Can you put Drano in a garbage disposal? 

Many homeowners instinctively reach for caustic drain cleans like Drano, when their kitchen sinks develop a clog. Thanks to their ability to dissolve organic matters that have clogged the sink’s pipes and drain. In addition, a bottle of Drani liquid drain cleaner is quite affordable, easy to use, readily available, and provides instant results. 

However, before you reach out for a Drano drain cleaner, there are some important factors you need to consider, especially if you’ve got a garbage disposal. To be precise, you have to ask yourself; is Drano safe to use on garbage disposals? Or will it end up harming your garbage disposal? 

Well, let’s find out to help you decide whether you can put Drano in a garbage disposal! First, here are some things you probably don’t know about Drano. 

What’s Drano? 

Drano is a chemical drain cleaner that is commonly used to remove and dissolve clogs in household plumbing. Specifically, it’s designed to dissolve soap scum, hair, and other organic matter that can clog the drain pipes. It has a highly concentrated formula that is made up of Sodium nitrate, aluminum chips, and sodium hydroxide (lye). More notably, it’s available in both gel and liquid form. 

When mixed with water, Drano generates heat and creates a strong chemical reaction that dissolves various clog-causing materials. The only issue with Drano drain cleaner is that it has some harmful effects, so you have to handle it with caution. Other than that, it’s a great temporary solution for severe clogs. 

Different types of Drano Products 

There are various types of Drano products, each designed to handle a specific type of clog. The most common Drano cleaner products are; 

• Drano Max Gel

Drano Max is the most popular Drano cleaner product. It has a thick gel formula that clings to drain pipes and breaks down the clogs quickly. More importantly, it’s designed for use in bathroom and kitchen sinks, showers, and tubs. 

• Drano Kitchen Granules 

As the name suggests, Drano kitchen granules are designed for use in the kitchen. Moreover, their formula dissolves tough clogs caused by food particles and grease. 

• Drano Dual Force Foamer 

This Drano product creates a foaming action that helps to clear the pipes and dissolve clogs in toilets. 

• Drano Snake Plus 

Drano snake plus is a combination of a plumbing snake and a drain cleaner. Like other Drano products, it is designed to break down tough clogs and get rid of them from the drain pipes. 

How Does Drano Work? 

As mentioned earlier, Drano products work by creating heat and triggering a chemical reaction that dissolves clogs in drain pipes. Drano is available in a bottle that has 2 compartments. That way, when you pour it down the drain, the chemicals in its formula mix and react with the clog to break it down and dissolve it. In the meantime, the heat generated by the chemical reaction melts any oil and grease that may be causing the clog. In addition, chemicals in Drano products penetrate the clog in its liquid form to expand and produce gas that dislodges the clog from the inside out. 

Can you put Drano in a garbage disposal? 

S.C Johnson, the manufacturer of Drano, claims that all Drano products, except Drano Kitchen Crystals, are safe to use in garbage disposals. However, most professional plumbers strictly advise against using Drano in your garbage disposal. In short, the answer is No; you should not put Drano in a garbage disposal. 

Here’s why! 

Drano products have strong chemicals that usually damage the pipes of your garbage disposal. After all, the main ingredient in Drano products is sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as lye or caustic soda. When mixed with water, this compound triggers a chemical reaction that can corrode parts of your garbage disposal and cause harsh burns. On top of that, this acidic/ caustic compound will wear down and erode fittings, pipes as well as garbage disposal. 

In addition, the chemical reaction caused by Drano products generates a considerable amount of heat. While this heat can help to break down and dissolve stubborn clogs, it can also damage the parts of your garbage disposal, causing all sorts of problems. 

Lastly, if Drano products do not dissolve the clog fully, the heat and gases will be produced in the grinding chamber of the garbage disposal. As a result, the heat and gases produced by Drano will escape into the sink, releasing harmful fumes into the kitchen and potentially causing severe burns. 

Alternative ways to unclog your garbage disposal without Drano 

While using Drano can be incredibly helpful in some scenarios, you may find that you can unclog your garbage disposal with a safer method. Besides there are various ways to unclog a garbage disposal without using a caustic drain cleaner. These methods include; 

• Using a Hex/ Allen wrench 

In most cases, you can easily unclog your garbage disposal without using any chemicals. After all, most garbage disposal clogs are caused by food items stuck between the rotor and the disposal canister’s casing. As a result, the rotor locks up, causing the drain to overflow. 

Fortunately, you can release the rotor by inserting a garbage disposal Allen wrench into the hex slot located in the middle of the rotor from underneath the unit. Turn the Allen wrench back and forth until you dislodge the clog from the rotor. Once you’ve done that, run water into the sink and turn it on to flush the clog down the drain. 

• Plunger method 

A sink plunger can be an effective tool for clearing clogs that have developed in the pipes past your garbage disposal. Simply put the sink plunger over the drain opening and push it up and down vigorously to create sufficient suction and dislodge the clog. 

For better results, make sure the sink plunger covers the drain opening completely to create sufficient suction. In addition, there should be an inch or so of water in the kitchen sink to increase the chances of breaking up the clog. 

• Baking soda and vinegar 

A mixture of white vinegar and baking soda is a natural and effective remedy for clearing minor clogs in your garbage disposal. Better yet, this approach is relatively easy since you only need to pour a cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let the mixture sit on the garbage disposal for a few minutes then flush the drain with running water. 

• Using safer chemicals

If you prefer the convenience of chemicals, consider using a safer chemical like Liquid-Plumr instead of Drano. The active ingredient of Liquid-Plumr is citric acid, the chemical that makes lemon sour, as opposed to the sodium hydroxide found in Drano. While a safer chemical may take some time to work, it’s completely safe for you, your garbage disposal, and the environment.

• Plumbing snake 

If the above methods do not work to release the clog in your garbage disposal, try using a plumbing snake. Typically, a plumbing snake refers to a long, flexible wire that can be inserted into the drain to break up and release clogs. However, you need to disassemble the P-trap and snake out the drain to get rid of clogs within the reach of the plumbing snake. 

Conclusion- Can you put Drano in a garbage disposal? 

Overall, while the manufacturer claims Drano is safe to use in garbage disposals, it’s not recommended. This is because Drano cleaning products are acidic/ caustic, meaning they will erode and wear down the components of your garbage disposal and other fittings. However, if you’re still planning to use a drain cleaner to unclog your garbage disposal, I’d recommend you use an enzyme-based or safer chemical instead of Drano.

People Also Ask 

• Can you use Drano in other types of drains? 

While Drano is not safe to use in garbage disposals, it’s safe to use in other types of drains. For instance, you can use it in bathtub drains, shower drains, and bathroom sinks. 

• How long does it take for Drano to work? 

Drano usually takes about 30 – 60 minutes to dissolve a clog. However, it can take longer if the clog is severe. 

• Is Drano toxic? 

Yes, Drain is a highly toxic drain cleaning product for humans and animals. For instance, Drano contains harsh chemicals that can cause rashes, burnt skin, and allergic skin reactions. Also, Drano produces harmful fumes that can cause breathing problems when inhaled.