a professional check them out to avoid unnecessary damage.

Volume of Product

If your system is not prone to clogging, it makes economic sense to purchase a smaller amount of a product. However, if your toilet is prone to clogging, you will be better off purchasing a larger volume, as there are cost savings to be made by buying in bulk.

Nonetheless, a drain-cleaning product should just be part of the solution. If you are experiencing frequent blockages, there is a good chance that there’s an underlying problem that needs checking out.

Safety

Ultimately, you do not want to be working with products that can harm you, especially if you are using them regularly. Moreover, it is important to be conscious of the impact of your actions on the environment. As mentioned, acid- and alkaline-based drain cleaners can be dangerous to you and the environment.

Nonetheless, there comes a time when you have to use them. If that is the case, ensure that you adhere to the recommended safety protocols. For example, always wear heavy-duty gloves, an apron, and goggles when handling drain cleaners. For acid- or alkaline-based cleaners, wear a mask and open the windows to avoid inhaling the dangerous fumes.

The good news is that if you follow these precautions, you should have no reason to worry.

Conclusion

Clogged toilets are incredibly irritating. As mentioned, they not only make for sore sights and awful smells but can also be health hazards. Your plunger and drain cleaner form your first line of defense against clogged toilets. Nonetheless, it is important to ensure that your drain cleaner is up to the task. We recommend Thrift T-600 Granular drain cleaner, as it is a powerful, fast-acting solution. It also has minimal corrosive effects on your plumbing, which makes it ideal for long-term use. But if you are on a budget, the RID-X Septic Tank Enzyme Treatment will still serve you well.

The other options on this list are also effective, so allow your preferences to guide you to your choice.

See Also: 

• How to Unclog a Garbage Disposal (7 Quick & Easy Steps)
• How to Get Rid of Smelly Drains in Your Bathroom (4 Easy Steps)
• Can You Use Drano in a Garbage Disposal? (FAQs Answered!)

Featured Image Credit: Thomas von Stetten, Shutterstock