How To Unclog a Toilet without a Plunger
How do you unblock a toilet without a toilet plunger? Sometimes our toilets get blocked and at the end of the day, no one wants to see their toilet overflow onto the bathroom floor! Today I’m going to share how to unclog a toilet without a plunger and without using toxic chemicals.
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In addition to toilet clogs, there are so many drain clogs that can occur in our homes. We’ve all been there. I wanted to share some different ways to unclog drains using common household items, without using chemical drain cleaners or a plunger. So, take a deep breath, and let’s get started.
*Everyone’s got different kinds of pipes, water pressure, home temperatures, etc. Please know what you are working with so you know what your limits are with your toilets, sinks, pipes, etc.
How do you unclog a toilet quickly?
Instructions to unclog a toilet
I used a lot of toilet paper to create a clogged toilet. My draino for toilets consists of dish detergent and warm water. I start by pouring in 1 cup of dish soap and letting that sit for a couple of minutes.
Next, I add 4 cups of hot water (not boiling). Let this sit for a couple of minutes to start the unclogging process.
Flush the toilet – It might start slow as it’s breaking everything free, but then it should flush away. You can repeat the process a second time if there is still some left behind.
If you like this you might like my other Cleaning Tutorials.
How do you unblock a sink without a plunger?
Instructions to unclog a sink
If you are clearing out a sink in your home like this one… try snaking it out with a drain snake first. You can pick these up at places like Dollar Tree and Walmart.
Just stick it down the drain hole and pull it up. You will be amazed at the hair, toothpaste, and other yucky stuff that will come up.
When you have it cleaned out as much as possible proceed to the next steps below.
If your sink is slow to drain or you have a clogged pipe it is probably due to build-up. Sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain and let it sit for a minute.
Next pour in 1 cup of vinegar.
You’ll get a fun fizzy reaction – remember building volcanoes in school? Once the fizzy chemical reaction is done let it sit for a couple of minutes.
Follow that up with boiling water – if you don’t want to use boiling water you can flush it with the hottest water from your faucet. This will help loosen more up and flush the system out.
If you like this you might enjoy some of my other Tips & Hacks!
Instructions to unblock a drain
If it’s your kitchen sink, slice a lemon and put it in the garbage disposal. Turn your disposal on to clean everything out. The lemon will deodorize your garbage disposal and clean out any gunk down there.
One of the last things I always do is put the stopper in, fill the sink up, and then let it drain just to make sure it’s good and clear.
If it’s your kitchen sink I recommend turning on the garbage disposal again while draining as the added force of the water will pull all the other stuff further down the drain.
Bathroom drain clog prevention
It’s always a good idea to prevent clogs whenever possible. Consider using a strainer in your bathtub, sinks, kitchen sinks, etc. These can be picked up at Dollar Tree, Walmart, or online. In a bathtub or bathroom sink, use it to cover the drain like this.
It’s the best way to prevent hair or foreign objects from going down the drain.
If you like this you might like some of my Organizing Tips & Hacks
Good luck!
Learn more about “Why to Deep Clean and Organize Your Home” to save money, function better, and keep your sanity.
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How To Unclog a Toilet without a Plunger Video
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Another helpful collection of tips!
Thank you so much Michele
Really useful tips
Mollyx
Thanks so much Molly
Such handy tips! Wish I had read this a few weeks ago… we were renting a house on vacation and when our toilet clogged we could not find a plunger anywhere!
Thank you and Oh no! I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I know how challenging it can be when you’re in a rental and something goes wrong.
I used the soda and vinegar one on a clogged bathroom tub drain and it worked well. Thank you for sharing these tips.
Thank you so much for sharing Lee and I’m so glad it worked for you too.
Chas, thanks for the great tips. I had no idea those little mini-snakes existed. Must pick up a package. ~ Jean
They are so great and cleared my daughter’s sink right up. We haven’t had any trouble since.
Thank you for the helpful tips. I love reading your posts. Found this at Happiness is Homemade.
You are so sweet Amy, thank you. Thanks for stopping by.
Really good tips but prevention is the best. Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty Link Party #CCBG.
Thank you Janet and I totally agree. Sometimes things happen that you just can’t control and these hopefully will help during those times.
Thanks for sharing these tips, Chas. Blessings to you.
Thank you very much 🙂
Great ideas! I like the sink volcano idea! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Thank you so much Kim and it’s fun to watch – kids love to watch and learn too that way 🙂
It’s so nice to have ways to clear clogs that don’t involve nasty chemicals! Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful hints and tips, Chas, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope to see you again this week. Have a great week ahead!
.
Thank you so much April and thanks for hosting a wonderful party 🙂 It’s always a joy to read your posts and see what you have been up to.
Why thank you, Chas! I’m so glad you enjoy them!
That is pretty cool that you can unclog a drain with water and liquid. My wife and I are tired of our toilet getting clogged. I’ll have to consider hiring a plumber.
I’m so sorry to hear that and I hope this might help you a bit in the mean time. Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you for sharing such a helpful guide – I got nothing to add.
The only thing is that in the future, to prevent a toilet from clogging, use toilet cleaning tablets. These tablets can sit on the inside of the toilet bowl or the inside of the tank and help prevent limescale, calcium, and other common stains. If there are fewer calcium stains in the toilet bowl, then there will be less calcium buildup in the pipes, which means you have fewer chances of having a clogged toilet.
Here’s another useful suggestion I’ve discovered: employing a wet/dry vacuum. If you happen to possess one in your household, you can utilize it to extract both water and debris from a obstructed toilet or sink, providing a swift and efficient means of clearing blockages. Additionally, it’s important to keep up with routine maintenance; pouring boiling water down your drains at intervals can be a proactive measure to prevent clogs from forming initially.
Good point! Additionally, consider using enzyme-based cleaners monthly; they help break down waste in the pipes, keeping everything flowing smoothly without harsh chemicals.
Wow, these are some fantastic tips for unclogging drains and toilets without having to use a plunger! I never thought of using a combination of baking soda and vinegar for this. Thanks for sharing these creative solutions!
Thank you Adrienne
Thank you for the great tips on unclogging toilets and sinks! One additional tip for stubborn clogs is using a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the blockage, which can be very effective. Also, regularly cleaning the P-trap in your kitchen sink can prevent clogs.
Thanks for sharing
An additional method you might find helpful is using a plastic bottle. Fill an empty plastic bottle with warm water, seal it with your thumb, and then place the bottle’s opening into the toilet drain while releasing the water forcefully. This can create a pressure effect similar to a plunger, helping to dislodge the blockage. This simple yet effective trick can save the day when you don’t have a plunger on hand.
Thanks for sharing
For a useful tip to unclog drains and toilets without plunging, consider using a wet/dry vacuum. Set the vacuum to liquid cleanup, create a tight seal around the drain or toilet with the vacuum hose, and turn it on. The strong suction can dislodge clogs effectively. This method is especially useful for stubborn blockages that baking soda and vinegar or hot water alone can’t resolve, providing a powerful alternative to chemical drain cleaners while protecting your pipes.
Thanks for sharing
You can also try to use a wet/dry vacuum. This tool can be incredibly effective for removing blockages. First, ensure the vacuum is set to wet mode. Create a seal around the vacuum hose using an old towel or rag, then place it over the toilet drain and turn it on. The suction can pull out the clog, clearing the toilet without the need for harsh chemicals or other tools. This method is particularly useful for stubborn clogs that aren’t easily dislodged with hot water or soap.
For an unconventional method to unclog a toilet without a plunger, consider using a wire coat hanger. Straighten the hanger and create a small hook at the end. Carefully insert the hooked end into the toilet drain and try to dislodge the clog by gently twisting and pushing. This method can be particularly effective for clogs near the drain entrance and helps avoid the mess of other approaches.
Thank you for sharing this! Baking soda and vinegar are an excellent remedy. But I want to add how important it is to follow the mentioned proportions and use 1 cup of vinegar for 1/2 cup of baking soda. You can use more, but don’t use less vinegar. Otherwise, the reaction can create a mushy, sludgy mess. And follow up with a good amount of hot water – that’s super important too. I’ve had so many people tell me their drains actually got slower after trying this because they didn’t use enough vinegar or water. This method works well, but only when used correctly.
Thank you for sharing
If none of the usual tricks work and the toilet keeps clogging or draining slowly, the issue might not be in the bowl at all. It could be a blocked vent pipe (usually on the roof), which helps regulate air pressure in the drain system. When it’s clogged with leaves or debris, it can affect flushing power and even cause gurgling sounds in nearby drains. It’s something many homeowners overlook, but a quick check or call to a plumber can prevent future headaches.
Thank you for sharing