So, your beautiful bathroom is styled and gorgeous – looking like a million bucks, complete with perfectly styled books. But you have a problem… your toilet won’t flush – it’s blocked! The worst, I know. But don’t worry. Now, you could call a professional plumber to sort out the problem, but what if the clog doesn’t require all that hassle of added time and expense? Wouldn’t you rather remedy the issue yourself on the cheap? After all, not all toilet clogs require a plumber – and trust me, owning a home built in 1920 with old pipes and ancient plumbing, I have had countless clogs and know quite a few quick and easy tricks of the trade to get a clog unstuck – quickly! Believe it or not, most clogs are easy to fix.
First things first, most clogs can be solved with the classic plunger, so start there. Be sure to suction the opening of the toiler pipe fully and be aggressive with the plunge going down and back up several times in succession. If that doesn’t work, some alternative remedies I like include a Bio-Ben drain cleaner, dish soap, warm water mix, and a baking soda vinegar reaction. More on that below. For more challenging clogs, I have used a homemade wire hanger drain snake (also blelow) that works almost every time. If any of these solutions sound worth trying, give them a go before spending money on the pros.
You Have Many Methods to Choose From
The unclogging process is quite simple, whether dealing with a clog in the bathroom sink or the bottom of the toilet. Many things can get stuck there, from excess toilet paper and hand wipes to tiny toys or hygiene products.
You’ll have a much easier time figuring out the best way to resolve your clogging issues if you know what’s stuck in there. While some clogs may require more intensive methods, light clogs can usually be dealt with using these simple measures that only take a few minutes.
The Trusty Ol’ Plunger
You’ll definitely want to have a tried and true plunger in your bathroom storage if you don’t already. I figured I’d arrange this list of ways to solve stubborn clogs from most to least effective. As such, the toilet plunger is easily the best way to get rid of most toilet clogs.
There are a couple of things you’ll want to check to ensure this easy way to unclog your toilet will be as effective as possible. First, ensure that there’s some toilet water in your toilet bowl. Ideally, you want a water level high enough to cover the entire bottom of the plunger. This will make it easy to get a good seal.
From there, simply place the plunger over the toilet drain hole. Push down, gently at first to avoid splashing water. Once you have a good seal, push and pull the plunger up and down a few times, then break the seal. Repeat this process until your toilet flushes easily.
Bio-Ben
Another simple way to unclog your toilet is by using drain cleaners. These generally utilize a chemical reaction to clear the clogs, but not every option is created equally. Many actually use harsh chemicals that can even damage your plumbing, which is why I’m giving you a specific product recommendation here.
BioBen is a house special from Benjamin Franklin. It uses enzymes and bacterial cultures to break feces and other clogs down, avoiding those potential issues from harsh chemicals. Even better, it’s easy to use, providing simple instructions and a straightforward application process.
If you can get your hands on it, using Bio-Ben is definitely one of the home remedies to unclog a toilet that I would recommend trying out. Aside from removing your current clogs, Bio-Ben can even help prevent future clogs for up to a month, giving you some long-lasting benefits to consider.
Want to enjoy a bit more of the green lifestyle? Then check out my post on my favorite houseplants for inspiration. I insist on plants in my bathroom designs. They make them sing!
Making a Dish Soap Mixture
Another simple method you can try out involves using simple dish soap. This isn’t strong enough to work as a last resort, but if you don’t mind dealing with a bit of dirty water then it’s a good option to try if you don’t have a plunger on hand.
There are two basic methods you can use: simply pouring the soap into the toilet bowl and using warm water. For the pouring method, pour ½ a cup of dish soap into the toilet. Let it soak for 15 minutes, then attempt to flush the toilet. This method tends to work best when you don’t have much water in the bowl, as the soap serves as a lubricant.
If that doesn’t work then you might want to try the hot water method. Heat up a gallon of water, stopping before it’s boiling. Squirt some dish soap into your toilet while the water is heating up. Once the water is heated, pour it into the toilet bowl and wait five minutes before attempting to flush your toilet.
The Science Experiment: Baking Soda and Vinegar
This next method hasn’t given me much luck with past attempts, but I figured I’d include it here anyway. Effectiveness will certainly vary. Still, as far as home remedies to unclog a toilet go (that don’t require a trip to the store), this is definitely one of the more convenient options.
To start, pour a cup of baking soda into your toilet. Next, add two cups of vinegar and let the mixture sit for thirty minutes. If you really feel like it’s clogged, you can always add an extra cup of white vinegar and a bit more baking soda. After the time has passed, pour some hot water into the bowl before attempting to flush it.
In my experience, you’ll have the best luck using this method for lighter clogs from toilet paper and other paper products.
Looking for simple yet stylish bathroom upgrades? Check out this flush mount install I did!
Your Homemade Wire Hanger Drain Snake
All right, the last method on the list involved getting a wire coat hanger and some rubber gloves to make your own handmade plumbing snake.
A dedicated toilet snake is designed to avoid scratching your toilet. A wire hanger, however, is not. As such, I recommend first straightening out the hanger, then curving the end back around in a loop. This will help avoid unnecessary scratches. You want to unfold a wire coat hanger and bend the end into a 1/2 – 3/4 inch hook. First, straighten the hanger and bend one end into a small hook—wire cutters help here.
Then, after removing the drain cover, I carefully slide the hanger into the drain, angling it as needed to maneuver through any bends. I push it down as far as possible, then twist and jiggle to dislodge the clog, lifting out any debris. I repeat this until water flows freely, then dispose of the gunk and flush the drain with hot water for a final rinse. Be gentle and patient so as not to damage your pipes. Keep poking the snake in the pipe, and start pushing! You can tell when the obstructing foreign objects have been gone through as the water should begin to flow.
When to Turn to A Professional
Not having much luck with these home remedies to unclog a toilet? Unfortunately, there does come a point where you might need to bring in some professional help. Although it may end up costing you a pretty penny, there are quite a few benefits that these pros can bring to the table.
Not only will they always have the right tools for the job, but they’ll also have access to chemical drain cleaners and other chemical cleaners that you simply can’t find at your local hardware store. Commercial drain cleaner is much stronger than residential mixes, meaning they’ll be able to handle pretty much anything you throw at them.
As an added bonus, you won’t have to worry as much about getting water all over your shiny tile floor!
Generally, I would recommend calling the pros in the following situations:
- The clog seems to be deep in your plumbing system
- You suspect a backup in your septic tank
- You’re dealing with frequent clogs
- You can smell sewage constantly
- There is flooding
Home Remedies to Unclog a Toilet: A Simple Summary
There you have it: a bunch of different home remedies to unclog a toilet. Having a clogged toilet can be a real pain. Fortunately, you can usually solve the issue with a simple toilet plunger. Of course, if you don’t have one on hand, now you know a bunch of different alternatives you can try before hitting up the pros, including a homemade snake and a few chemical mixtures.
Well, that’s everything I have for y’all today. I hope you’ve found it helpful (and if so, please let me know in the comments below!). I’ll see you guys again next week. Love ya xoxo
In the mood for more bathroom-related posts? Check out this post on appealing yet affordable designs you can implement into your own home!
FAQs Related to Home Remedies to Unclog a Toilet
What can I pour down the toilet to unclog it?
A baking soda and vinegar mixture is one option. Using a dedicated drain cleaner is another. However, whether or not you’ll be successful while attempting to clear drains really depends on the cause of the clog itself.
How much vinegar do you use to unclog a toilet?
I recommend using two cups of vinegar to one cup of baking soda when drying to make this homemade drain cleaner. Pro tip: cover up any unwanted smells with some of my favorite scented candles and a few o thers.
How do you unclog a toilet when the plunger is not working?
If your plunger isn’t working then there are a few other methods you can try. You can try using the baking soda and vinegar method, poking the clogged drain with a wire hanger, using a drain snake, pouring hot water into the bowl, or using a dedicated drain cleaner.
Can boiling water help unblock a toilet?
While using hot or warm water can definitely help with a minor blockage (like those caused from flushing tissues), I would strongly recommend against using boiling water. A gallon of hot water should be more than sufficient. Boiling water, on the other hand, can crack your toilet and has the potential for burns.
Can coke unclog a toilet?
Coke can definitely act as its own drain cleaner, and it might just be the easiest way to clear out a small clog using the first thing you can find on hand. However, I can’t really recommend it, as it will leave a sticky residue behind and could even cause more clogs down the road.
How do I unclog a toilet?
You can use any of the home remedies listed above to get rid of human waste and minor clogs. I recommend starting with a plunger if you have one, though, as this generally gives you the best chance of success!
