Epsom salt isn't something that everyone has on hand, but if you do have it lying around, it can work in a pinch. When poured into a bowl, it creates a fizzy chemical reaction that can help unclog and clear drains. Give it about 15 minutes to do its thing before you attempt to flush again.
You can also use Epsom salt to clear toilet clogs. The salt normally creates an incredibly fizzy reaction when added to water. Therefore, it can help break down the waste to clear the blockage. Pour enough Epsom salt into your toilet bowl, and allow it to sit for around 20 minutes before flushing with hot water.
Vinegar and Baking Soda: While not a chemical per se, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda can be an effective natural solution for unclogging toilets. Pour one cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by one cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes before flushing with hot water (2).
One of the strongest substances for unclogging a toilet is a commercial drain cleaner specifically designed for toilet clogs. These cleaners typically contain powerful chemicals that dissolve organic matter and stubborn blockages.
The most common method for unclogging a toilet is to use a plunger—but other tools like toilet snakes and wet/dry vacuums can also be helpful. In a pinch, you can even use a coat hanger!
Make your own drain cleaner by pouring one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar into the toilet and adding a half gallon of hot water. Dish soap can also help loosen some obstructions. When using either method, allow the solution to sit overnight and then flush the toilet to see if the obstruction has cleared.
Letting a clogged toilet sit too long can result in more severe problems. Beyond the risk of overflow and water damage, the clog could also cause toilet water to back up into other parts of your plumbing system, affecting sinks, showers, and even your home's main sewer line.
You need water, not air, pressure to loosen the clog. If your toilet lacks water, pour in enough water till the plunger is covered. Use a gentle plunge initially since a hard one will force air back around the seal, blowing water all over you and your bathroom floor.
A very good method of unclogging a toilet without the need for a plunger is to use dishwashing liquid, especially if the obstruction is only partially blocked or results from grease or organic waste.
Clogs consisting of degradable materials like waste and toilet paper could clear on their own over time. These substances break down within water and don't always require you to take action to eliminate blockages. However, non-degradable clogs won't resolve on their own and can lead to other serious issues.
If the blockage is a build-up of tissue paper, pour 3-4 cups of hot (not boiling) water from waist height into the toilet bowl. Give the hot water around 20 minutes to breakdown the blockage.
While it doesn't instantly damage your drains, it is not recommended to be used too often, especially if they are stainless steel. Also, Epsom salt and hot water can damage the toilet wax or break the porcelain.
Epsom Salt
Add hot water from the tap to help dissolve the salt. Allow things to sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight, if possible. The salt breaks down the toilet paper in the drain, making it easier to flush away.
One common question people ask is, “Can plunging make a clog worse?” The short answer is yes, but only if you're not using toilet plungers correctly. Using too much force or plunging too vigorously can push the clog further down the drain, making it harder to remove.
Pouring dish soap down a toilet will unclog many obstructions. Pour 1/2- to 1-cup of dish soap directly in the toilet water and wait about 30 minutes before flushing. Follow the dish soap with a gallon of hot water if dish soap alone does not work. What is the strongest thing to unclog a toilet?
Additionally, letting a clogged toilet sit for a long time makes it more likely that more buildup, debris, and waste will accumulate around the blockage. That also leads to more serious clogs stubborn enough to require professional plumbing services.
Fill a bucket with hot, but not quite boiling water and pour it directly into the drain. The combination of heat and pressure can sometimes be enough to clear minor blockages such as soap scum build-up.
Bleach can often clear a toilet clog by breaking down the clog-causing materials. These include toilet paper, waste, and other debris. Pouring bleach into the toilet bowl and letting it sit can dissolve the blockage, improving water flow. But, bleach might not work for very tough clogs.
Drano for toilets is a popular choice for many homeowners when dealing with stubborn clogs. This powerful product has been a trusted solution for many years, effectively breaking down and dislodging blockages that can cause significant inconvenience and potential damage in the bathroom.
A lye-based drain cleaner, that's usually the most common kind. Many times straight chlorine bleach will work, but do not mix with anything else—-AT ALL!
Want to learn how to unclog a toilet without a plunger or snake? Try soap! Just drop a few tablespoons of dish soap into your toilet bowl, followed by hot water. Let everything sit for 15 minutes, then flush.