If your sink or bath is draining slowly, there’s a good chance hair is the reason.

Whether it’s after washing your hair, bathing your pet, or just everyday use, hair builds up in plugholes more quickly than you think.

And once it starts mixing with soap and grease, it can turn into a stubborn blockage.

So how do you remove hair from drains, and stop it coming back?

Why Hair Builds Up in Drains

Hair doesn’t just wash away.

As it goes down the drain, it catches on the inside of your pipes and starts to collect. Over time, it binds together with:

• Soap residue
• Grease
• Dirt

This creates a blockage that slows water flow and can eventually stop it completely.

If you’ve noticed water draining more slowly, hair build-up is usually the cause.

Why It Gets Worse in Homes with Pets

If you have pets, you’re dealing with more than just your own hair.

Bathing your dog, rinsing muddy paws, or even washing pet bedding can send extra hair down the drain.

During shedding season, this increases significantly as more hair moves through your home and into your drains.

Having a simple routine in place makes a big difference, especially during peak shedding periods.

Signs You Have Hair Build-Up in Your Drain

Hair build-up doesn’t always cause a full blockage straight away.

Look out for:

• Slow draining water
• Water pooling in sinks or baths
• Unpleasant smells
• Gurgling sounds from the drain

Catching it early makes it much easier to deal with.

The Best Way to Remove Hair from Drains

To properly remove hair from drains, you need to break it down.

Using Vamoosh Plughole Unblocker works by dissolving both pet and human hair, helping clear blockages rather than just pushing them further down. This product is septic tank safe and doesn't contain harsh chemicals. 

Here’s how to use it:

• Pour half a bottle into the plughole
• Leave for 30 minutes (or overnight for tougher blockages)
• Rinse thoroughly with hot water

As it works, it breaks down the keratin structure in hair, helping it wash away completely.

Why This Works Better Than DIY Fixes

You might have tried things like:

• Boiling water
• Baking soda and vinegar
• Drain snakes

While these can help temporarily, they don’t fully break down hair.

That means the blockage often comes back.

Using a solution designed to dissolve hair helps deal with the problem properly.

How to Prevent Hair Build-Up in Drains

Once your drain is clear, a little maintenance goes a long way.

Especially in homes with pets, regular use helps prevent build-up before it becomes a problem.

This is particularly important if you:

• Bathe your pet at home
• Wash muddy paws in the sink
• Notice frequent slow draining

Keeping on top of it means no sudden blockages or unexpected issues.

A Better Way to Stay on Top of It

Hair build-up in drains is easy to ignore, until it becomes a bigger problem.

Dealing with it early makes everything simpler:

• No slow draining water
• No unpleasant smells
• No last minute fixes

Just plugholes that work as they should.

Looking to Tackle Pet Hair Across Your Home?

Hair build-up in your drains is just one part of the problem.

During shedding season, pet hair can collect on clothing, in blankets, inside your washing machine, and eventually end up in your plugholes too.

Read our Shedding Season Survival 101 guide for a simple routine that tackles pet hair at every stage.

Getting on top of it early makes everything easier, from laundry to drains.