6 Easy Ways to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

So, the toilet’s clogged again. A plunger is usually the first option when you need to clear the pipes after an unexpected blockage, but what do you do if the plunger isn’t working or isn’t available?

There are a few easy tricks you can try. None of these ideas involve a traditional plunger, but all are effective at breaking through unexpected clogs.

1. Add Hot Water

• If the toilet is filled to the brim, you will need to remove some of the water first.
• Pour a gallon of hot water into the bowl and let it sit. Boiling water can risk breaking the porcelain, but an influx of hot water is an effective first step to disintegrate and dislodge the blockage.
• Try to flush out the blockage.

2. Try Dish Soap

• Pour a half cup of liquid dish soap into your toilet.
• Let the build-up soak. Soaking with dish soap is similar to soaking buildup on pots and pans before washing them.
• Flush out the blockage.

3. Create a Toilet Snake

• If you don’t have a flexible toilet snake that can reach into the plumbing, make your own using a wire hanger.
• Unfold the hanger and extend the end into the drain.
• Plunge and twist the metal to agitate anything stuck in its path.

4. Force Airflow

• Use an empty plastic bottle to force air into the pipes, much like an actual toilet air blaster with a barometer.
• Start with larger bottles or two-liter soda bottles, since they hold a larger air capacity and are wide enough to plug the drain hole.
• Insert the bottle upside down into the drain of the blocked toilet and squeeze firmly and quickly.
• The air will force into the pipes and disrupt the clog.

5. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar have the power to cut through grime for ordinary cleaning and also can tackle clogs that are out of sight.

• Measure one cup of baking soda and pour it into the toilet.
• Then, pour two cups of white vinegar onto the baking soda to create a chemical reaction that fizzes.
• As it fizzes and circulates in the bowl, you may see the water level drop which indicates that the blockage is clearing.

Tip: Avoid creating your own science fair volcano by ensuring that the toilet bowl is at least half full of water before adding white vinegar.

6. Try Store-Bought Cleaners

Most heavy-duty cleaners are suitable for busting through a blocked toilet clog, but be aware that the toilet may need to sit, blocked, for a few hours or overnight. Of course, if you have a septic tank, always be sure to choose septic-safe products.

Popular products you may need to keep on hand include:

• Green Gobbler Powder Plunger
• Drain Defense
• CLR
• Liquid Plumber Gel