What is the best drain cleaner for washing machine drain?

Clogged showers, laundry sinks, and washing machine lines are problems that almost every household encounters frequently. Resolving it may be messy and annoying but with a proper product, it can be a piece of cake. So, what is the best drain cleaner for washing machine drain?

The best drain cleaner for a washing machine line is XionLab Safer Drain Opener. Successfully removes all soap scum, grease, and fats from any washing machine drain. Besides, you can also try Drano, it’s extremely effective when it comes to this type of unclogging. 

However, keep in mind that drain cleaners are usually not very effective when it comes to cleaning the washing machine. Below, you’ll find out more about why this annoying problem keeps happening, how to prevent and resolve it, and much more. 

Can you pour drain cleaner down the washing machine drain?

Yes, you can pour drain cleaner down the washing machine drain, but there is one But! You can do that only if it’s straight in the drain.

It’s not recommended to put it inside of the washing machine or in the drainpipe (the pipe that connects the washing machine and drain).

Pouring in that pipe is okay only if the pipe is standard 2’’, has a p-trap to block the gasses and it’s sloped correctly.

If all that is done right, then you’re free to pour drain cleaner.

One more thing is important if your drain is physically clogged with a solid barrier, drain cleaners probably will not do the job perfectly.

Those types of barriers are most likely caused by lint and detergents from the washer and they are forming a solid mass that drains cleaner won’t break it down.

To resolve this problem you will have to snake it out (see below how). Here is one simple trick I use to prevent lint from going into the drain.

I put a nylon sock at the end of the draining pipe and clean it monthly so that’s saving me from those stubborn solid barriers. 

What causes the washing machine drain to overflow?

Before we talk about how to unclog the machine washing pipe drain and find the easiest solution we should mention what is causing this problem to be able to prevent it from coming back in the future.

Even though a blocked washing drain is usually the result of soap residue buildup and leftover lint and fragments, more factors are causing this problem.

 Below you’ll see what causes the washing machine drain to overflow.

1. Water stays in the washer

After the washing machine finishes the cleaning cycle there shouldn’t be any water in it. 

Anyway, if you notice water in it that means your washer is not working properly and you should call someone to fix it since it can cause serious drain clogging. 

2. Water is draining out from the washer but is backing up at pipes on the wall or the floor.

There can be several reasons why this issue is present:

• The p-trap is full and clogged. This pipe is in the shape of a letter U and usually, it’s behind the wall. As water goes through it lint, dirt, and detergent remains are staying at the bottom of the U and causing a clog and water return. 
• The home has cast-iron pipes which tend to build up sludge and rust if not used frequently. In case too much sludge builds up in the pipe cleaning or even replacing is needed. 
• The washer uses too much water and the pipes are too small for that capacity. Water cannot drain fast enough so it overflows.,
• The washer and kitchen are sharing the drain and that’s too much for your system. All the food remains and grease additionally slows the water flow.

How to unclog the washing machine drain and drainpipe?

There are a few methods and techniques for a successful unclogging machine drain and drain pipe.

You can try a couple of them or just choose one that best suits you. So, let’s see how to unclog the washing machine drain and drain pipe.

1. Clean the p-trap

First, grab a bucket and place it under the p-trap, to avoid potential water and residue spilling.

Unscrew the seal on the bottom of the tap and collect water and dirt in the bucket and clean it additionally if needed.

In case your p-trap doesn’t have a seal, unscrew the complete p-trap and rinse it. After you return everything as it was, test it, if it’s still not good, try some other techniques.

2. Try high-pressure cleaner

High-pressure cleaners are great tools for cleaning drains. However, if you want to use them to unblock your washing machine drain, you need a special tool: the sewer hose.

This tool attaches to the end of your high-pressure cleaner and you need to push it down the drain. Spray water through the drain to flush away the blockage.

3. Rinse the drain with boiling water and soda

When the blockage is located deeper than the p-trap you can try this DIY mixture. Fill a bucket with a pocket of soda and boiling water.

Remove the drain pipe from your washer and pour water into the drain. You may want to use a funnel. Test it by pouring water into it after a few minutes. 

4. Use a drain cleaner

Choose one drain cleaner, I recommend XionLab Safer Drain Opener or Drano. Whichever you choose, follow the simple steps in the manual.

Keep in mind that some cleaning products may have two components you need to pour into the drain one after another. 

One of the most effective ways to remove existing clogs is manual. Take a look below at the simplest way to do that.

How to snake a laundry drain?

If you want to know what is the best drain cleaner for washing machine drain it is snake drain.

I must say this is the most effective and the longest-lasting technique for cleaning the pipe and drain.

It’s an excellent alternative to liquid drain cleaners. Its main benefit is that a stainless steel cleaner can catch most clogs no matter where it is located.

So, how to snake a laundry drain?

To operate a snake first remove the trap from the drain and go into the drain from there.

Push it to its end. When you can’t go further that means you have reached a blockage. Turn the drain snake around and back and forth a little bit until you break the blockade.

Pull the snake out and repeat a drain cycle to be sure that everything is working properly now.

Best drain cleaner for washing machine drain

If you’re still interested you can use some drain cleaner. As I already mentioned, in my opinion, the best drain cleaner for washing machine drain is XionLab Safer Drain Opener. 

That’s a thick gel used to remove the blockage and to remove detergent residues, lint, hair, oils, and grease.

One bottle of this non-splashing gel contains 32 ounces. It’s non-flammable, biodegradable, and odorless.

In case you’re not completely satisfied with this product you can return it and get a refund for the entire purchase price.  

You can use it to unclog not only the washing machine drain but also the sink, shower, or bathtub.

It’s enough to pour cleaner down the drain, wait for about 30 minutes and flush it with hot water.

You don’t need to worry about your septic system as XionLab Safer Drain Opener is completely safe because of its non-corrosive formula

However, you should know that this, like almost all other drain cleaners, will not dissolve clogs caused by paper, plastic, or food particles.

Homemade drain cleaner with baking soda and vinegar

In case you’re interested in some DIY more eco-friendly, but also fast solutions you can try homemade drain cleaner with baking soda and vinegar. It’s also budget-friendly! 🙂

Before you begin, unscrew the drain screen and remove visible blockages. First, pour one cup of baking soda into the drain and half of the cup of vinegar.

Cover it with a plug. Leave the mixture for around 30 minutes to do its job and afterward flush the drain with boiling water. You can repeat the process if it’s needed. 

How to prevent washing machine drain overflow? 

Some practices can help us to avoid almost every household issue that keeps coming back like a boomerang.

Try to include these strategies in your cleaning routine and be sure that you’ll be one who’s telling others how to prevent washing machine drain overflow.

• Keep clean washer’s hoses and drain pipe
• Chose quality laundry detergent to avoid larger amounts of soap residues
• Clean your washing machine’s filter or lint trap
• Make sure there is at last 1/2” of space between the drain pipe and discharge hose for ventilation
• Use a garment bag to reduce the risk of clogs

Frequently asked questions

To sum it up!

We know that cleaning a dirty and smelly washing machine drain can be a real nightmare and a never-ending task. That’s why we offered you a couple of methods that will resolve your problem. If you want to know what is the best drain cleaner for washing machine drain, per my experience that’s XionLab Safer Drain Opener.

On the other hand, if you want the most effective technique try to snake a laundry drain as I explained above.

In case you need more advice, leave us a comment and our team will gladly assist you. Happy cleaning!