Use a plunger , a drain snake , or a simple baking soda + vinegar mix for a shower drain clog. If the clog is mainly hair, the fastest fix is usually a drain snake or even pulling out visible hair by hand with gloves; if that fails, try a plunger, and then flush with hot water.

What works best

  • Hair clog: drain snake or a zip-it style hair remover.
  • Soap-scum buildup: baking soda, vinegar, then hot water.
  • Stubborn clog: a plunger with the overflow opening blocked so suction stays focused on the drain.

Safe steps

  1. Remove the drain cover and clear any visible debris.
  1. Try a plunger with enough water to cover the cup and seal the overflow opening.
  1. If that does not work, feed in a drain snake and twist to catch or break up the clog.
  1. Finish with hot water to flush loosened gunk.

Avoid this

  • Avoid pouring harsh chemical drain openers unless the label says they are safe for your plumbing, because they can be rough on pipes and are not always the best first choice.
  • Avoid boiling water if you have very delicate plumbing or a tub/shower setup where extreme heat could be a concern; warm or hot water is usually enough after mechanical clearing.

When to call a plumber

Call a plumber if the drain stays slow after plunging and snaking, if multiple drains are backing up, or if water is rising instead of going down.

A good quick answer is: start with a drain snake, then a plunger, then baking soda and vinegar if the clog seems greasy or soap-based.

Meta description: The best things to use to unclog a shower drain are a drain snake, plunger, or baking soda and vinegar, depending on whether the clog is hair or soap buildup.