How do you fix a clogged toilet that won't go down?

Author: Mrs. Cathryn Smith  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Hot Water and Dish Soap Wait for 10-15 minutes while the dish soap and hot water soften the clog. Once you do so, the toilet will unclog and flush freely. Alternatively, you could use hot water and shampoo from the sink if you wish to clear your toilet without leaving your bathroom.

How do you unclog a toilet when the water won't go down?

Try To Soften the Clog

Put a soap dish, shampoo, or slivers of bar soap in the bowl. Then heat a gallon of water to the temperature of hot tea, pour into the bowl, and wait about 20 minutes. Baking Soda and Vinegar – Try a safe chemical reaction. Measure one cup of baking soda and pour it into the toilet bowl.

How to unblock a severely blocked toilet?

Pour half a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl. Then, heat 2-3 litres of water in a saucepan. Before the water boils, add half a cup of white vinegar to the pan. Pour the vinegar and water mix into the toilet bowl and close the lid.

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.

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.

Unclog A Toilet-3 Different Ways Guaranteed!

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 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.

Will a blocked toilet eventually unblock itself?

Will a toilet eventually unclog itself? It may unblock itself, however, only part of the blockage may have been removed, allowing water to drain. This may lead you think the issue is resolved, when in fact it's building up and could cause more issues in the long run.

How do you dissolve clogged toilet tissue?

Pour in boiling water.

The high heat will help soften compacted paper and flush small pieces away. Repeat using smaller amounts of boiling water if needed. Do not lean over the toilet during this.

How to unclog a toilet main line?

Mix 1/3 of a cup of vinegar with 1/3 of a cup of baking soda and pour the fizzy mixture into the clogged sewer drain immediately. If you don't know how to unclog main sewer line, take advantage of vinegar to eliminate the grime, grease, and hair in the pipe. Flush the pipe with hot water after one hour.

How do you unblock a badly blocked bathroom?

Start by pouring a kettle full of boiling water down the drain to loosen any grease around the blockage. Now pour down two tablespoons of baking soda and leave it to settle on the blockage for several minutes. Finally, pour a cup of white vinegar down and let the fizzing reaction work its magic for five minutes.

Does bleach unclog a 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.

Will a clogged toilet eventually go down?

You'll be pleased to know that a standard blockage, caused by flushing inappropriate materials or too much toilet roll, will unblock itself eventually. However, bear in mind that the problem will continue until you've had your drains jetted or rodded to remove any leftover obstructions.

How long does dish soap take to 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 will dissolve a toilet clog?

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 clear a badly clogged toilet?

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 when the water is high?

If you don't have a plunger available, you can try the following methods to unclog a toilet: Hot Water and Dish Soap: Add a few cups of hot (but not boiling) water and a few squirts of dish soap into the toilet bowl. Let it sit for a while, and then flush to see if the clog has cleared.

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.

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.

What happens when you can't unclog a toilet?

If not addressed, a clogged toilet can lead to leaks or overflow, causing water damage to your home. If you see water seeping from the base of your toilet, it's time to call a professional. 4. How often should I have my sewer line inspected or cleaned?

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.

How much does it cost to unclog a toilet?

Costs Associated With Unclogging A Toilet

Toilet unclogging projects can range anywhere from $85-$600, depending upon the overall extent of the clog. Basic cleanouts will only cost around $80-$150, but serious clogs may require more sophisticated drain cleaning technology that increases the average costs to $150-$300.

What can unclog a toilet other than a plunger?

However, a plunger isn't the only way to unclog a drain. If you experience a clogged toilet and don't have a plunger, there are other useful methods, including dish soap and hot water, baking soda and vinegar, Epsom salt, a metal wire hanger, and a plastic bottle.

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