A shower drain is an indispensable part of a shower enclosure. It lets all the impure water from the shower flow through to the sewage. Thus, it helps to keep your shower area neat and clean.

Since the shower drain is in constant contact with impure water, it tends to get dirty fast. If you do not clean it on a regular basis, then it becomes difficult for water to flow through. Sometimes it can also clog the drain completely, resulting in major plumbing work.

Why Should You Clean the Shower Drain?

how to clean a bathroom shower drain

 

  • Clear dirt and hair: When you take a bath, the dead skin cells and hair gets washed off and get accumulated in the shower drain. If it is not cleaned, then it can hinder the water flow.
  • Maintain the look: Cleaning the shower drain trap superficially helps to retain the original look of the drain. When the drain is scrubbed and clean through, all dirt accumulated in it can be removed.
  • Cleaning deposits: Hard water contains several minerals and deposits. If you use hard water for showering, these minerals get deposited on the drain and affect its look and functioning. Regular cleaning helps to remove the deposit from the drain.
  • Remove soap scum: Whenever you take a bath, a lot of soap scum gets deposited on the shower drain. The soap scum gets mixed with dead skin cells and hair thus blocking the flow of water. Cleaning the shower drain regularly helps to remove the soap scum.
  • Remove other substances: If small materials like paper or tissue get stuck on the shower drain trap, it can affect the flow of water. If you clean the shower drain regularly, you can get these things removed.

 

How to Clean Shower Drain Inside With DIY Cleaner?

  • Baking soda and vinegar solution: Mix ½ cup of baking soda with ½ cup of vinegar. Pour it through the drain. This helps to unclog and clean the drain. You can use white vinegar to scrub and clean the drain trap. Baking soda acts as a cleaning agent, while vinegar is a powerful disinfectant.
  • Baking soda and lemon: Mix ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of lemon juice and pour it down the drain. This solution helps to clean and unclog the drain. The same solution can be used to scrub and clean the drain trap from outside. While the baking soda in the solution helps to clean the drain, the lemon helps to disinfect and deodorize the drain.
  • Baking soda and salt: Mix ½ cup of baking soda with ½ cup of salt. You can use this mix to scrub and clean the surface of the drain. When poured down the drain, the mix helps to unclog and clean the drain pipes as well.
  • Baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar: Mix ½ cup of baking soda, ½ cup of salt and 2 two tablespoons of cream of tartar in a bottle. Pour half of the mixture down the drain. Let it sit for some time. You can then pour boiling water to clean the drain.
  • Salt, borax, and vinegar: Mix ¼ cup of borax and ¼ of salt and pour it down the drain. Flush it down with ½ cup of vinegar. Let it sit for some time. Pour boiling water to clean the drain.

 

How to Clean the Inside of a Shower Drain with Commercially Available Products? 

If you are hard-pressed for time, then you can use the commercially available drain cleaners to clean the drain. Follow the usage and safety instructions as provided in it. Also, do not dilute or mix the cleaning solution with any other product. This is because mixing products can result in a chemical reaction and can produce toxic gas. Make sure that the bathroom has proper ventilation before using commercially available cleaning products.

 

How to Clean the Drain Grate?

Whether the drain grate comes in a chrome, brushed or polished finish, you should clean it regularly to retain its look. In case the grate cover is made of stainless steel, you should remove it from the base. You can then wash it with warm water and wipe it with a cloth. Tile grates typically come with the same material as the floor tile. Thus, it can be wiped and cleaned just like floor tile. The third type of grate cover is glass grate cover. This can also be cleaned like stainless steel grate cover with warm water and a cloth. You can also use any glass cleaning product to clean the glass grate.

 

How to Reduce the Frequency of Cleaning the Shower Drain?

Hair is the main culprit that makes your drain dirty. Brush your hair thoroughly outside the shower before washing it. This way, you can remove all loose hair and prevent it from accumulating on the drain. Another way is to collect the hair by hand while shampooing. This can prevent the hair from flowing to the drain and blocking it.

You can install a hair trap in the drain so that all hair that flows towards it gets trapped. Use a hand shower to wash all the hair from the bathroom floor and divert it to the drain. You can then take out the hair with your hand.

Conclusion

It is advisable to clean the drain on a periodic basis. Drop some baking soda on the drain and flush it with hot water. You can do this every alternate day.

If you cannot use cleaning products to clean the drain, at least pour boiling water. This prevents the build-up of dirt and subsequent clogging of the drain. But make sure that the drainpipe is made of metal. If the drainpipe is of PVC make, then it is advisable to use any of the cleaning products. This is because boiling water can damage PVC.

Buying Guide: Stainless Steel Shower Drain | Brushed Nickel Shower Drain | Gold Finish Shower Drain | Chrome Finish Shower Drain | Bronze Shower Drain