How to Shave Without Clogging the Drain

Let's face it. A clogged drain is super frustrating for wet shavers. It's a common problem after a smooth shave, especially if you clean your blades in the sink or shower - hair and drains just don't mix! Hair clumps mixed with shaving products are a plumbing nightmare, ruining that smooth, freshly shaved feeling.

But don't worry! With a few pro tricks and a couple of clever gadgets, you can keep your pipes clear, your bathroom spotless, and your plumber on permanent vacation.

Why Does Shaving Clog Drains?

Hair doesn't dissolve in water. So, even tiny hairs don't break down and wash away easily when shaving. The bigger problem happens when hair combines with shaving cream, soap scum, pre shave oils, and other gunk. This sticky mess clings to pipes, causing annoying clogs.

How to Shave Without Clogging the Bathroom Sink

Shaving over the bathroom sink is a classic, but it's also where many drain issues begin. Here's how to shave without making a mess or blocking your pipes at the sink:

Try a Dry Shave (Electric Razor)

Want to shave in the sink without clogged drains? Simple: Dry shave with an electric shaver!

Dry shaving is one of the best options to keep your sink or shower drain clear, and many shavers with sensitive skin find them gentler than traditional razors since the blades don't directly touch your skin.

Electric shavers have hair capture chambers that catch hair as you shave. Once they're full, just pop them open and dump the hair in the trash.

Freebird's FlexSeries Pro has a large hair capture chamber, making it a good choice for mess-free shaving on any part of your body.

Rinse Smarter: Don't Rinse the Lather in the Sink

If you wet shave, rinse smarter to avoid clogs. Just make it a habit of rinsing your blades in a separate bowl or cup of warm water instead of your sink.

Use a Drain Hair Catcher to Catch Hair Before it Escapes

If shaving in the sink is your thing, using a drain hair catcher can be a game-changer. These clever gadgets trap hair clippings and prevent them from escaping into your plumbing.

The SinkShroom is a popular choice it claims to catch strands of hair and even lost jewelry before they clog your drain.

Once you've added your sink strainer, throw hair clippings and shaving cream in the trash after you shave, and don't rinse them down the sink.

Cover the Sink with a Towel or Garbage Bag

Covering your sink before shaving is another easy way of preventing a clogged sink. Place a towel, garbage bag, or paper towel directly over your sink drain, covering it completely. Now you have a temporary hair catcher for hair clippings and shaving cream. It's not glamorous, but it works!

Shaving Outdoors

Skip the sink and consider shaving outdoors or over a trash can. It might raise an eyebrow or two from passersby, but this method is a foolproof way for preventing drain clogs.

If you own a FlexSeries Pro or an electric shaver like we mentioned previously, you can dry shave anywhere: in the car, outdoors, in the office, or even at the gym!

How to Shave in the Shower Without Clogging the Drain

Shaving in the shower is super convenient, but it can be a drain's worst nightmare if you're not careful.

Install a Quality Shower Drain Catcher

Remember our sink clog solution earlier? A quality shower drain catcher also helps showers by trapping loose hairs before they enter your pipes.

Rinse Wisely (Using Shower Power)

Instead of letting large clumps of hair wash down your drain, why not use your shower's powerful jets to your advantage?

Keep your shower running while you wet shave. This breaks up clumps easily so you can sweep them towards your hair catcher for easy cleanup.

Shaving Different Body Parts Without Clogging the Drain

No matter what body part you're shaving, applying our hacks can prevent a call to your plumber on a Sunday morning.

How to Shave Your Head Without Clogging the Drain

For head shavers, longer hair clippings are usually the reason for clogging. To avoid this, always pre-trim with clippers. If you're using an electric rotary shaver like the FlexSeries Pro, dry shave and empty the hairs from the collection chamber into the trash, never into the shower drain.

If wet shaving, pre-trim any significant growth with clippers over a trash can before adding water.

How to Shave Your Beard Without Clogging the Drain

Beard hair is another drain clogger. If you don't want to call your plumber, always pre-trim your beard and facial hair over a dry trash can, towel, or newspaper before you even think about applying shaving cream or water. Once it's trimmed to stubble length, you can proceed with either sink or shower shaving methods we shared above.

How to Shave Your Legs Without Clogging the Drain

Similar to beards, longer leg hair can cause clogging. To keep your pipes clear, trim leg hair with electric clippers over a trash can before taking a shower. This greatly reduces hair that goes down the drain.

How to Shave Pubes Without Clogging the Drain

When shaving pubic hair, make it a habit to pre-trim over a trash can and use our shower tips. The FlexSeries Pro is a good option here, as you can pre-trim with the hair clipper attachment and shave your pubes with the rotary shaver after.

How to Shave Without Clogging the Drain: General Maintenance and Prevention

Beyond your shaving routine, a little proactive drain care can help keep your pipes clear and prevent hair clogs all year round.

Run Hot Water with Dish Detergent after You Shave

You might have heard about white vinegar and baking soda for cleaning your drain, but they don't always work for major clogs. They're just not strong enough to cut through grease, which is what most clogs are.

To prevent hair clogs, use a mixture of dish detergent and hot water. Dish detergent contains degreasers that melt grease buildup in pipes. Slowly pour this hot water mixture into your drain after a shave to keep your pipes in tip-top shape.

Clean the Drain Regularly

Regularly cleaning your drain with a drain auger can keep your sink and shower drains clog-free. For an even better clean, use the mixture of dish detergent and hot water we've just talked about.

Don't even think about using chemical drain cleaners since they can damage or corrode your pipes, leading to much bigger (and more expensive) problems down the road. Stick to your drain auger and dish detergent mixture to prevent clogs.

The Bottom Line

Don't let drain clogs and plumbing issues steal the joy from your shaving routine. Follow our tips and you can enjoy clog-free shaves every time. I shave weekly and have not experienced clogging in my sink or shower since I started using these hacks.

For the best shaving experience, check out the FlexSeries Pro. It's designed to help you shave without the mess!

Get one now for only $ !

FAQs

Can You Let Shaved Hair Go Down the Drain?

No, that's not a great idea. Hair is insoluble; it doesn't dissolve in water. Instead, it can bind with soap scum, shaving cream residue, and oils, creating stubborn, tangled messes that adhere to pipe walls and restrict water flow over time. Always toss hair in the trash to avoid clogging.

How to Shave Without Hair Going Down the Drain?

The easiest way to shave without clogging the drain is to use an electric shaver like Freebird's FlexSeries or FlexSeries Pro, which collects hair internally.

For manual shavers, cover your sink with paper towels, a towel, or garbage bags to catch hairs and shaving cream. You can also rinse your blades in a separate bowl of warm water.

Will Shaving My Head in the Shower Clog the Drain?

Yes, shaving in the shower may clog your drain over time if preventive measures aren't taken. As hair, shaving products, oils, and other debris build up in the drain, they can turn into stubborn clogs.

What is the Best Way to Remove Hair from a Shower Drain?

Using a drain auger is one of the most effective ways of removing hair from your shower drain. Combine this with hot water and dish detergent to keep your drains clog-free. Forget baking soda and white vinegar since they're ineffective mixtures for major clogs.

Can You Flush Hair Down the Toilet?

No, you should avoid flushing hair down the toilet as hair is insoluble and can easily combine with other flushed materials to form stubborn clogs in your pipes. While the immediate flush might not show clogging, hair often accumulates over time, leading to significant blockages that are difficult and costly to remove.

Can Hair Go Down the Shower Drain?

Yes, hair can and often does go down the shower drain if no steps are taken to prevent it. But letting this happen may cause drain clogs when it combines with soap scum, body oils, and shaving cream.

Is it Okay to Shave in the Shower?

Yes, it is perfectly okay to shave in the shower, as long as you use a shower drain hair catcher or pre-trim longer hair over a trash can beforehand. For zero clogs, shaving in the shower with an electric razor like the FlexSeries Pro is one of the best options.

Does Shaving Cream Clog Drains?

On its own, nope. But when it mixes with hair and soap scum, it can help form tough clogs. Shaving cream residue is sticky and can act as a binding agent, adhering to the inside of pipes and trapping loose hairs, making them much harder to clear.

Can Beard Hair Go Down the Sink?

No, even short trimmings can cause clogs over time. Always use a drain catcher when trimming your beard, or better yet, dry or wet shave with a rotary shaver or foil shaver with dedicated hair chambers.