Clogged toilet and nothing else is working? Check out these home remedies and the best ways to successfully unclog a toilet.
How to Unclog a Toilet
Updated on Sep. 16, 2024
Unclog Toilet With a Plunger
To plunge a clogged toilet, first ensure there is enough water in the bowl to cover the rubber part of the plunger, then position the plunger over the drain hole and push down firmly to create suction. Pump the plunger up and down several times, then lift it quickly to release the clog; repeat if necessary until the toilet flushes smoothly.
How it works
Unclog Toilet With Dish Soap
Pour about a half-cup into the toilet. Let the soap sit for 10-15 minutes to allow it to work its way around the clog. If you’re out of dish soap, chop a bar of hand soap into small chunks and drop the pieces into the toilet. After the soap has had time to act, flush the toilet or carefully pour hot (not boiling) water into the bowl to help dislodge the clog. Repeat as needed until the toilet is clear.
How it works
“Dish soap’s slippery nature can provide lubrication, aiding in the easier movement of debris down the pipes,” Khachani says. This could be effective for minor clogs. But in more stubborn clogs, he says, the lubrication may not be enough.
This may be the best tip on the list to help non-flushable items slip through the pipes. Items like a toy or cloth diaper might make it to a wider section of pipe.
The trick is getting the soapy water through to the clog itself. If the clog is slow-draining, wait until the water level in the toilet goes down. Then add soap and trying flushing again.
Unclog Toilet By Adding Hot Water
Fill a bucket with hot (but not boiling) water and pour it into the toilet from waist level. The force of the water could dislodge the clog.
How it works
There are two factors at play here: the temperature of the water and the height it’s poured from.
Khachani says hot water can break down certain materials and loosen some clogs. Boiling water, he says, poses a risk of cracking a porcelain toilet. The added force of the falling water mimics the oomph of a plunger, like a miniature waterfall.
The thing is, if you’ve ever seen a waterfall, you know that there’s a lot of splash at its foot. If you use this tip, be prepared to deal with some unpleasant cleanup.
Unclog Toilet With DIY Wire Hanger Drain Snake
Straighten out a wire coat hanger. Push one end of the wire into the clogged area. Prod the debris until it becomes free and flows down the drain. A drain auger is a better choice, but the wire hanger will work in a pinch.
How it works
Like an auger, essentially. “In a pinch,” Khachani says, “it can manually move debris, potentially freeing up the clog.”
Keep in mind you’ll dirty your hands using a short wire, so wear gloves. Also, I suggest bending the end of the wire hanger into a tight loop to minimize scratching. (Any scratches to the porcelain would only be aesthetic, but still should be avoided.)
Unclog Toilet With Baking Soda and Vinegar Mixture
Pour one cup baking soda and two cups vinegar into the toilet. Allow it to fizz for a half-hour to break up the clog into smaller pieces. Flush the toilet.
How it works
This is the same chemical reaction from the old “volcano” science experiment you may remember from high school. But will it work in a toilet?
“The chemical reaction can break down certain materials and may work for minor clogs,” Khachani says. “But the effectiveness may vary. And for more stubborn clogs, the method might not provide sufficient force to clear the pipes completely.”
I’ve tried the baking soda trick on sink drain clogs without much success. I’m dubious it would be effective in a toilet. But if you have a clog and no plunger on hand, it’s worth a try.
Unclog Toilet With a Plastic Bottle
Start by removing as much water from the toilet bowl as possible. Next, fill a large plastic bottle with warm water.
Place your thumb over the top of the bottle and fit the top end into the outlet at the bottom of the toilet. (Wear rubber gloves for this step.) Remove your thumb and squeeze the bottle so the water inside shoots down the pipe. The added pressure could dislodge whatever causes the clog.
How it works
This essentially creates an improvised water jet. The rush of water from the bottle might break through the clog. Like the earlier tip about pouring in water, it’s all about finding a way to replicate the powerful push of a plunger.
“The added pressure from the water-filled bottle could dislodge the cause of the clog,” says Khachani. But, he adds, the pressure might not be enough for tougher clogs. “This method has the potential to be messy, and removing water from the toilet bowl may not be practical in all situations,” he says.
Fixing Common Toilet Problems
Whether you need to unclog the toilet or are facing a different set of toilet troubles, here are some common fixes for the porcelain problems you may be encountering.
- How to Unclog a Toilet With a Plunger
- How to Unclog a Toilet With a Drain Snake
- How to Stop a Running Toilet
- How to Fix a Running Toilet
- How to Fix a Leaking Toilet
- How to Fix a Leaking Toilet Flapper
About the Experts
John Koeller co-founded MaP (Maximum Performance), which tests toilets in independent labs in North America and China. The company evaluated almost 6,000 toilet models from 192 brands. All test results are free and available to the public.
Mehdi Khachani is the CEO and founder of JMK Plumbing in Miami, Florida. He’s licensed as certified plumbing, air conditioning and general contractor in Florida.
