The best drain cleaners you can buy

Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver uses non-caustic, biodegradable ingredients to dissolve drain blockages. It is most effective on clogs caused by kitchen grease.

Oil and grease should never be poured down the drain, yet many of us do it, whether it's forgetfulness or laziness. But before you call the plumber, I suggest you give Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver a try. It works for me.

While Green Gobbler does work on hair and soap buildup, it works best on grease and oil, liquifying them so they can be flushed away with boiling water. The proprietary enzyme-based ingredients are also safer to use than drain openers containing caustic sodium hydroxide and emit no strong chemical odors.

There's no guessing about how much to pour down the drain. The two-chambered bottle holds two precise doses. Just pour in one of the pre-measured amounts and wait at least 30 minutes or up to overnight, then flush away the clog with hot water.

Green Gobbler has a 3.9-star average rating from Amazon customers. One customer says the grease buildup actually occurs from cleaning greasy pots and pans, despite wiping them down beforehand. When nothing DIY seemed to work, the customer had luck with this product.

Pros: Dissolves grease and other clogs using enzymes, less caustic than other drain cleaners, each bottle contains two pre-measured treatments, 30-day hassle-free return

Cons: Does not work well on severely clogged drains

Buy Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver in a two-dose 15.5-ounce bottle from Amazon for $11.97

CLR Power Plumber blasts through hair and grease clogs with no chemicals and no messy plungers.

If you don't like keeping chemicals in your home and are looking for a less environmentally damaging way to keep drains flowing, CLR Power Plumber may be the product for you.

At some point, almost everyone has rushed out to buy a plunger to open a drain. It often works but then you're left with a dripping, messy plunger to clean and store. Plus, the rubber head on plungers eventually disintegrate and crack. The Power Plumber works on the same principle as a plunger of using forced air to move a clog but with no mess.

Just 7 inches tall, the can is filled with compressed gas that is scented with a lemon deodorizer. The gas contains no CFCs. Simply fill the sink with several inches of water, point the nozzle down into the drain and when the gas comes in contact with the water, it expands rapidly. The wave of gas and water act as a battering ram to push the blockage through the pipe. No chemicals needed.

The Power Plumber works on both bathtub and sink drains, including double sinks and garbage disposals. Just follow the directions carefully to create a tight seal. Each can contains 15 uses — that's a lot of cleaning for a 4.5-ounce little can.

Pros: Clears clogs with no chemicals, 15 applications per can, small and easy to store

Cons: Not always available in mass-market stores

Buy CLR Power Plumber in a 15-applications can from Walmart for $12.39

Just a quick pour of CLR Build-Up Remover once a month in kitchen and bathroom drains will take the drama out of clogged drains.

I think we've established that I don't like to deal with plumbing problems. So I follow all the rules of drain care and do my best to prevent issues like clogs and odors by using CLR Build-Up Remover monthly.

I pour just 3 ounces (about one-third of a cup) into a drain right before bedtime, so it has time to work and clean away soap scum, toothpaste, kitchen grease, and other gunk that coats pipes and can cause clogs. If I notice that a drain is running slowly, I pour a one-fourth cup right before bed, for five days in a row to get things moving quickly. You could also do the treatment in the morning before leaving for work — it just needs to be done when water isn't being used, to be most effective.

The product is safe to use on septic systems and will not harm pipes. CLR Build-Up Remover has actually met the U.S. EPA's Safe Choice Program guidelines to be classified as an environmentally safe product.

Using just 2 ounces per dose, one Amazon customer claims the product kept drains clean for five-to-six months.

Pros: Helps prevent drain clogs, removes odors, will not harm pipes, environmentally safe

Cons: Does not remove severe clogs

Buy CLR Build-Up Remover in a 42-ounce bottle from Walmart for $8.84

If there are long-haired humans or pets in your home, use the TubShroom Strainer and Hair Catcher to prevent hair from draining clogs.

I was a child of the 1970s and had long, flowing hair. My father complained constantly about all of the hair that kept clogging up the bathroom drains. There may have been "magical mushrooms" in the 70s but none were as good at preventing clogs like the TubShroom Strainer and Hair Catcher. This little rubber gadget will change your life — even with shorter hair these days, I am always amazed at how much the TubShroom catches.

Unlike typical drain filters, the TubShroom slips down into the drain opening so that the hair is caught, out-of-sight. The unique shape and holes create a whirlpool effect that winds long hair around the spool so it doesn't go down the drain. The TubShroom fits any standard 1.5-inch to 1.75-inch bathtub drain and comes in a variety of colors from white to orange to match any decor.

When you notice a slowing of water as the tub drains, pull out the TubShroom and dispose of the hair. Use a microfiber cloth or tissue to wipe away the hair and rinse it under the faucet to remove any residue. Afterward, just pop it back in to protect your drain.

The manufacturer also makes other drain-related products. If you want to take a relaxing bath, simply pop on a StopShroom Drain Cover and fill the tub. And, for shower stalls and kitchen sinks, there are ShowerShrooms and SinkShrooms to catch debris in those places.

Pros: Prevents hair clogs in the drain, easy to install and clean, available in multiple colors and sizes

Cons: Can slow water drainage if not cleaned regularly

Buy the TubShroom Strainer and Hair Catcher from Walmart for $10.22