As a plumber and father of two girls, I’ve battled more hair clogs than I can count. In fact, 80% of our drain calls are hair-related! After years of both professional and personal experience with this problem, I’ve learned a few things that can help you prevent and fix this hairy issue.

If you’re tired of slow drains, standing in an inch of water during your shower, or just want to avoid the horror of pulling out a hair monster from your pipes, this guide is for you. From simple habits to proven products, you’ll learn exactly what works—and what doesn’t.

WATCH: Why Hair Clogs Form

1. Brush Your Hair Before Showering (Or First Thing for Curly Hair)
2. Stick Loose Hair to the Side of the Shower Wall
3. Use a Drain Hair Catcher / Drain Trap Cover
4. Apply a Bacteria-Based Drain Cleaner Regularly
5. Tips to Reduce Soap Scum Buildup

Quick Drain Clog Solutions Overview: Stop Hair Clogs Before They Start

Don’t wait until your drains are completely clogged! Here are some proven solutions, ranked from most to least effective based on 20+ years of professional plumbing experience:

Immediate Hair Clog Prevention Actions (Under $25)

Install a high-quality drain trap cover like TubShroom ($15) that catches hair before it enters your pipes. These devices prevent up to 99% of hair clogs when used correctly and cleaned regularly.

Daily Hair Clog Prevention Habits

Brush your hair before showering to remove loose strands and use the shower wall method – stick loose hair to the wall while washing and dispose of it in the trash afterward. This simple habit can dramatically reduce drain blockages.

Monthly Drain Maintenance

Pour 2 ounces of a natural enzyme-based cleaner (like BioOne, $65) down your drain monthly. This natural solution breaks down existing buildup and prevents new clogs from forming without damaging your pipes.

Professional Whole-Home Water Filtration & Water Softeners

Consider installing a whole-home water filtration and water softener system to prevent hard water and soap scum buildup that traps hair. While more expensive upfront, this solution protects all your home’s plumbing and typically pays for itself within a few years.

Drain Clog Warning Signs to Watch For:

• Water pooling around your feet during showers
• Bathtub and shower drains taking more than 10 seconds to empty
• Gurgling sounds from pipes
• Unpleasant odors from drains

Don’t wait until your drain is completely blocked – the solutions above cost far less than an emergency plumbing visit.

How to Prevent Hair Clogs in Your Bathtub or Shower Drain

Instead of constantly fishing hair out of your drain (I have been informed that it’s part of my fatherly duties), take these simple shower and bathtub hair clog preventative measures:

1. Brush Your Hair Before Showering

• This is a simple step but can be a game changer! Brushing your hair before hopping in the shower removes loose hairs that would otherwise make their way down the drain.
• Note for curly hair: Try brushing your hair when it’s wet but before beginning your shower routine. My wife made sure to let me know that detangling curly hair while wet helps prevent damage.
• Make sure your family incorporates this into their bathtime routine. 
• Recommendations: These are my wife and daughter’s favorites: Boar bristle brush by Urtheone, Tangle Teezer, Wet Brush, and last, but definitely not least (expensive), the Mason Pearson hairbrush.

2. Stick Loose Hair to the Side of the Bath or Shower Wall

• Not the most glamorous solution, but effective. If you notice hair coming out while showering, stick it to the side of the shower wall and dispose of it afterward.
• Some companies even make special shower wall hair catchers to collect loose hairs (because apparently, I’m not the only one tired of clogged drains). 
• Recommendation: Here is a link to YourPorcupine.com, a silicone shower wall hair catcher, that’s not half bad and it comes in nice colors.

3. Use a Bathtub or Shower Drain Hair Catcher or Drain Trap Cover

• A bathtub or shower drain hair trap is a must-have. These small drain covers catch hair before it goes down the drain.
• Empty it regularly unless you want to be yelled at for leaving a swamp of soggy hair.
• Recommendation: There are a million of these products online or at big box stores. I have one I got off Amazon (link here) that is actually a part of my daughter’s bathtub drain stopper (some people forget to put the others back in). TubShroom is one that I’d recommend for almost any drain. It’s easy to install, durable, and effective. Link to tubshroom.com

4. Apply a Bacteria-Based Drain Cleaner Regularly

• Harsh chemicals like Drano can be damaging. Instead, use a natural hair clog solution. A bacteria-based drain cleaner naturally breaks down soap scum, grease, and hair.
• Think of it as a probiotic for your plumbing.
• What to Avoid: Harsh chemicals, pouring boiling water down your drains, or using baking soda & vinegar. These methods (boiling water & baking soda & vinegar) are not as effective and could cause serious damage to your plumbing.
• Recommendation: billyGO uses a product called BioOne Liquid Drain Cleaner. It’s trusted by residential and commercial plumbers across the country. BioOne is 100% natural and is Patented and recognized by the EPA as a safer choice product. It’s safe for people, pets, and pipes. Just 2 ounces of this product about once per month makes a huge difference for preventing hair clogs.   

5. Reduce Soap Scum Buildup

• Switch to liquid soap or soap-free body washes to minimize residue inside your drain.
• If you experience frequent clogs, consider installing a water softener.
• Other products that cause buildup: Bath bombs, coconut oils, body scrubs, makeup, and face masks. 
• Recommendation: Schedule a billyGO plumber to come out and test your water and provide you with a quote for one of our whole-home water softener and/or filtration solutions. I think that will be my next home purchase – it helps protect every faucet, drain, and appliance in your home. Plus, it helps keep your skin and hair healthier and your clothes smelling better.

Why Do Hair Clogs Form in Shower and Bathtub Drains?

WATCH: Rhett, one of our awesome billyGO plumbers, explains why hair clogs occur and one of the ways we tackle and prevent hair clogs.

Most people assume hair just naturally sticks to pipes, but that’s not entirely true. Hair clogs happen because hair gets trapped in the buildup inside the drain. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Hard Water and Soap Scum Buildup

• If you live in North Texas like I do, hard water is an unavoidable reality. The minerals in hard water mix with soap and create a sticky residue inside your drain pipes.
• This buildup creates the perfect surface for hair to latch onto and develop hair clogs in your bathtub or shower.

2. Hair Sticks to the Residue Causing Hair Clogs

• Once hair finds a home in the soap scum, it begins to accumulate.
• More and more hair gets caught until you’ve got yourself a full-blown clog.

3. Water Flow Slows or Stops Completely

• Your relaxing shower turns into an unexpected foot bath.
• At this point, you either need a solid DIY fix or a plumber’s help.

NOTE: Other issues can cause hair to pile up, including a break in the line, but for this article we will assume the problem is due to typical pipe build up.  

How to Remove Hair Clogs from Your Drain

If your drain is already clogged, here’s how to fix it:

1. Use a Drain Snake or Hair Clog Removal Tool

• These inexpensive tools can grab and pull out tangled hair from deep inside the drain.
• Be prepared for a horrifying but oddly satisfying extraction process.
• Recommendation: This Husky drain snake auger is the one that I have. It even has a drill drive connector which makes the process a little easier.

2. Try a Bio-Enzyme Drain Cleaner

• Enzyme-based cleaners can break down hair and organic build up without damaging your pipes. BioOne recommendation above. 

3. Use a Cup Plunger

• A good old-fashioned plunger can create enough suction to dislodge a stubborn hair clog.
• Note: Make sure you are using the correct type of plunger for the job. Yes, there are different types of plungers. A standard cup plunger is what you will probably need in the case of a shower or bathtub drain clog since the surface is most likely flat. 

4. Avoid Baking Soda & Vinegar for Severe Clogs

• While this DIY method is okay for minor maintenance, it won’t dissolve hair or soap scum effectively.

4. Avoid Pouring Boiling Water Down Your Drains

• Another common “how to” you may have seen on the internet can cause bigger issues. Boiling water can actually soften or melt the pvc pipe potentially causing leaks and further damage to your plumbing.

5. Call a Professional billyGO Plumber

• If nothing works, it’s time to call in reinforcements.
• Save yourself the headache and let an expert handle the drain clog.

FAQs About Hair Clogs in Drains

How do you prevent hair from clogging the bathtub drain?

• Brush your hair before showering, use a hair trap, and flush the drain with a bacteria-based drain cleaner regularly.

How do I stop my bathtub from clogging?

• Prevent buildup by using a drain maintenance solution and keeping loose hair out of the drain.

What product dissolves hair in drains?

• Enzyme-based or bioactive drain cleaners are the best solutions. BioOne Drain Cleaner is the product many professional plumbers, including billyGO plumbers use.

What eats hair in a clogged drain?

• Bacteria-based drain cleaners contain enzymes that digest hair and soap scum.

What pulls hair out of a drain?

• A drain snake auger, plunger, or hair removal tool will usually do the trick.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

• The fizzing reaction might look impressive, but it’s not strong enough to break down serious hair clogs.

My Final Thoughts on Drain Hair Care

As a dad who has been knee-deep (sometimes literally) in the battle against hair clogs, I can tell you that prevention is key. If you can get ahead of the issue with hair traps, a good bacteria-based cleaner, and a little extra effort in hair disposal, you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.

And if you do end up with a stubborn clog? Well, at least you know how to handle it now—or you can always call the team at billyGO Air Conditioning & Plumbing.

For more expert plumbing or HVAC advice, contact BillyGO today!