10 Best Drain Cleaner Products in Australia (2026 Update)
A blocked drain is one of those jobs that sneaks up on you. One morning the kitchen sink drains fine; by dinner it’s sitting in water. Whether you’re battling hair in the shower, grease in the kitchen, or a toilet that keeps playing up, a decent drain cleaner can sort the problem before you need to pick up the phone. We’ve pulled together the ten best options available in Australia this year, covering everything from heavy-duty chemical formulas to gentle enzyme options you can use every month.
That said, some blockages are beyond any bottle. If store-bought products aren’t cutting it, the team at EKORP Plumbing is available 24/7 across the St George, Sutherland Shire, and Georges River areas with a 60-minute response and no callout fee. Give us a ring on 02 8667 5354.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Drano Max Gel – Chemical / Hair and soap scum / $12-18
- Green Gobbler Bio-Flow Strips – Enzyme / Monthly maintenance / $18-25
- CLR Power Plumber – Pressurised gas / Quick minor clogs / $14-20
- Earth Choice Drain Cleaner – Natural / Eco households / $8-15
- Selleys Liquid Drain Opener – Chemical / Kitchen grease / $10-16
- Liquid Lightning Hair Dissolver – Chemical / Bathroom hair / $15-22
- Eco Clean Solutions Enzyme Cleaner – Enzyme / Eco liquid formula / $16-24
- Bunnings Dual Action Drain Cleaner – Chemical / Budget pick / $7-12
- Reckitt Benckiser Drain Unblocker – Chemical / Toilet clogs / $11-17
- Bio-Kleen Bac-Out Drain Care – Enzyme / Odour control / $19-28
1. Drano Max Gel Clog Remover
Best Overall Chemical Drain Cleaner
Drano Max Gel is a go-to for tackling solid blockages caused by hair, soap build-up, and gunk that’s been collecting for weeks. The thick gel formula sinks through standing water and gets to work on the clog itself, usually within 15 to 30 minutes. It’s widely stocked at Bunnings, Woolworths, and Coles, so it’s easy to grab when you need it.
- Thick gel cuts through standing water to reach the blockage
- Works in 15-30 minutes on most clogs
- Compatible with PVC, metal pipes, and garbage disposals
- Targets hair and soap scum effectively
Watch out: This stuff is strong. Always wear gloves and eye protection, pour slowly to avoid splashing, and never mix it with other cleaning products. Not suitable for septic systems.
2. Green Gobbler Bio-Flow Drain Strips
Best Enzyme Drain Cleaner for Maintenance
If you want to stop blockages before they start, Green Gobbler Bio-Flow strips are worth keeping under the sink. Each strip is pre-measured for a single monthly treatment. Drop one in the drain before bed and the natural enzymes get to work overnight, breaking down grease, hair, and food particles without a whiff of harsh chemicals.
- Pre-measured strips for fuss-free monthly use
- 100% biodegradable enzyme formula
- Safe for all pipe types, including septic systems
- No fumes or caustic residue
Keep in mind: These strips are maintenance tools, not emergency fixes. They won’t clear a drain that’s already fully blocked. Pick them up on Amazon Australia or at Bunnings.
3. CLR Power Plumber Pressurised Drain Opener
Best Sink Unblocker for Quick Results
CLR Power Plumber skips the chemistry entirely and uses a burst of compressed gas to shift the blockage. It works in seconds, which makes it handy when you don’t want to wait half an hour for a chemical formula to do its thing. No caustic ingredients means it’s a bit friendlier on your hands and pipes too.
- Pressurised gas technology for instant action
- No harsh chemicals
- Works on sinks, baths, and showers
- Multiple uses per canister
Tip: Get a solid seal over the drain before you press the trigger. A few paper towels around the rim helps direct the pressure down the pipe rather than back at you. Available at Bunnings, Woolworths, and IGA.
4. Earth Choice Drain Cleaner
Best Natural Drain Cleaner
Earth Choice is an Australian-made product that keeps things plant-based. There are no phosphates, chlorine, or heavy acids, which makes it a sensible pick for households with young kids, pets, or a septic system. It won’t power through a serious blockage, but used regularly it keeps the pipes moving without any nasty fumes.
- Plant-based, biodegradable ingredients
- No phosphates, chlorine, or harsh acids
- Safe for septic tanks and greywater systems
- Budget-friendly option from Woolworths, Coles, and IGA
Best approach: Use this weekly as a preventative rather than reaching for it in a crisis. It’s a gentle product that rewards consistent habits.
5. Selleys Liquid Drain Opener
Best for Kitchen Grease Blockages
Selleys is an Australian brand most tradies know well, and their Liquid Drain Opener is built for the fat and oil build-up that accumulates in kitchen pipes. The caustic formula tackles grease that shrugs off milder products, and it’s stocked in most hardware stores around the country.
- Caustic formula designed for grease and fat
- Works in 15-30 minutes
- Suitable for kitchen and bathroom drains
- Widely available at Bunnings and Mitre 10
Pro move: Run the hottest water you can through the drain for a minute or two before pouring in the product. It softens the grease and lets the formula get to work faster. Not for aluminium pipes.
6. Liquid Lightning Hair Dissolver
Best Drain Cleaner for Hair
Bathroom drains and hair are a match made in plumbing hell. Liquid Lightning’s professional-strength formula is designed specifically for protein-based blockages, meaning it dissolves hair faster than a general-purpose cleaner would. It’s the type of product your local plumber might reach for.
- Professional-strength formula
- Dissolves hair in minutes
- Works in standing water
- Safe for PVC and metal pipes
Available at Bunnings and specialist plumbing suppliers. Price range: $15-22.
7. Eco Clean Solutions Enzyme Drain Cleaner
Best Eco-Friendly Liquid Formula
Rather than strips or powder, Eco Clean Solutions gives you a concentrated liquid enzyme formula you can pour straight into a problem drain for a targeted hit. It’s biodegradable, works across all pipe types, and is a solid pick for anyone who wants a greener option without giving up convenience.
- Concentrated enzyme liquid for direct application
- Biodegradable ingredients
- Safe for all pipe materials
- Good for regular monthly maintenance
Available through online retailers and specialty eco stores. Price range: $16-24.
8. Bunnings Dual Action Drain Cleaner
Best Budget Chemical Option
If you’re maintaining a rental property or just want something affordable that gets the job done, Bunnings’ own Dual Action formula is a solid choice. It tackles both hair and grease, comes with clear instructions, and you can grab it at any Bunnings store on the way home.
- Budget-friendly price point
- Handles both hair and grease blockages
- Clear usage instructions on pack
- Available at all Bunnings Warehouse locations
Price range: $7-12.
9. Reckitt Benckiser Drain Unblocker
Best for Toilet Clogs
Most drain cleaners are not designed for toilet use, but this one from Reckitt Benckiser is. It’s formulated to break down paper products and organic matter without damaging porcelain, making it a useful product for family homes where the toilet occasionally gets blocked by things it shouldn’t.
- Safe for toilet use
- Breaks down paper products
- Compatible with septic systems
- Gentle on porcelain
Available at Woolworths, Coles, and most chemists. Price range: $11-17.
10. Bio-Kleen Bac-Out Drain Care
Best for Odour Elimination
Some drains don’t block completely but produce a smell that lingers no matter how much you clean. Bio-Kleen Bac-Out uses live enzyme cultures that keep working after the initial application, eating through the organic residue that causes the stink. Plant-based and safe for daily use.
- Tackles odours at the source
- Live enzyme cultures for ongoing action
- Safe for daily use
- Works in drains and garbage disposals
Available on Amazon Australia and through specialty retailers. Price range: $19-28.
Types of Drain Cleaners: Understanding Your Options
Not all drain cleaners work the same way. Knowing the differences helps you pick the right product rather than grabbing whatever’s closest on the shelf.
Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaners
These products use naturally occurring bacteria and enzymes to digest organic matter over time. They’re the most pipe-friendly option and won’t cause the kind of chemical damage that harsh formulas can.
- Pros: Safe for all pipe materials, biodegradable, septic-safe, no fumes, can be used regularly without risk
- Cons: Slow to work, won’t shift a serious blockage, need consistent use to stay effective
Best for monthly maintenance, households with septic systems, and anyone who prefers a greener approach.
Chemical Drain Cleaners
These use caustic or acidic compounds, typically sodium hydroxide or sulphuric acid, to dissolve blockages fast. They’re the most powerful shelf option you’ll find.
- Pros: Fast-acting, effective on tough clogs, works through standing water, easy to find in stores
- Cons: Can corrode older metal pipes with repeated use, harmful to skin and eyes, produces fumes, not safe for septic systems
Best reserved for stubborn blockages or emergency situations, not regular use.
Natural DIY Alternatives
For minor slow-downs, your kitchen cupboard has you covered. Baking soda and vinegar create a fizzing reaction that shifts light build-up. Follow up with hot water and you’re often done.
- Baking soda and vinegar: pour in 1 cup of each, wait 30 minutes, flush with hot water
- Salt and hot water: good for grease in kitchen sinks
- Dish soap and hot water: works on minor organic blockages
- Plunger: still one of the most reliable mechanical options going
How to Choose the Right Drain Cleaner for Your Home
Type of Blockage
Hair responds well to caustic chemical formulas. Kitchen grease is often easier to shift by softening it with hot water first, then applying a chemical or enzyme product. Soap scum may need an acidic formula, while a toilet clog needs a product that’s specifically rated for that use.
Pipe Material
PVC handles most cleaners fine. Older galvanised or iron pipes can corrode with repeated chemical use, so stick to enzyme or natural options for regular maintenance. Never put an acidic product down aluminium pipes. When in doubt, check the label before you pour.
Frequency of Use
Monthly maintenance suits enzyme cleaners well; they won’t harm your pipes no matter how often you use them. Chemical cleaners are for occasional use only. If you’re reaching for a chemical product more than once a month, there’s likely something deeper going on that a bottle won’t fix.
Environmental Considerations
Septic system? You’ll need a product labelled septic-safe, which usually means enzyme-based or natural. Look for biodegradable on the label if you want to minimise the impact on waterways after the product leaves your pipes.
Safety and Household Concerns
Families with kids or pets are better off starting with non-toxic options and keeping anything caustic stored out of reach. Always ventilate the area when using any drain product, and don’t mix products together. Some combinations produce dangerous fumes.
Signs It’s Time to Call a Professional Plumber
Drain cleaners fix a lot of problems, but not all of them. Here’s when you should put the bottle down and call a plumber instead:
- Recurring blockages: If the same drain keeps blocking despite regular cleaning, there’s something deeper going on, possibly tree root intrusion or a collapsed pipe.
- Multiple drains slow at once: When several drains in the house back up together, the blockage is usually in the main sewer line, not the individual fixtures.
- Persistent foul smells: A sewage odour that doesn’t clear after cleaning points to a drainage or venting problem that chemical products won’t touch.
- Gurgling sounds: Bubbling or gurgling from drains or toilets when water runs elsewhere often signals a partial blockage or venting issue.
- Water backing up into other fixtures: If the toilet gurgles when you run the sink, or water comes up somewhere unexpected, call a plumber immediately.
- No improvement after treatment: If a drain cleaner used as directed hasn’t shifted the blockage, professional-grade equipment is the next step.
EKORP Plumbing handles blocked drains across St George, Sutherland Shire, and Georges River. We carry CCTV drain cameras and high-pressure water jetters on every job so we can find the blockage and clear it in a single visit. Licence 322223C. Available 24/7 with a 60-minute response and no callout fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drain Cleaners
What is the best drain cleaner in Australia?
It depends on the job. For a serious clog, Drano Max Gel or Selleys Liquid Drain Opener are hard to beat for speed. For regular monthly maintenance, Green Gobbler Bio-Flow strips or Earth Choice keep things moving without stressing your pipes. Matching the product to the problem is more important than picking a single winner.
Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaners regularly?
No. Chemical cleaners generate heat as they react, which over time softens PVC and corrodes older metal pipes. Use them for occasional severe blockages, then switch to an enzyme or natural product for ongoing maintenance. Frequent chemical use is often a sign of a deeper problem worth getting checked out.
What drain cleaner do plumbers use?
Honestly, most of us don’t reach for a bottle at all. The standard professional approach is a drain snake or high-pressure water jetter, which physically clears the blockage without any chemical risk to the pipes. For stubborn or mystery blockages, a CCTV camera goes down first to see exactly what’s going on before anything else happens.
Are natural drain cleaners effective?
For minor slow-downs and regular upkeep, yes. Enzyme products and the baking soda and vinegar method work well when you use them consistently. They’re not going to shift a full blockage on their own. Think of them as prevention rather than cure, and you’ll get good results.
Can drain cleaners damage pipes?
Chemical cleaners can, particularly with repeated use. The heat and caustic action that dissolves a blockage also stresses the pipe walls over time. That’s why enzyme and natural products are the better choice for routine maintenance, with chemical options saved for when you genuinely need them.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Drain Cleaner in Australia
Picking the right drain cleaner comes down to knowing what you’re dealing with. Chemical formulas cut through tough blockages fast, enzyme products keep pipes healthy over the long run, and natural DIY methods handle the light stuff without costing you much at all. A drain strainer in the shower and keeping cooking fat out of the kitchen sink will do more than any product to reduce how often you need any of them.
When the blockage is beyond what a bottle can handle, EKORP Plumbing is on call 24/7 across the St George, Sutherland Shire, and Georges River areas. We’ll be there within 60 minutes, there’s no callout fee, and our licence number is 322223C. Call us on 02 8667 5354 and we’ll get your drains flowing again.