House Grail is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

7 Best Drain Cleaners for Main Line Pipes in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

pipe cleaner down the kitchen sink drain

pipe cleaner down the kitchen sink drain_onebit

Main line pipes carry waste from all the smaller drains in the home to the sewer system. A clog in this pipe can quickly cause a big headache, which causes many people to wonder what the best drain cleaners for these pipes are so they can prepare. If this sounds like your situation, keep reading these reviews of the best options available today to help you keep your drainpipes running smoothly.

divider 4

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener
  • High-density formula
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Won’t damage pipes
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Roebic K-97 Main Line Cleaner Roebic K-97 Main Line Cleaner
  • Biodegradable
  • Safe for all plumbing
  • Good for low-flow toilets
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover
  • Easy to use
  • Thick formula
  • Odorless
  • Instant Power Enzyme Drain Cleaner Instant Power Enzyme Drain Cleaner
  • Cleans and deodorizes
  • Enzyme based
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Liquid Fire Drain Opener Liquid Fire Drain Opener
  • Includes drain snake
  • Unscented
  • Sulfuric acid
  • The 7 Best Drain Cleaners for Main Line Pipes

    1. Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener — Best Overall

    Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener

    Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener is our pick as the best overall drain cleaner for mainline pipes. It uses a high-density formula to break down tough clogs and works on hair, grease, oil, soap, and more. It won’t damage your pipes and is environmentally friendly, so you can feel better about using it. It’s a great choice for cleaning out main line pipes, as well as kitchen sinks, toilets, and bathrooms.

    Green Goblin works well, but it can be slow to take effect, especially on tough clogs.

    Pros
    • High-density formula
    • Environmentally friendly
    • Won’t damage pipes
    Cons
    • Slow to work

    2. Roebic Main Line Cleaner — Best Value

    Roebic K-97 Main Line Cleaner

    The Roebic K-97 Main Line Cleaner is our pick as the best drain cleaner for main line pipes for the money. It uses waste-degrading bacteria to destroy clogs and help maintain a clean main line. The bacteria biodegrade, so it’s better for the environment and safe for all plumbing. Many users state that it’s good for maintaining low-flow toilets, and its low cost makes it easy to keep a supply on hand.

    The downside to the Roebic main line cleaner is that there are few instructions telling you how to use it correctly, and it works extremely slowly, so it is better for maintenance than removing clogs.

    Pros
    • Biodegradable
    • Safe for all plumbing
    • Good for low-flow toilets
    Cons
    • Poor instructions
    • Better for maintenance

    3. Green Gobbler Industrial Strength Gel — Premium Choice

    Green Gobbler Industrial Strength Grease and Hair Drain Clog Remover

    Green Gobbler Industrial Strength Grease and Hair Drain Clog Remover is our premium choice drain cleaner for main line pipes. This drain cleaner uses Green Gobbler’s strongest formula to destroy clogs quickly, and many users report that it often only takes one application to get the plumbing working again. It’s easy to use, and the thick formula is easy to see, so you can be sure it gets to the clog. Another benefit to this option is that it doesn’t produce any odor, so you won’t need to worry about ventilation.

    The downside to Green Gobbler Industrial Strength is that it is quite expensive compared to many other brands, and you need to pour a large amount of it onto a clog to get it to work.

    Pros
    • Easy to use
    • Thick formula
    • Odorless
    • Often only takes one application
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Requires a large amount

    4. Instant Power Enzyme Drain Cleaner

    Instant Power Enzyme Drain Cleaner

    Instant Power Enzyme Drain Cleaner, as the name suggests, uses enzymes to destroy clogs and help maintain a clean system. The enzymes biodegrade, so the cleaner is environmentally friendly and won’t damage your plumbing. It works well on the main line, but you can also use it to clean and deodorize your toilet, sink, and shower drains.

    The primary downside to the Instant Power drain cleaner is that it works slowly and might take longer than expected to break up a tough clog.

    Pros
    • Cleans and deodorizes
    • Enzyme based
    • Environmentally friendly
    Cons
    • Slow

    5. Liquid Fire Drain Opener

    Liquid Fire Drain Opener

    Liquid Fire Drain Cleaner is an amazing product that uses sulfuric acid to help release tough clogs in your main line or any pipe. Many users report that it removes clogs in seconds without damaging the pipes or producing a foul smell. This product also comes with a drain snake to help you release clogs near the surface.

    The downside to Liquid Fire Drain Opener is that the harsh sulfuric acid can cause skin burns, ruin fabric, and damage many other materials that it touches. Always wear protective eyewear and gloves when using this product.

    Pros
    • Includes drain snake
    • Unscented
    • Sulfuric acid
    Cons
    • Can cause skin burns

    6. Betterbilt Chemicals Kleen-Out Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener

    Betterbilt Chemicals Kleen-Out Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener

    Betterbilt Chemicals Kleen-Out Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener is a sulfuric acid-based cleaner that works quickly to remove even the toughest clogs. It will help keep your main line and the rest of your pipes running smoothly without damaging them or creating a foul odor.

    The downside to the Betterbilt Chemicals cleaner is that the strong acid can burn your skin if you are not careful while using it, and it can also tarnish your fixtures, causing them to appear dull or discolored. Another problem with this brand is that the container is small, so there is only enough for a few clogs.

    Pros
    • Works fast
    • Sulfuric acid
    • No odor
    Cons
    • Can tarnish fixtures
    • Can burn skin
    • Small container

    7. Black Diamond GET SERIOUS Grease Trap Treatment

    Black Diamond Stoneworks GET SERIOUS Grease Trap Treatment Commercial Enzyme Drain Opener

    Black Diamond Stoneworks GET SERIOUS Grease Trap Treatment Commercial Enzyme Drain Opener is a professional-strength drain cleaner and opener that harnesses the power of biodegradable enzymes to help clear clogged drains and keep the main line clean. The enzymes destroy organic material and deodorize the pipes without causing any damage to them.

    The downside to the Black Diamond enzyme cleaner is that the enzymes can take a long time to eat through a clog, and you will often need to add more before you see results. Another problem many users report is that this brand doesn’t work well in removing scale buildup from hard water.

    Pros
    • Professional strength
    • Enzyme cleaner
    • Deodorizes
    Cons
    • Slow
    • Doesn’t remove scale buildup

    divider 4

    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Drain Cleaners for Main Line Pipes

    Enzyme-Based Cleaners

    Enzyme-based cleaners use helpful bacteria that feast on organic materials like grease and feces to break up tough clogs. Once the bacteria finish eating, they die off and biodegrade, making them an environmentally friendly option. While these cleaners work well, they often take a long time, and you might have to do several applications before the drain is clear. Brands with a high concentration of enzymes will work faster, but it isn’t always easy to determine the concentration by reading the packaging.

    Enzyme Cleaners
    Image Credit: Peakpx

    Enzyme Cleaner Uses

    Enzyme cleaners are ideal if you have a large family or pets because they are non-toxic, odorless, and environmentally friendly. They work a bit slower but are quite effective, so use one when you’re not in a hurry. It’s also a great item to add to your system when you don’t have a clog because it will help keep the pipes clean, reducing the risk of a future problem.

    Sulfuric Acid-Based Cleaners

    Sulfuric acid-based cleaners are extremely effective and can usually release tough clogs in a fraction of the time that it takes enzyme-based cleaners. However, the strong acid is dangerous and can burn your skin if you touch it and your lungs if you inhale the vapor. The acid will also damage clothing, tarnish fixtures, and more.

    Drain
    Image Credit: Pixabay

    Sulfuric Acid Cleaner Uses

    Sulfuric acid is extremely powerful, so use this option when you need to clear the pipes quickly, even at the risk of burning your skin or tarnishing your fixtures.

    divider 4

    Conclusion

    Among these reviews for drain cleaners for mainline pipes, we highly recommend our pick as the best overall, Green Gobbler Ultimate Main Drain Opener. It uses a high-density formula to break up clogs and help maintain a cleaner environment in your main line pipes, so you will experience fewer problems down the road. Another great choice is our pick as the best value. The Roebic K-97 Main Line Cleaner uses enzymes to break down organic material, releasing clogs and helping keep your main line clean. It’s inexpensive and safe for all plumbing.


    Featured Image Credit By: onebit, Shutterstock

    Contents

    Related posts

    OUR categories

    Project ideas

    Hand & power tools

    woodworking

    Garden

    Automotive