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.
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.
The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.
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.
Safe to Flush
Many toilet paper brands dissolve in minutes, and even the thickest varieties dissolve within 24 hours of being flushed.
Epsom Salt. Epsom salt isn't just for bath time—it's also a surprisingly effective method for breaking down toilet paper clogs. To use this method, begin by pouring one to two cups of Epsom salt into the toilet bowl. Add hot water from the tap to help dissolve the salt.
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.)
Start by using a plunger gently to try to push the tissue through. Avoid flushing repeatedly as this can cause the toilet to overflow.
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.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.
Limitations: Type of Blockage: Mr Muscle Drain Gel may not be as effective on tougher blockages like those caused by non-dissolvable items (e.g., sanitary products or excessive toilet paper). For these types of clogs, a plumber might be needed.
RID-X® contains cellulase enzymes, the only enzyme that can digest paper.
One of the most compelling reasons why Drano Max Gel Clog Remover is considered the best toilet unclogger liquid and Drano's commitment to safety. Despite its potent formulation, Drano is safe for all types of drain & sewer pipes and septic systems when used as directed.
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.
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.
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. However, blockages from insoluble materials will not unclog on their own.
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.
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.
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.
Repeatedly flushing too much can result in a backup. An old toilet may overflow or break. A low-flow toilet doesn't have high enough pressure to handle a larger mass of toilet paper. Debris-filled or rusted pipes may cause toilet paper to become more easily stuck.
While results vary, most standard toilet paper dissolves within a few minutes to a few hours. However, thick, quilted, or ultra-soft varieties take longer to break down, which can cause problems if too much is flushed at once.