As anyone who has ever dealt with a clogged drain knows, it can be a real pain to clear out all the hair and other debris that can accumulate over time. I've tried all the drain-clearing hacks–from household products, like baking soda, to chemical drain openers, like Drano. Fortunately, there are several different types of drain clog prevention products available on the market to stop the problem from occurring before a clog happens. In this post, we'll compare three of the most popular options: a newer product called DrainFunnel, hair collectors for shower walls, and traditional hair catchers/tub-shrooms.
1. DrainFunnel
Drainfunnel is a relatively new product that is designed to prevent surface-level clogs in shower and bathtub drains. It consists of a plastic funnel that fits inside the drain and allows hair to travel past the crossbars that hold up the drain plug. The majority of hair clogs happen right at the drain, where that crossbar catches hair, shampoo, and other build-up. Contrary to popular belief, that crossbar is not actually intended to catch hair–it’s there as a support to attach a traditional stopper to–and hair is safe to go down the drain (skeptics: watch this video for more information). The funnel doesn’t take any special skills to install and can be easily removed and cleaned out as needed. Get a DrainFunnel here (use TIDYTROJANS for 10% off)
Note: DrainFunnel should only be installed in drains that don’t have a history of clogs in the system other than the surface-level clogs originating at the drain crossbars. It is only recommended for homes with plastic (PVC or ABS) plumbing–metal pipes can corrode/rust over time and will potentially catch hair and clog further down the line. The majority of homes built after 1970 will have plastic plumbing and are a great candidate for the DrainFunnel! See it in action in my video, here.
2. Hair collectors (for shower walls)
Another popular option for preventing drain clogs is a hair collector, like this, that attaches to the shower wall via some type of adhesive. These devices are typically made of silicone or similar materials and help to remove hair that gets on your hands. They can be easily removed and cleaned out as needed–but do require some effort to remove the hair from them. They do tend to take up more space in the shower or tub–and perhaps are an eyesore if you’re against having a big thing stuck to your wall–and may not be as effective at catching smaller pieces of debris or all the hair that you lose in the shower but didn’t catch on your hands.
3. Tubshrooms/traditional hair catchers
The third option we'll look at is the traditional hair catcher for tubs/showers, which typically consists of a small strainer that fits over the drain or inside the drain. These can be made of metal or plastic and are designed to catch hair and other debris before it can go down the drain.
One advantage of the traditional hair catcher is that it is very effective at catching hair and debris, and it is also very durable. However, it does require frequent cleaning and manually removing the hair that builds up in the trap.
So... which option is best for preventing drain clogs? It really depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you need something that can catch more hair and debris, the hair collector for shower walls may be a better choice. And if you want something that is very effective and durable, the traditional hair catcher for tubs may be the way to go–especially for those on a septic system. On the other hand, if you don’t like removing slimy hair from a hair catcher on a weekly basis, try a DrainFunnel. I get it, we’ve all been taught that hair shouldn’t go down the drain–and that may have been true before 1970 when metal pipes were the norm–and it’s hard to change those opinions, so if you’re still skeptical about it, stick to a hair catcher (either the wall one or the one that goes over the drain.
By taking a few simple steps to prevent these surface-level drain clogs, you can avoid the hassle and expense of having to call a plumber to clear out your pipes or trying to remove the clog yourself.
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