How to Unclog a Toilet or Drain Without a Plunger (Dawn Hack)
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! To keep your drains flowing freely, I highly recommend picking up a simple mesh or silicone drain catcher (also available at the dollar store). Place it over your shower and tub drains to catch hair before it ever enters your plumbing. Make it a habit to wipe it out with a tissue after every shower.
Cost: .50
Materials
- Dish Soap Dawn
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Hot Water
- Plastic Drain Snake optional, for hair clogs
- Lemon and Ice optional, for disposals
Instructions
- For toilets: Pour 1/2 cup of dish soap directly into the clogged toilet. Wait 15 to 30 minutes. Pour one gallon of hot (not boiling) water directly into the drain from waist height to force the clog through.
- For sinks: Pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain. Let fizz for 15 minutes. Flush the sink drain with a kettle of hot water.
- For tubs and showers: Always use a plastic barbed drain snake first to physically remove hair clogs before treating the pipes.
- For disposals: Grind a quartered lemon and a handful of ice cubes with cold water running to clean and deodorize the blades
Notes
Never use absolutely boiling water inside a toilet bowl, as the extreme temperature shift can crack the porcelain. Always use hot water straight from your tap or let a boiled kettle sit for 5 minutes before pouring.