Shower Drain Keeps Clogging? The Catcher That Stops Hair for Good
Hair slips past the drain cover and binds with soap scum. Clear it without harsh chemicals, then add a catcher so the next clog never forms.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 6 min read
- Time
- 20 min
- Cost
- Under $20
- Difficulty
- Easy
In this guide
Quick answer
Shower drains clog because hair slips past the cover and binds with soap scum a few inches down. Pull out what you can reach, clear the rest with a barbed plastic strip, then fit a silicone hair catcher so hair never gets in again. Skip repeated chemical drain cleaners.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Pull out the hair and flush
- Lift the cover and pull out the hair you can see
- Run a barbed strip down the drain, twist and pull
- Flush with very hot tap water
- Never pour boiling water down the drain
How long it lasts: A few weeks to a few months. Hair keeps slipping past the wide cover slots, so the clog rebuilds.
A silicone shower drain hair catcher
Most shower clogs start as hair and soap scum a few inches down. A catcher keeps the hair out of the pipe, so there is nothing to bind. The clearing steps remove today's clog, and the catcher stops the next one.
What to get: Silicone shower drain hair catcher
How long it lasts: Years. You empty it every few showers, and the pipe stays clear.
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What you'll need
-
Rubber gloves
For pulling out the hair
You have it - Illustration
Barbed plastic drain strip
Pulls hair out of the pipe and is gentler on it than a bent wire hanger
- Our pick Illustration
Silicone shower drain hair catcher
Match it to your drain type; see the section below
- Illustration
Hand-crank mini drain auger
Only for clogs a plastic strip cannot reach
Why it happens
Hair that gets past the cover
Most factory drain covers have wide slots. Hair slides through, catches on the first rough spot in the pipe, and builds up from there. A single long strand is enough to start a snag.
Soap scum acting as glue
Bar soap and body wash leave a sticky film. It coats the pipe walls and binds hair and skin flakes into a dense plug. Hard water makes the film thicker and harder to rinse away.
A partial clog that was never fully cleared
Pouring a cleaner through a slow drain often opens a small channel but leaves the plug. Water flows for a few days, then it clogs again, usually faster than before because the leftover mass keeps catching new hair.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
-
Remove the cover and pull out what you see
Tool used: Rubber glovesUnscrew or pop off the cover, wear gloves and pull out the hair. Many covers lift with a flat screwdriver.
-
Run a barbed plastic strip down the drain
Tool used: Barbed plastic drain stripPush the strip all the way in, twist it and pull it out slowly. Hair comes up on the barbs. Repeat until it comes up clean.
IllustrationCheck price on AmazonTool for this step
Barbed plastic drain strip · Pulls hair out of the pipe and is gentler on it than a bent wire hanger
-
Flush with very hot tap water
Run hot water for a minute or two. Do not pour boiling water down the drain, since it can soften PVC joints and crack porcelain.
-
Fit a catcher and empty it often
Tool used: Silicone shower drain hair catcherDrop a catcher in the drain and empty it every few showers, or sooner with long hair. Rinse it in the sink, and brush your hair before you step in so less loose hair ends up in the water.
IllustrationCheck price on AmazonTool for this step
Silicone shower drain hair catcher · Match it to your drain type; see the section below
When free fixes aren't enough
If the strip comes up clean but the drain stays slow, the clog is deeper and a mini auger can reach it. If the sink and toilet are slow too, the tub gurgles when another fixture drains, or you smell sewage, the problem is the main line, so call a plumber. And if you are clearing this drain every month or two, you are rebuilding the same plug each time. That is when a catcher earns its place: it takes hair out of the equation.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | Silicone shower drain hair catcher | hair entering the pipe, which causes most clogs | Anyone with long hair, or a household with several people sharing one shower. | Check price |
| Budget pick | Barbed plastic drain cleaning strips | an existing hair clog you can reach by hand | Anyone with a slow drain right now who wants to avoid chemicals. | Check price |
| Upgrade pick | Hand-crank mini drain auger | stubborn clogs a plastic strip cannot reach | People who clear the drain more than twice a year. | Check price |
Silicone shower drain hair catcher
Fixes: hair entering the pipe, which causes most clogs
Look for: Sized for your drain type, so check the section below; Soft silicone that wipes clean and does not rust; A shape you can lift out without touching the hair.
- Who it's for
- Anyone with long hair, or a household with several people sharing one shower.
- Honest downside
- Your drain has a built-in pop-up stopper that you cannot remove. Measure first.
Barbed plastic drain cleaning strips
Fixes: an existing hair clog you can reach by hand
Look for: Thin and flexible enough for your drain opening; Barbs on both edges; Long enough to pass the first bend.
- Who it's for
- Anyone with a slow drain right now who wants to avoid chemicals.
- Honest downside
- The strip comes up clean but the drain stays slow, or other drains are slow too. The clog is deeper, so use an auger or call a plumber.
Hand-crank mini drain auger
Fixes: stubborn clogs a plastic strip cannot reach
Look for: A cable thin enough for a shower drain; A comfortable hand grip; A plastic or coated head that will not scratch the pipe.
- Who it's for
- People who clear the drain more than twice a year.
- Honest downside
- You have old or fragile pipes. A plumber will handle them with more care.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't show prices because they change, so use the button to see today's price.
How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on plumbing and drain-care guides, product instructions from drain tool makers, and the problems and fixes people report in reviews. We do not test products by hand.
Which drain do you have? The catcher has to match
- Open grate with screws: unscrew it and fit a flat silicone cover or a drop-in basket that sits under the grate.
- Pop-up or toe-touch stopper: pull it out, then use a catcher made for that stopper style.
- Lift-and-turn stopper: unscrew the top, and a drop-in catcher usually fits the opening below.
- Tub drain with a strainer: measure the width of the opening before you buy.
What to skip
Repeated chemical drain cleaners
Strong liquid cleaners often burn a channel through a hair clog and leave the rest. They can also be hard on older pipes. If one does not work, leave it alone. The caustic water sitting in the drain is dangerous to splash, and a plumber will need to be told.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my shower drain keep clogging after using Drano?
Does baking soda and vinegar clear a shower drain?
Can I use a plunger on a shower drain?
When should I call a plumber?
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