How To Fix A Stuffed Toilet

5 Ways You Can Unclog a Toilet Bowl Without a Plunger

Get things in working order with these mess-proof ideas for how to unclog a toilet without a plunger.

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toilet plunger LightField Studios/Shutterstock

How to unclog your toilet without a plunger

We've all been there. The toilet is clogged and you can't find your trusty (and probably crusty) plunger. No sweat! As long as you don't make this mistake which will make your clogged toilet so much worse, we can get you through this! These hacks will help you unclog a toilet without a plunger, whether you lost it, refuse to touch it, or are looking to live a plunger free life.

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dish soap Klepach/Shutterstock

Start with dish soap

As soon as the toilet clogs, head to the kitchen and fetch some dish soap; the slippery soap should help lubricate the clogged pipe and allow the lodged debris to slide down more easily. Pour about a half-cup into the toilet. If you haven't got any dish soap on hand, chop bar soap into small chunks and drop the pieces into the toilet. These are the 12 things you should never flush down the toilet.

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water faucet OBprod/Shutterstock

Add hot water

If dish soap alone doesn't do the trick, adding water might move things along. Fill a bucket with hot bath water (boiling water could cause a porcelain toilet to crack), and pour the water into the toilet from waist level. The force of the water could dislodge whatever is causing the clog.

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wire hangers Jelena990/Shutterstock

DIY a drain snake using a wire hanger

Disclaimer: right before you googled "how to unclog a toilet without a plunger," you probably should have determined what is causing this blockage. A more severe blockage could require manually moving the item. To do this, unravel a wire coat hanger until it's straight. Push one end of the wire into the clogged area. Prod the debris until it becomes free and flows down the drain.

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baking soda vinegar lemons New Africa/Shutterstock

Try this mixture

As an alternative to using dish soap, try this all-natural solution: Pour 1 cup baking soda and 2 cups vinegar into the toilet. Allow it to fizz for a half hour. If the clog doesn't dissipate, try the hot water trick to unclog a toilet without a plunger. And try not to be too grossed out—here are 9 everyday items dirtier than a toilet seat.

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water bottles PNK8619/Shutterstock

Use a plastic bottle to create water pressure

Warning: This trick could get messy, but it works for how to unclog a toilet without a plunger. Start by removing as much water from the toilet bowl as possible (you can do this by repeatedly filling a small container with toilet water and pouring the water into a bucket). Next, fill a large plastic bottle with warm water. Place your thumb over the top of the bottle, and fit the top end of the bottle into the outlet at the bottom of the toilet (you'll want to wear rubber gloves for this step). Remove your thumb and squeeze the bottle so the water inside shoots down the pipe. The added pressure could dislodge whatever was causing the clog. Check out more home improvement projects you can do by yourself.

Originally Published: April 05, 2019

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