Does the Zip Tie Drain Hack Actually Work? I Tested It.
Slow drains are one of those homeowner annoyances that start small… and then suddenly you’re standing in a puddle of shower water wondering what went wrong.
I recently saw a “house hack” floating around that claimed you could use a simple zip tie to pull hair out of a clogged drain. No chemicals. No plumber. Just a zip tie.
Naturally, I had to test it.
The Idea Behind the Hack
The concept is pretty simple: Hair is one of the most common causes of slow drains, especially in bathroom sinks and showers. A zip tie with small nicks cut into it can grab onto hair and pull it back out of the drain.
It sounded almost too easy… so I gave it a try.
What I Used
A standard plastic zip tie (the longer the better)
A utility knife (to cut small notches)
A strong stomach 😅
What Happened When I Tested It
I slowly fed the zip tie down into the drain, twisted it gently, and pulled it back out.
And yes… it worked. Not only did it work — it pulled out some gunk along with the hair.
Was it a little gross? Absolutely. Was it effective? Also yes.
Why This Hack Is Worth Trying First
Before reaching for harsh drain chemicals or calling a plumber, this is a great first step:
It’s cheap (you probably already have zip ties)
No chemicals going into your pipes
Takes less than a minute
Can help prevent bigger clogs down the road
A Few Quick Tips
This works best for hair clogs, not grease or food buildup
Go slowly so you don’t scratch the drain or push the clog deeper
Rinse with hot water afterward to help clear anything left behind
Final Verdict
This one passed the test.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s a simple, practical home tip that actually does what it claims — and those are my favorite kinds.
If you want to see exactly how I did it (and the very real results), check out the video above 👆
