In a pinch, you can place a fabric softener sheet over a drain opening. These work well as they are porous, and they allow water to flow through them while trapping any hair.  Afterwards, throw the sheet away.  Make sure your drain is covered, and the sheet can’t go down the drain.  Otherwise, the sheet can clog your pipes.

Underneath drain screens are installed in the middle of the pipe below the drain opening. You usually can’t see them if you’re looking down at the drain.  To install them, you need to remove any drain covers by either turning or removing their fastener screws.  In most cases, you need to apply plumber’s putty around the outer rim, and place them inside the pipe with the open end facing upwards.

One easy solution is putting a drain cover over all drains including your shower or bathtub. You can purchase drain screens at most hardware or home goods stores.  Some screens are specifically designed to trap hair.  Make sure you read the instructions, as some need to be secured with plumber’s putty.  If you don’t want to buy a drain cover, you can also use a kitchen strainer.  You may need to use your hand or putty to keep in place.  After each use, you should remove and clean it.

One way to get rid of clogs is to flush all of the drains in your home at the same time.  Close all of your bathtub, shower, and sink drains, fill each tub or sink with warm water, and station someone at each drain or toilet.  Then ask everyone to open their drains, and flush the toilets at the same time.

It is a good idea to flush any problematic drains weekly. Take one cup of boiling water, and slowly pour it down the drain.  Why should the water be boiling?  The heat helps loosen any dirt or debris in the pipes.  Make sure you pour the water only down the drain, so you don’t damage the finish of your tub or shower.

Read More:  Why Does My Drain Smell

To prevent clogs, rinse your drains with salt water every month. Pour one or two tablespoons of table salt into the drain.  Then pour in ¼ cup of white vinegar, and let it sit for one hour.  Afterwards, run hot water into the drain for ten minutes.  For the best results, repeat the process.  For stubborn clogs, add ¼ cup of Borax after the salt.

Another preventative measure is pouring bleach down the drain monthly. Pour a cup of bleach down the drain, and let it sit for one hour.  Run hot water into it for a few minutes.   Keep in mind that bleach may damage the finish of your fixtures and surfaces.