How to Shave Without Clogging the Sink

Shaving over the sink is convenient. And many people don’t really question this habit, as it’s how they learn to shave in the first place.

But while sinks have their advantages, shaving over them can lead to a clogged drain, messy countertops, and a lot of hassle. Shaved hair and shaving cream quickly build up inside pipes. 

Luckily, a few simple habits and the right shaving setup can protect you from clogged drains and make shaving much easier.

Why Shaving Clogs Your Sink

It’s easy to see why shaving can clog your sink over time. All that hair is the problem. 

Because, unlike soap or water, hair doesn’t dissolve. And even though you may only be shaving off light stubble, it all adds up. 

Plus, wet hair tends to clump together, leading to unappealing chunks perfect for blocking the drain pipe. Especially when they combine with toothpaste residue, soap scum, shaving cream, and whatever else has gone down your drain.

Often, you don’t notice a blockage right away. The hair in your drain will build up over time, with more hair added every time you shave. Daily grooming habits can gradually narrow the drain until the water has nowhere else to go.

Also, wet hair left in your sink can stick to the porcelain, making a mess to clean up. 

When it comes to avoiding these problems, prevention is always better than fixing the problem once it happens.

How to Shave Without Clogging the Sink

Trim or Shorten Hair Before Shaving

If you’re not a daily shaver, this bit of advice is for you. If you’re shaving your head, your beard, or several days’ worth of stubble, it’s a good idea to trim longer hair first. 

You can use clippers to reduce the length of your hair before you start your close shave, reducing the amount of hair that’s going to go down the drain. 

You can shave your longer hair over a garbage bin.

Use a Sink Cover or Hair Catcher

One of the simplest things you can do is use a sink drain cover or a hair catcher over the opening.

These inexpensive devices are easy to find. They trap hair before it gets into the plumbing system. Then, once you finish shaving, you can just dump the collected hair into the trash. 

Metal or silicon sink strainers are easy to clean and fit most bathroom sinks without affecting the flow of water.

Shave Over a Paper Towel

If you shave dry, lay a paper towel across the surface of the sink before you start. This will catch the hair before it reaches the drain, and you can just fold up the paper towel and throw it away in the garbage. 

It works well if you shave your head or trim facial hair with electric shavers and don’t use water.

Rinse Frequently and Don’t Let Hair Build Up

Often, when shaving, hair builds up around the sink. Then, when you wash it all down the drain, it clumps together and causes clogs. Rinsing small amounts at a time puts less strain on the pipe all at once. 

Keeping the water and the hair flowing through the pipe makes clogging less likely and less frequent. That’s especially true if you also use shaving cream.

Use an Electric Shaver That Traps Hair

Modern electric shavers often make much less mess than a traditional razor because they collect hair internally. For example, the BaldiePro™ Head Shaver Kit is designed to capture hair in its chamber, keeping your sink (and the rest of your bathroom) clear.

Wet and dry electric shavers are especially convenient because they allow you to shave anywhere. You can shave over a trash can, a towel, or even outdoors to reduce the amount of hair going down your sink.

The Best Setup for Mess-Free Shaving

Everyone’s grooming routine is slightly different. Still, there are a few upgrades you can make that’ll make a huge contribution to not clogging your drain.

For example, when shaving your face, a simple hair catcher in the drain can be enough to prevent problems.

For head shaving and beard trimming, options include:

• Using an electric shaver that traps hair internally.
• Lining the sink with a towel or paper towels.
• Shaving over a trashcan or outside.

Cordless waterproof shavers give you the freedom to shave anywhere, so you’re not stuck with a bathroom sink that you’re likely to clog. 

Many people find shaving in the shower makes cleanup much easier, but remember that shower drains can clog too.

Your cleanup routine matters just as much as the tools you use. Where possible, wipe up hair and throw it in the trash rather than washing it down the drain. Every bit of stubble you can prevent going down the sink makes a blockage less likely.

What to Do If Your Sink Is Already Clogged

No matter how careful you are, blockages happen. If you notice water collecting and only draining away slowly or not at all, it’s very possible you have already blocked your drain with hair.

First, remove and clean the drain stopper. Often, hair wraps around the stopper assembly just below the sink opening. If you can remove this, you can clear the blockage and replace the stopper.

If that doesn’t work, your other options are:

• Use a plastic drain snake or a hair removal tool to reach into the drain and pull hair out.
• Flush the drain with hot water (Usually only works with mild blockages).
• Apply a baking soda and vinegar mixture to break down hair.
• Use a sink plunger.

Most supermarkets and hardware stores sell chemical drain unblockers, but be wary about using them. They can temporarily dissolve built-up hair, but using them repeatedly can damage pipes over time. 

Also, if you or anyone else ends up needing to work on the pipes under the sink, these caustic chemicals make it more difficult.

If you’ve tried all this and your drain keeps blocking, you may need to take apart the drain trap under the sink and clean it manually. 

You usually won't need any special tools. Just take note of how it all went together so you can reassemble it without leaks. And if you don’t trust your handyman skills, you may need to call a plumber, and that quickly gets expensive.

That’s why it’s better to prevent blockages wherever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Stop Hair From Going Down the Drain When Shaving?

The easiest way is to use a drain cover or a hair catcher. These sit inside the sink opening and trap any hair that tries to go down the drain. Another option is to shave over a towel and then brush hair into the trash when you’re finished. An electric shaver that captures hair internally can also help to reduce the amount of hair going down the drain.

Is It Better to Shave Over the Sink or in the Shower?

Shaving over the sink is convenient for quick facial grooming. But shower shaving makes cleanup easier. Remember, though, that shower drains can clog too, so it’s a good idea to use a drain catcher either way.

Keep Your Sink Clear With Better Shaving Habits

Small changes to daily habits make a big difference when it comes to preventing sink clogs. Trimming longer hair first, using a drain catcher, and disposing of hair properly can save you from a slow-draining sink and an expensive plumbing problem.

Modern head shavers make it much easier to shave away from your sink to avoid clogging. Explore the Groomie® head shavers lineup to find a shaving routine that feels cleaner and more manageable day to day.