You can unclog a toilet without a plunger by using a DIY drain snake, adding dish soap or hot water to the bowl, or using the plastic bottle method.
Unclogging toilets with a plunger is standard practice but not particularly effective. Furthermore, it’s hard to form a decent seal around the toilet bowl unless you have specialist equipment.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can unclog the lavatory without using a plunger. Check out the following options:
Use A DIY Wire Hanger As A Drain Snake
Sometimes blocked toilets clean themselves. Other times, though, you need to manipulate them manually. That’s where a DIY drain snake comes in handy. Regular plumbers use professional tools that fit down your toilet and eliminate blockages quickly. However, you don’t need to go to a trade store. Often, a repurposed wire hanger will do.
Start by uncoiling the hanger and turn it into a rod shape. Then fiddle around with it a little more so that it fits into your toilet’s drain. Then pass it through the opening until you feel resistance. Keep prodding and pushing until the blockage clears.
Just Add Hot Water
Adding hot water makes a great cup of Bovril – and it can unclog your toilets as well!
Start by filling a bucket with hot water, around 80°C. (Don’t use boiling as this could cause porcelain toilets to crack). Then pour the water into the toilet bowl.
The heat and pressure of the water should dislodge most clogs. If it doesn’t, then check out the following toilet-unblocking method:
Use Dish Soap
Dish soap is essential in the kitchen, but it’s also useful in the bathroom. Adding it to your toilet bowl makes the clog more slippery, helping your lavatory gulp it down.
For this method, grab a bottle of dish soap and then pour a good chunk of it into the bowl (about half a cup). Then leave it for a few minutes to swirl around and make its way into the blockage. Come back after an hour and flush the toilet. Hopefully, the new lubrication will encourage the clog to move into the main pipe.
Note that dish soap probably won’t work if you’ve put tampons, sanitary products or other solid items down the toilet.
If you don’t have any dish soap to hand, you can try chopping a bar of hand soap in half and shaving it into the toilet with a cheese grater. It’ll have a similar lubricating effect.
The Baking Soda Method
If dish soap doesn’t work or you don’t have any, try baking soda. Put half a cup in the toilet bowl and add two cups of vinegar. Let it fizz for a few minutes and then add hot water to see if it removes the blockage.
The Plastic Bottle Method
If all else fails, you can use the plastic bottle method.
Put on a pair of thick rubber gloves and then fill a plastic bottle with water. Place the bottle upside down in the toilet bowl and then squeeze it so that water shoots out at high speed. The force of the water may help to dislodge the clog.
With that said, if you need emergency toilet unblocking, calling in the professionals is always best.
