Unblocking a shower drain is one of the most common bathroom maintenance tasks. In most cases, you can fix it yourself in a few minutes with basic tools and household products—no plumber needed.

Below are step‑by‑step methods, starting with the gentlest and cheapest, and moving toward stronger options.

# Common Causes of a Blocked Shower Drain

Before you start, it helps to know what you’re dealing with. Most shower blockages are caused by:

  • Hair (the number one reason)
  • Soap scum and shampoo residue
  • Body oils and skin flakes
  • Hard‑water mineral build‑up
  • Small objects (e.g. razor caps, bits of plastic, children’s toys)

If water is draining very slowly, pooling around your feet, or there’s a bad smell from the drain, you likely have a partial or full blockage.

# Safety And Preparation

You’ll need (depending on method):

  • Rubber gloves
  • Old toothbrush or small brush
  • Bucket or bowl
  • Old towel or cloth
  • Torch/flashlight
  • Wire coat hanger or drain snake
  • Plunger (cup or flange style)

If using chemicals (not recommended as first choice):

  • Safety goggles
  • Good ventilation

Tip: Start with non‑chemical methods first. They’re safer for you, your pipes, and the environment.

# Step 1 – Remove And Clean The Shower Drain Cover

  1. Turn off the water to the shower.
  2. Remove the drain cover or grate:
    • Some simply lift off.
    • Others have screws—use a screwdriver.
    • If there’s silicone or grime holding it, gently pry it up with a flat screwdriver (avoid scratching).
  3. Clean visible gunk:
    • Put on gloves.
    • Pull out any visible hair clumps and debris with your fingers or a small hook (like a bent wire).
  4. Scrub the cover:
    • Use an old toothbrush and soapy water to remove soap scum.
    • Rinse and set aside.

Often, this alone improves drainage dramatically.

# Step 2 – Use A Bent Wire Or Drain Snake

If you still see or feel blockage deeper in the pipe:

  1. Make a DIY hook:
    • Straighten a wire coat hanger.
    • Bend a small hook on one end.
  2. Insert the hook into the drain:
    • Push it in gently and twist to catch hair and sludge.
    • Pull it out and discard the gunk in the bin (not the toilet, if it’s a big clump).
  3. Repeat several times until it comes up mostly clean.
  4. Flush with hot water for 30–60 seconds to check flow.

Tip: A proper drain snake (drain auger) is more effective than a wire hanger for deeper clogs and tight bends.

# Step 3 – Try A Plunger On The Shower Drain

If the blockage is still there but not too deep, plunging can help.

  1. Seal overflow holes (if present):
    • Some baths and combination units have an overflow opening—cover it tightly with a wet cloth or tape to improve suction.
  2. Add some water:
    • There should be 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) of water over the drain to help create a seal.
  3. Position the plunger:
    • Place it directly over the drain so the rubber fully covers the opening.
  4. Plunge vigorously:
    • Push down and pull up quickly, 15–20 times.
    • Maintain a tight seal.
  5. Lift the plunger and check if the water drains quickly.
  6. Repeat a few times if necessary.

If plunging improves drainage but doesn’t clear it completely, combine this with Step 2 (snake/hanger) again.

# Step 4 – Use Baking Soda And Vinegar (Natural Method)

This is a popular, gentle method that helps break up soap scum and minor clogs. It works best on partially blocked drains, not complete blockages.

  1. Remove standing water in the shower with a cup or towel (the drain should be exposed).
  2. Pour in baking soda:
    • Add about ½ cup to 1 cup of baking soda directly into the drain.
  3. Add vinegar:
    • Pour ½ cup to 1 cup of white vinegar slowly into the drain.
  4. Let it fizz:
    • You’ll hear bubbling and fizzing—this is normal.
    • Leave it to work for 15–30 minutes.
  5. Flush with hot water:
    • Boil a kettle or use the hottest tap water safely available.
    • Pour slowly down the drain to wash everything away.

Note: This won’t dissolve big hair balls but can help loosen them and remove build‑up around them.

For more background on how this reaction works, see the basic acid–base explanation on Wikipedia – Baking Soda.

# Step 5 – Flush With Very Hot (Not Boiling) Water

Hot water helps melt oils and soap deposits coating the inside of the pipes.

  1. Boil a kettle, then let it sit 1–2 minutes off the boil (to avoid thermal shock to certain plastic pipes).
  2. Pour in stages:
    • Add the hot water slowly in three or four pours, with 30 seconds between each pour.
  3. Check drainage as the water flows through.

Avoid pouring boiling water directly onto plastic fittings or very old pipes, as they may warp or crack.

# Step 6 – Use A Wet/Dry Vacuum (If You Have One)

A wet/dry vacuum cleaner can be very effective at sucking out blockages.

  1. Set to “wet” mode and remove any standard filters that cannot handle liquids (check the manual).
  2. Create a seal around the drain:
    • Use a rubber adapter or wrap a wet cloth around the hose and press firmly around the drain opening.
  3. Turn on the vacuum for 20–30 seconds at a time.
  4. Check the canister:
    • You may see hair, sludge, or small objects that were causing the blockage.

This method can often clear stubborn hair clogs you can’t reach by hand.

# Step 7 – Chemical Drain Cleaners (Use With Caution)

Commercial drain cleaners (caustic or acidic) can sometimes clear tough blockages, but they come with risks:

  • Can damage older or PVC pipes over time
  • Dangerous if mixed with other chemicals
  • Harmful to skin, eyes, and lungs
  • Not eco‑friendly

If you decide to use them:

  1. Read the label carefully and follow the exact instructions.
  2. Wear gloves and eye protection.
  3. Ventilate the bathroom well (open windows/vent fans).
  4. Never mix products (e.g. don’t follow a bleach cleaner with an acid cleaner).
  5. Flush thoroughly with plenty of water afterward.

For a general overview of drain cleaners and their types, see Drain cleaner – Wikipedia.

If chemicals don’t work, avoid adding more and move on to mechanical methods or call a professional.

# Step 8 – When You Should Call A Plumber

DIY methods are great, but there are times you should stop and call a professional plumber:

  • Water backs up into other drains (e.g. water in the shower rises when you flush the toilet or use the sink)
  • Multiple drains in the house are slow or blocked at the same time
  • You smell strong sewer odours from drains
  • There is gurgling from other fixtures when water drains
  • You’ve tried several methods and nothing improves
  • You live in an old house with fragile or unknown pipe materials

These signs may indicate a deeper blockage in the main waste line, collapsed pipes, or serious build‑up that needs professional equipment (e.g. motorised auger or hydro‑jetting).

# How To Prevent Future Shower Drain Blockages

Prevention is much easier than repeatedly unblocking a shower drain. A few simple habits make a big difference:

  1. Install a hair catcher

    • Use a mesh or silicone drain cover that catches hair before it goes down the drain.
    • Empty it after each shower.

  2. Regular cleaning routine

    • Once every 1–2 weeks, remove the cover and clear any visible hair.
    • Rinse the area with hot water.
    • Optionally use the baking soda and vinegar method monthly as maintenance.

  3. Use less heavy products

    • Very thick conditioners, oils and bar soaps produce more residue.
    • Rinse surfaces well after showering.

  4. Avoid flushing foreign objects

    • Don’t wash small plastic pieces, packaging, or other items down the shower drain.

  5. Water softener (if you have hard water)

    • Hard water can cause mineral build‑up in pipes.
    • A water softener system can reduce this over the long term.
    • See an overview of water softening for more details.

# Quick Troubleshooting FAQ

Why does my shower drain smell bad?
Often due to trapped hair, soap, and bacteria in the drain or trap. Try cleaning the drain cover, removing hair, and flushing with hot water plus baking soda and vinegar. Persistent odours may signal a venting or sewer issue—contact a plumber.

Can I use bleach to unblock a shower drain?
Bleach disinfects but usually doesn’t dissolve hair clogs effectively. It can also react badly with other cleaners. It’s better to use mechanical methods or specific drain products as directed.

Why does my drain keep blocking again and again?
Likely reasons: no hair catcher, heavy product build‑up, old narrow pipes, or a deeper problem further down the line. Put prevention in place; if it still recurs frequently, have a plumber inspect the system.

Is it safe to mix baking soda, vinegar, and commercial cleaners?
No. Never mix natural methods (especially vinegar) with commercial chemical cleaners. This can release dangerous gases or neutralise the cleaner’s effectiveness. Rinse thoroughly and let the drain clear before switching methods.

# Summary: The Best Way To Unblock A Shower Drain

  1. Remove and clean the drain cover.
  2. Pull out hair and debris with gloves, a hook, or a drain snake.
  3. Try plunging if the water still drains slowly.
  4. Use baking soda and vinegar, then flush with hot water.
  5. Use a wet/dry vacuum if available.
  6. Reserve chemical cleaners as a last resort.
  7. Call a plumber if multiple drains are affected, there are strong odours, or DIY methods fail.

Following these steps will usually restore your shower’s drainage quickly and help you keep it clear in the future.