March 2026 SOLC–Day 7
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I tilt my head back and let the warm water flow over my hair, rinsing away the shampoo. My feet splash as I step forward, reaching for the conditioner.
Wait? Splash?
I look down at my feet and see water puddling around the shower drain. I lift one foot. Then the other. Splash. Splash.
Uh oh…When was the last time I cleaned the drain?
I squat to get a closer look. The water is definitely backing up. If I can’t remember when I last cleaned it, no doubt it’s overdue.
I reach down to the drain grate. Is it lefty loosie or righty tighty?
I grip and nudge the grate to the left, not wanting to push too hard in case I’m going the wrong way. Nothing happens. I push again a little harder and feel a little give. Another twisting push and the grate cover is free. Success! I lift it from the drain, and a large glob of hairy, goopy nastiness dangles from it. If the drain were a cat, this would be a monstrous hairball! Making a face, I pull the slippery mass free, place it in the far corner of the shower. Then I reach down into the drain to see what else I can scavenge. One after another, I pull up several large clumps of gunky yuck and add them to the debris pile. It’s simultaneously both thoroughly disgusting and immensely satisfying.
After the drain is as clear as I can get it, I replace the grate. I finish my shower, washing my hands repeatedly, and relish the water’s swift descent through the drain. No more splashing!
When my shower is done, I get some tissues, pick up the pile of yuck and throw it away.
If only all my problems were solved this easily!
Nix the comfort zone 
Disgusting! I’ll call you when our drain clogs since you are experienced. And probably now professional since I can’t imagine you’ll be cleaning others drains for free. Name your price!
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Like I said…totally disgusting and totally satisfying! I am not putting out my shingle as a drain cleaner though! Sorry! Not sorry!
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Those are funny last three words!
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That is so disgusting. I had a similar experience and I picked up a wad of hair with my toes. I find it so amusing the things you find to write about.
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I love that you picked it up with your toes! Ha! And regarding topics, well…desperate times call for desperate measures? lol
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Oh man, I could never do that! For some reason the hair ball yucky gunks make me seriously gag. I’m thoroughly impressed by the ease with which you just dug in there!
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Sorry for grossing you out! lol This post should probably have come with a warning label!
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Oh, can I relate! This happens in both my tub and my bathroom sink…on the regular. The ominous feeling when the water begins to puddle, as you describe, or when it takes several minutes for the water to drain….the signs are there! I love the description of the said “blockage”: a monstrous hairball! My partner (who is follicly challenged) always shakes his head at me, the one with the long hair — and then it’s my job to get the plunger. The extraction process, while not welcome and not easy, is extremely satisfying…as is your slice for today! Thank you!
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Love your sentence, “It’s simultaneously both thoroughly disgusting and immensely satisfying.” It says it all. There are so many things like that in life.
We live in a 100-year-old house and getting into the tub/shower drain is nearly impossible. So long ago, we made a rule: No hair washing in the tub/shower. Never. We have a utility sink in the basement that works well and is easy to clean. Yep! I wash my hair in the basement and then take my shower. Washing my hair in the shower is a luxury I enjoy when we stay at a hotel.
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Absolutely relatable from another long haired person whose hair is always stopping up the rain. Loved the imagery and descriptions…to a tee!
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Haha, I loveeeee the humor in this slice, Molly! I started purchasing “hair catchers” to place over the drain to avoid having to ask my husband to clean it each week 🤣
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Yuck! But so glad it was easily solved and didn’t require a plumber! Success on a Saturday!
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This is slice of real life for sure! They’re not all pretty…
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