Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (5% acetic acid) react to make sodiom acetate and carbon dioxide and water with the carbon dioxide vigorously bubbling out. So yes, the water and the bubbling CO2 would likely break the toilet paper down.
One very low tech method to unclog a toilet is to use a white wine vinegar and baking soda solution, as the chemical reaction can help dissolve the waste. We will explore this and other techniques in a bit more detail shortly…
Vinegar and Baking Soda
First, pour a cup of baking soda directly into the toilet bowl. Carefully add two cups of vinegar to initiate a chemical reaction with the baking soda. Wait for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the reaction to break down the clog, and then give the toilet a flush.
Dissolve the paper in water.
Other household items you may add to the liquid solution include vinegar, boiling hot lemon juice, and even bleach, which does require caution. After soaking, the paper should become a wad of crumbled material as it dries.
Using Plunger With Chemicals
You can also use bleach for this purpose and some other chemicals designed specifically for dissolving toilet paper clogs in drains and pipes.
Pour in baking soda.
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.
Septic system owners have long relied on RID-X® along with occasional pumping to help keep their septic systems free-flowing. Breaks down paper. RID-X® contains cellulase enzymes, the only enzyme that can digest paper.
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.
Most other types of vinegar can stain paper, so be sure the vinegar you use is completely clear. White vinegar can remove other pigmented stains like ink, grass, or mustard. It's also a natural mold and mildew cleaner. Complete this step away from the paper to avoid spills and further damage.
It depends on how severe the clog is and the condition of your toilet and drain. Damage or debris buildup in your toilet or drain can prevent the clog from properly dissolving. If a standard plunger and proper plunging technique don't clear the clog, try dissolving it next.
It's essential to clean the inside of a toilet tank to remove mineral deposits that can damage or interfere with the toilet's operation. Baking soda will absorb odors, break down stains, and dislodge fungal growth with its abrasive power.
Hercules Clobber®: For the most extreme emergency, waste-line stoppages, Hercules Clobber® is the fastest and most effective method of cleaning the drain. It rapidly disintegrates paper, rags, food and all organic matter.
You can use straight or a diluted vinegar cleaning solution for the bathroom to clean bacteria, especially around the toilet. Cleaning with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in the bathroom can work really well. To clean your toilet with vinegar, pour a cup of vinegar in the toilet bowl and let sit overnight.
Plain water will, in most cases, dissolve toilet paper in a toilet or sewer drain. Keep the paper wet and do not add any more paper into the toilet. If the toilet paper is going to dissolve, it should occur within twelve hours.
Vinegar is safe and milder than caustic cleaners designed for the toilet, and those commercial cleaning agents can eat away the good bacteria in your septic system. To safely and inexpensively clean your toilet bowls, pour a generous glug of vinegar, followed by a heavy sprinkling of baking soda, into the bowl.
Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.
Epsom salt helps break down toilet paper stuck in the sewer line. Pour one to two cups of Epsom salt into the toilet bowl. Add warm (not boiling) water. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes or even 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.
Charmin Freshmates wipes are flushable and safe for sewers and septic systems. For best results, flush only one or two wipes at a time. If toilet paper does not break down as soon as it hits the water, will it cause clogs in my toilet or drain lines? No.
"If you put an aspirin in the tank it will dissolve the toilet paper. In fact, you can test this yourself. One aspirin in the tank will dissolve tissue, Kleenex, even napkins (dinner) and disposable paper towels." One more "Headache" cured by the miracle drug! Jordan Michael Zuniga and William Welland Sr.
The only form of Drano® product recommended for use in a slow toilet is Drano® Max Build-Up Remover. When used according to label directions, the microorganisms in this product will break down toilet paper and organic matter in pipes, which can slow water flow. (This product will NOT open a completely clogged toilet.)
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.