Can I use a toilet brush to unclog a toilet?

Author: Melyssa Marks  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 7, 2026

If you don't have a plunger in your house, you can use a toilet brush. Although you can use the brush similarly to a plumbing snake, this technique only works when the blockage is near the opening, but it can still be effective. Push your brush in the toilet hole to see if you can reach the blockage and dislodge it.

Can you use a toilet brush to unblock a toilet?

Unless your clog is severe, a standard toilet brush (has a looped 'business end') shoved into and pulled back from the drain vigorously will do the trick. Of course, if you have one of these, why do you not have a plunger?

What is the best tool to unblock a toilet?

Plungers are the go-to tool when it comes to plumbing and blocked toilets. These easy-to-use and effective tools can be used to unblock all kinds of toilet waste pipes.

What can I use if I don't have a plunger?

8 Ways to Unclog a Toilet (When You Don't Have a Plunger)
  • Murphy's Law states that if something can go wrong, it will. ...
  • Hot Water Clog Removal. ...
  • Soap Clog Cleaner. ...
  • The Bath Bomb Method. ...
  • Baking Soda and Vinegar Method. ...
  • Bleach Clog Removal. ...
  • Chemical Drain Cleaner. ...
  • Snake or Hanger Method.

What is the quickest way to unblock a toilet?

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!

How To Unclog A Toilet Using A Toilet Bowl Brush! Yes, THIS WILL WORK! I GUARANTEE!!!

What is the strongest thing to unclog a toilet?

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.

Will toilets eventually unclog?

Yes, a toilet can unclog itself over time, but it depends on what is causing the blockage. If the clog is made up of water-soluble materials, like toilet paper or fecal matter, then eventually they will begin dissolving if you give them enough time.

How to unclog a toilet when the water is high?

Align the rubber cup of a toilet plunger over the centre of the hole of the toilet bowl. Apply downward pressure slowly at first, gradually increasing the speed and intensity. If a clog has caused the overflow, a plunger will dislodge the mass and allow water to escape through the plumbing.

What is the best makeshift plunger?

Coat Hanger

If you send a straightened wire hanger down there, you may be able to find the clog. These won't go as far down as a plumber's snake but could be exactly the quick fix you're after for those stubborn clogs. Just be careful not to damage the pipes or to scratch your sink with the wire.

How to unblock a badly blocked toilet without a plunger reddit?

The dish soap and hot water method is so effective that it's my goto. No more plunger 🪠 for me. You're gonna want a plunger 🪠 one day when you don't want to stick your hand and a cup in that toilet. A few ounces of Dawn dish soap- pour in- walk away - return in 15 minutes and flush.

What will dissolve a blocked toilet?

Baking Soda And Vinegar

Instead of creating a volcano, this vinegar and baking soda mixture will work together to loosen up the clog in almost no time. We suggest wearing rubber gloves for this. As this method creates a pretty chemical reaction, it is recommended that you use it in a toilet bowl that is not too full.

How to unblock a toilet when you can't see the blockage?

Unblocking your toilet using washing up liquid

Start by squeezing in about half a bottle of the washing up liquid, which will then sink to the bottom of the toilet bowl. Next, pour in the bucket of water to flush the washing up liquid down the u-bend. With a bit of luck, this will clear the blockage.

How to unclog a toilet that is full of poop?

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.

How do you unclog a toilet when the plunger doesn't work?

If plunging the toilet doesn't work, here are seven ways to fix a clogged toilet.
  1. Drain snake. If the plunger isn't working, your next best option is to use a drain snake. ...
  2. Boiling Water. ...
  3. Chemical Drain Cleaners. ...
  4. Baking Soda Mixture. ...
  5. Vinegar Mixture. ...
  6. Squirt Gun Drainer. ...
  7. Call a Plumber.

What will break up toilet paper in a clogged toilet?

Add 1/2 cup baking soda directly into the toilet bowl water surrounding the blocked toilet. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar down the inside of the bowl to avoid splashes. Stand back as a fizzy foam reaction occurs, potentially breaking apart paper. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush it repeatedly.

How to unblock a toilet full of tissue?

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.

Will dish soap unclog a toilet?

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?

Will letting a clogged toilet sit help?

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.

Will clogged toilet water eventually go down?

Substances like toilet paper and fecal matter will eventually dissolve within the toilet drain and clear the clog organically. However, blockages made from insoluble materials won't resolve on their own and typically require you to fix the clog manually or contact a professional before they worsen.

What is the best liquid to unclog a toilet?

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.

Is it okay to leave a clogged toilet overnight?

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.

Should I keep flushing a clogged toilet?

DO NOT: Take the flush-and-a-prayer method of flushing again – and again - until the blockage breaks up. Chances are this could lead to overflow. DO: If water is already rising, lift the tank lid and carefully use the rubber floater to block water from filling the hole at the bottom.

What will unclog a toilet fast?

Just add a bit of dish soap around the hole in the toilet. Add some hot water and let sit for about 20 minutes. Then flush. The soap and hot water should lubricate the clog enough to clear it.

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