I found this thing at Lowes:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=161219-319-LX-00400&lpage=none Hard to see in the picture, but all it is is a plastic flexible stick with small flexible plastic barbs on the sides.
I too tried to use a wire but just couldnt get it to drain as fast as I felt it should.
Words cannot express how well this thing dug all the hair, dirt, and nastiness out of the drain. 2 minute job.
Amazon has a better picture:
http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Products-Drain-Cleaning-00400/dp/B000BO9204 -dan
