Don't let your day go down the toilet by learning how to unclog one the right way
There are few household situations that carry more urgency than a clogged toilet. Learning how to unclog a toilet is a life skill that you’ll undoubtedly use over and over again. It might seem as simple as grabbing the nearest plunger, but there are some details and finesse if you want to get it right the first time (and we suspect you do). Before calling a pro, here are eight methods to get things flowing again.
Occasional clogs happen for a variety of reasons; a toilet’s plumbing is complex. The most common reasons your toilet won’t stop clogging include:
Whether you’ve got a kid at home who likes to flush giant wads of paper down the toilet or someone who just uses too much, excess toilet paper can quickly clog a toilet. Sometimes switching to a thicker, higher-quality toilet paper can help, as you might use less overall, or you could switch to a bidet, which is a paper-free, eco-friendly clean-up option.
Toilet paper is the only thing that should go down your toilet. Don’t flush paper towels, menstrual products, ear swabs, or flushable wipes (despite the name, they are not in fact flushable)—all of these are items that don’t break down easily and can quickly block the pipes. Instead of using the toilet, throw these items away in a garbage bin.
The toilet trap is a curved channel that holds standing water and prevents sewer gases from coming up into your home. Because of the design of the trap, many things can get caught in it and create a clog. Sometimes, the trap is only partially blocked, which causes the toilet to flush very slowly. Usually, partial clogs lead to total clogs, which ultimately can overflow the toilet bowl and send dirty toilet water all over your bathroom—not an ideal situation. To fix a clogged toilet trap, first try a plunger. If that doesn’t work, use an auger. Failing this, hire a local plumber to clear the pipes.
Other reasons your toilet is clogged might include:
A clogged toilet vent
Hard water
Broken or damaged plumbing
Damaged main sewer lines
Older, low-flow toilet model
Most often, toilets clog because something is in the way of the pipe that removes waste, keeping the water from escaping the bowl. If you notice that your toilet clogs over and over, it's smart to give a local toilet repair company a call to check for other common plumbing issues—especially if you live in a home with older plumbing.
Toilets can clog at the best and worst of times. Here’s how to fix a clogged toilet with common tools and supplies.
Learning how to plunge a toilet may seem rudimentary, but there is a trick to it. First of all, make sure you purchase the correct plunger for a toilet. Toilet plungers are also known as flange plungers and have a large cup to seal the hole of your toilet and create pressure. The basic cup plungers, which are much smaller, are best for sink and small drain clogs.
For optimal plunger action, be sure to grab some rubber gloves and:
Lay a towel around the edge of your toilet to keep dirty water from getting on the floor.
Make sure there’s enough water in the bowl, but not too much—if the water comes up to the rim, carefully remove some with a cup and bucket. If the bowl is empty, gently press on the flushing handle to release a little water without pushing it all the way down and triggering a flush.
Place the cup of the plunger against the hole, creating as tight a seal as possible. You can tilt the handle in your direction if necessary, but don't pull it so far that it opens the seal.
Push up and down with force for 10 to 15 seconds, then check if the water has lowered in the bowl before flushing. If not, plunge for 10 more seconds and check again.
If the clog has not cleared, use the non-plunger methods below.
If you don't have a plunger on hand, sometimes changing the heat of the water is all you need to release a clog.
Heat up water on the stove to just below boiling, then let the water cool for a moment or two—boiling water can cause the bowl's porcelain to crack.
Carefully pour the water into the toilet bowl, and let it sit for several minutes.
If the water drains while you wait, you have partially or fully removed the clog.
Test the toilet by flushing, but be ready to close the flapper if necessary.
Dish soap is gentle on materials like porcelain and can break down fats and grease. Therefore, dish soap can do just as strong a job on dishes as on drain clogs. Here's what do to:
Measure 1/2 cup of gentle dish soap, then pour the soap into the toilet bowl, ensuring there is enough water to carry it down the drain. If not, add several cups of warm water to the bowl.
Let the soap sit for 10 minutes. You can pair this method with the warm-water trick for extra effectiveness.
Assess if the water in the bowl has lowered, and if so, test with a flush.
Unclogging a toilet without a plunger is possible, especially when using the same approach with different tools. In this method, you'll need an empty 2-liter soda bottle. Wear gloves while following these steps:
Fill the 2-liter bottle with warm water, then flip the open bottle over and quickly insert it into the toilet drain.
Squeeze the water out of the bottle with force, sending water into the pipe. This may send water back into the bowl, so be careful not to let it overflow.
If the pressure sends the water down the drain, you're ready to flush.
Similar to our trusty soap method, good old white vinegar and baking soda can break down clogs in a similar manner. Here's what to do:
Lay down towels around the toilet in case of an overflow.
Pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain, and follow it with 1 cup of baking soda—be prepared for the mixture to foam quite a bit.
Let the mixture sit for one minute.
Pour warm water into the bowl to check if the clog is now clear.
Using a toilet auger is a helpful skill when difficult clogs don't respond to simple mechanical methods. Also called a toilet snake, an auger costs between $10 and $100, depending on its complexity and size. While you should always follow the directions on your specific model, here's how to use an auger:
While wearing gloves, insert the auger into the pipe so that the rubber joint sits at the entrance of the pipe.
Push the extendable arm into the pipe by turning the handle slowly and steadily. Don’t force the auger into the toilet or use unnecessary pressure.
Wiggle and turn the cable around in the tube to break up the blockage.
Slowly remove the auger as well as any large debris that has been dislodged during the process.
Flush the toilet slowly to check if the water clears.
Using a metal clothing hanger to unclog a toilet is a famous DIY in a pinch, but you have to be careful not to scratch or crack the inside of your toilet.
Unravel a metal hanger into a long, curved wire.
To prevent damage, tightly wrap a plastic shopping bag around the end of the unrolled hanger and bend the tip so there is no sharp end.
Gently push the hanger and bag into the toilet to remove debris close to the entrance of the pipe.
If the clog is further down the pipe, you'll need an auger or plunger. Don't risk pressing this tool too far into the toilet and causing further damage.
While this should be a last resort, chemical-based uncloggers specifically made for toilets can also do the job. However, many chemicals can damage your pipes when used incorrectly, so don’t use them often. Follow the instructions on the bottle, and wait the proper amount of time—sometimes even overnight—to flush.
Start by pouring hot—but not boiling—water down the drain. The heat of the water may be enough to break down the clog. You can also try ½ cup of dish soap or 1 cup each of white vinegar and baking soda. If you choose a chemical unclogging product, ensure it’s appropriate for toilets to avoid damage.
Break up the clog with homemade solutions containing soap, vinegar, and baking soda, or simply let hot water spend some time in the drain. You can also use a two-liter soda bottle filled with water to push pressurized water into the pipe to dislodge the debris (see the steps above).
Small clogs will eventually break down, but this can take time. If you don’t have another bathroom, it's best to fix a clogged toilet with what you have available. Solid objects flushed down the drain, however, require manual removal.
A bit of water in the bowl can help unclog a toilet, especially if you're using a plunger. However, if the bowl is full to the brim, you'll need to strap on gloves and remove some of the wastewater in a cup or container so it doesn't overflow when you try to unblock the pipe. If you're concerned about it filling further, manually close the flapper in the toilet tank or turn off the water supply to the toilet.
