With the instructions on both Drano and Liquid Plumr being very similar, it’s easy to see how people might get confused with these two products. In this article, we’re going to look at the key differences so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your needs.
Cleaning Clogs With Both Products
When it comes to testing these two products, let’s start off by saying they both work. In most cases, Drano removes the clog more efficiently and gets the job done within the first few attempts. If you have a tough clog, it might take longer with Liquid Plumr. That said, Liquid Plumr is great for small clogs, but it might not work as well on tougher clogs.
Understanding How The Products Work: Drano Vs Liquid Plumr
Knowing the difference between chemical and enzyme when it comes to these two products will help you understand how they work. Cleaning with chemicals and enzymes are two different things. Chemical-based drain cleaners use strong chemicals to break down the clog. This can be effective, but it also comes with some risks. The chemicals in these products can be dangerous if they come into contact with your skin or eyes.
Inhaling the fumes from these products can also be harmful. Enzyme-based drain cleaners use enzymes to break down the clog. These enzymes are safe for people and pets, and they won’t damage your plumbing.
However, enzyme-based drain cleaners can take longer to work than chemical-based cleaners. When it comes to the Drano vs Liquid Plumr debate, both of these products are chemical-based cleaners.
Drano Vs Liquid Plumr: What’s In The Products?
The ingredients in Liquid Plumr as a Drano alternative are as follows:
- Water: Being the first ingredient, water makes up most of the product.
- Sodium Hypochlorite: This is the active ingredient in Liquid Plumr. It’s a bleach that helps to break down the clog.
- Sodium Chloride: This is table salt. It’s added to help thicken the product so that it can cling to surfaces and work on the clog more effectively.
- Sodium Hydroxide: This is also known as lye. It’s a caustic agent that helps to break down the clog.
- Cetyl Betaine: This is a surfactant that helps the product cling to surfaces and penetrate the clog.
- Sodium Orthosilicate: This is a white mineral that’s added to help the product cling to surfaces.
- Potassium Iodide: This is added as a stabilizer.
These ingredients are safe for people and pets, but they can be dangerous if they come into contact with your skin or eyes. Inhaling the fumes from these products can also be harmful.
Drano’s ingredients are:
- Water: Most Drano products are over 90% water.
- Sodium Hypochlorite: This is the key ingredient in Drano. It’s a bleach, and it’s what does the heavy lifting when it comes to unclogging your pipes.
- Sodium Hydroxide: This is a caustic substance that helps sodium hypochlorite do its job.
- Capric Acid: This is a fatty acid that helps keep the other ingredients stable.
- Lauric Acid: Another fatty acid, lauric acid is found in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It helps keep the mixture viscous so that it can cling to your pipes and do its job.
- Amine Oxide: This is a surfactant, which means it helps the other ingredients mix and helps the Drano cling to your pipes.
- Polystyrene Polymer: This ingredient gives Drano its gel-like consistency.
- Sodium Silicate: Also known as liquid glass, this substance helps to protect your pipes from corrosion.
Drano vs Liquid Plumr: Product Features
Here are the features to consider.
Drano Features
Here are some of the key features of Drano:
- Formulated thick to dissolve the toughest clogs fast so you can rest assured that your pipes are clear and free-flowing.
- Pours through water straight to the clog, quickly getting to work and dissolving the blockage.
- Has an ingredient to protect pipes from corrosion, keeping your plumbing in top condition, as long as it’s used as per the instructions.
- Safe for plastic, PVC, metal pipes, garbage disposals, and septic systems, so you can use it with confidence.
- Contains no phosphorus, making it a safe choice for your home.
Liquid Plumr Features
On the other hand, here are some of the features of Liquid Plumr:
- Clears stubborn blocked drains easily when used as instructed
- The special thick gel won’t dilute as it cuts through the toughest clogs, so there’s no need to call a plumber
- Safe for all pipes, including PVC, plastic, copper, old pipes, and septic systems, when used as directed
- Saves time and money by empowering you to clear drains yourself, saving on plumber fees.
Which Is More Effective Liquid-Plumr Or Drano?
There is no definitive answer to this question that we concluded when testing as it depends on the specific clog you are trying to clear and how does Drano work. However, in general, Drano is more likely to be effective at clearing clogs than Liquid-Plumr. This is because Drano contains more powerful chemicals that can break down tougher clogs.
What Do Plumbers Recommend For Unclogging Drains?
There are a variety of products that plumbers recommend for unclogging drains, including Liquid-Plumr and Drano. However, it is important to note that each product contains different chemicals and may work differently on different types of clogs. As such, it is always best to consult with a plumber before using any type of product to unclog your drain.
In Which Situations Is It Better To Use A More Natural Drain Cleaner That You Make Yourself?
The situations in which it is better to use a more natural drain cleaner are those in which you want to avoid using harsh chemicals or leaving Drano in your pipes for too long. Additionally, homemade cleaners can be just as effective on small blockages as store-bought ones, as well as being much cheaper to make. There are many recipes for homemade drain cleaners available online.
However, one of the simplest and most effective is to mix equal parts of baking soda and vinegar. Just pour the mixture down your drain and let it sit for about an hour before flushing with hot water. So, if you want to save money or avoid using harsh chemicals, then making your own drain cleaner is a great option!
Conclusion
After testing and comparing both Drano and Liquid Plumr, we have concluded that Drano is the better drain cleaner. If you want to know more about this product, being able to answer the question of how does Drano work can help you feel more comfortable when using it. In addition, you’ll also be able to troubleshoot any issues that may occur.
