Clear a Slow Tub Drain With a Plastic Drain Tool

Slow tub drains are almost always a hair clog sitting right below the stopper. A barbed plastic drain tool — a couple of dollars at any hardware store — pulls it out in one ugly, satisfying piece.

How to do it

1. Remove the stopper or drain cover if it comes off easily.
2. Slide the strip down the drain as far as it'll go.
3. Twist it a quarter turn and pull straight up, slowly.
4. Wipe the mess into the trash — not back down the drain.
5. Run hot water for a minute to flush.

Repeat once or twice and most tubs drain like new. Finish with a mesh drain cover so you do this less often.