How to unclog a blocked toilet

It’s always a nuisance when our toilets don’t flush properly. When this happens, you’ll need to know how to unclog a clogged toilet with or without a plunger to avoid a messy (and smelly) disaster!

Over time, the toilet can become clogged with trash, excess tissue paper, and other non-disposable items that get stuck in the curved toilet siphon. This blockage will prevent anything else from sliding down the pipes into the sewer, which can also lead to unpleasant odors. Knowing how to unclog a clogged toilet can seem like an unpleasant chore, however, if you don’t act quickly, you’ll run into an overflowing toilet, or worse, costly plumbing issues.

Just like knowing how to unclog a drain, you can easily unclog a clogged toilet with a few household items. Plus, it can save you time (and embarrassment), especially when guests are visiting you.

Follow our quick and easy steps on how to unclog a clogged toilet with or without a plunger.

How to unclog a clogged toilet with dish soap and water

1. First of all, pour ¼ cup of dish soap into the toilet bowl and let soak for about 25 minutes. Dish soap is specially formulated to break down hard particles and will make it more slippery. Do not use bar soaps or shampoos as they contain fat, which will only make the blockage worse.

2. Follow this with a gallon of hot water from your bathroom faucet and slowly pour down the toilet. When combined with the dish soap, it should help break up or dissolve the blockage. However, only do this if there is no risk of your toilet overflowing. Never pour boiling water from the kettle into the toilet, as it may crack the porcelain or ceramic structure and cause damage.

3. Ultimately, flush your toilet to find out if the blockage has been dislodged and is now gone in the pipe.

How to unclog a clogged toilet with baking soda and white vinegar

1. First of all, pour a cup of baking soda directly into the toilet bowl. When watering, be sure to cover the entire area. The baking powder should sink to the bottom of the toilet bowl.

2. Next, slowly pour two cups of white vinegar in your toilet bowl. Combined with the baking soda, it will start to bubble due to the chemical reaction between the two substances.

3. Let the solution sit for about an hour to allow time for the mixture to act by breaking the plugs and helping them slide easily into the pipe.

4. Ultimately, flush the toilet to see if he succeeded in unblocking it.

Baking soda and vinegar are also natural deodorants and good for many other cleaning tasks. Read here if you want to know what makes baking soda and vinegar so good for cleaning.

How to unclog a clogged toilet with a plunger

1. First of all, lower the plunger into the toilet, making sure it is tilted so the cup fills with water. Press gently to remove air in the flange and create a seal. It is better to buy the right one flanged plunger designed to specifically treat toilet blockages.

2. Using both hands, carefully dive up and down with a push-pull motion. Repeat this movement about five to six times before removing the cup from the hole. This creates a combination of compression and suction in the drain to quickly dislodge blockages.

3. Ultimately, flush the toilet to see if it worked. If not, open the cistern at the top of your toilet, reach out your hand, and push the flapper down over the hole. This will prevent water from overflowing from the toilet bowl. Then repeat if necessary.

How to unclog a clogged toilet with a toilet snake / worm

A toilet worm or snake is a long coil of wire with a corkscrew-shaped tip to feed the pipes until it locates the shoe. Here’s how to use one to unclog a clogged toilet.

1. Prepare the area by drop off old towels or sheets to prevent messy spills.

2. Place the end of the toilet auger into the bowl, pointing toward the drain. Use the crank to extend the auger cable to go further down the drain.

3. Once the cable feels some resistance, it means you have located the cause of the stuck and can stop cranking.

4. Ultimately, push the auger back and forth a few times to break the plug so your toilet can flush the toilet properly. Be careful doing this to avoid scratching or damaging your ceramic or porcelain toilet bowl.

Keep in mind that these methods can only be short term solutions. If none of these unblocking methods work, or if you continue to have a clogged or overflowing toilet, always call a plumber as this can indicate a serious problem that can only be resolved by a professional.

What you should never flush down the toilet

While we tend to think that our toilets can empty almost any garbage, it isn’t – and clogs are often caused by something inappropriate having been flushed out. Here are some items you should never flush down the toilet (don’t even think about it!).

Paper towels and tissues – These are designed to absorb water and cannot dissolve when rinsed off.

“Rinsable” wipes – They can claim to be “rinsable”, but they do not break down quickly when submerged in water.

excess toilet paper – A common culprit, but too much toilet paper used at one time will often lead to blockages. Try to rinse as you go, or use only what you need to limit blockages.

Feminine products – Sanitary napkins and tampons tend to expand in water, which can damage the toilet drain. Always put used feminine products in a bag and throw them in the trash.

Hair and dental floss – These may seem harmless, but hair and dental floss can stick inside your pipes, causing a buildup. Always throw hair and dental floss in the trash.

Cooking oils, fats and fats – Although these are initially in liquid form, they can harden and attach to pipes. If they accumulate, it will cause a blockage and prevent anything else from falling into the sewers. Wait for the oils to cool and solidify before throwing them in the trash.