A blocked toilet is a real inconvenience, especially if you don't have a plunger. So knowing how to unclog a toilet without a plunger can be a real lifesaver. Ideally you should always have a plunger handy for emergencies, but if you don’t, don't worry, there are a whole host of alternatives that can come to your rescue.
Whatever type of toilet you have it is susceptible to getting blocked, especially if you try to flush certain items down the toilet. The simple solution is to avoid anything apart from toilet tissue. But if you do and you don't have a plunger ready to save the day, here we serve up a selection of solutions.
Galia Ivanova
Galia Ivanova is the founder and CEO of Cleaning Estimate, a company dedicated to providing exceptional cleaning services to homes and businesses in the greater London area. She has over 15 years of experience in the industry.
7 ways to unblock a toilet without a plunger
If you don’t have access to a plunger like these NEIKO Toilet Plungers from Amazon, then you need to look for an alternative solution. Here we look at what you can use instead.
But be careful, if any of these solutions don't work be prepared for the overflow of water back out of the pan. If you can, it's always advisable to cover the floor around the toilet with plastic and absorbent materials prior to attempting to clear any blockage.
1. Washing up liquid
A common household item like washing up liquid can do the job as Galia Ivanova, owner of Cleaning Estimate explains, “The easiest start is warm water with something soapy. If I’ve got washing-up liquid on hand, I’ll squirt a bit in and then slowly pour in a bucket of hot water, but not boiling water as I don’t want to crack anything. I wait a couple of minutes and then flush.”
2. Washing powder
If you have no washing up liquid in the house, washing powder or detergent can be an alternative shares Ivanova. “If I’m out of dish soap, laundry detergent can do something similar, though it might not be as quick.”
3. Soda crystals and vinegar
“Another trick I use is the soda crystals and vinegar combo,” reveals Ivanova. She adds, “it’s a weird science fair moment, watching it fizz up.”
She shares her method: “I pour in some soda crystals, then add vinegar slowly to avoid a mess. Let it sit for maybe half an hour, then follow with warm water. This can particularly help loosen smaller blockages,” she adds.
Try these products to help unclog your toilet
Dri Pak Soda Crystals
A 2-pack of traditional soda crystals. Ideal for cleaning and deodorizing and keeping sinks, toilets and drains fresh
Drain Snake With Drill Attachment
A complete clog removal kit including a 50 foot drain snake designed for effectively clearing clogs in showers, kitchens and toilets
Hewi Heinrich Wilke Toilet Brush
An everyday pure white 460 mm long toilet brush with a replaceable brush head made of black polyamide
4. Drain snake
A drain snake, also known as a toilet auger, is less commonly used, but does a good job. “If things are more stubborn, I’ve grabbed a simple drain snake (auger) in the past,' says Ivanoa. "Just feed it in and twist until you hit the clog, then break it up or pull it out.”
“It’s not pretty," she warns, "but it’s straightforward and effective.”Find out more in our what is a drain snake guide.
5. Toilet brush
You may not have a plunger nearby, but you could well have a toilet brush in the vicinity that can be used as an alternative. Alhough Ivanova says, “In a real “I’ll try anything” moment, I’ve tried a toilet brush wrapped in a plastic bag to create some suction, kind of faking a plunger effect. It’s not elegant, but desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures, right?”
6. Wet/dry vacuum cleaner
This is a slightly unusual option that can be used if you have a wet/dry vacuum cleaner – like this Karcher WD 5 model from Amazon. If you're happy to use it, it can be used to suck out the blockage.
But Ivanova only recommends it as a last resort. “Personally, I’d only use if I’m really out of options. It can work, but then you’ve got to clean the vacuum. Let’s just say it’s not the highlight of anyone’s day.”
7. Coat hanger
The final suggestion is the classic coat hanger trick which is a cheap solution and worth a try until you can get a better option.
“If you’re really stuck, bending a wire hanger into a hook and carefully fishing out or loosening whatever’s causing the clog might save you a trip to the store," says Ivanova. "Just make sure you don't scratch the porcelain.”
FAQs
Is it OK to flush a clogged toilet?
If you have a blocked toilet, it isn’t advisable to flush it immediately as Georgina Shepherd, cleaning expert at Housekeep explains. “You should avoid flushing a clogged toilet as this can cause the water to rise, and if the clog doesn’t clear, it might overflow.”
The alternative is to do half a flush, so the bowl isn’t filled to the top to see if the weight of the water will move the block. Leave for a while and see how long it takes for the water level to drop. If it doesn't, do not flush again.
Georgina Shepherd
Georgina is a home cleaning expert at Housekeep. She's interviewed thousands of the UK’s best cleaners and tradespeople, along the way learning the top tricks of the trade.
Does Coca-Cola unblock a toilet?
It may be unconventional but Coca-Cola is often touted as an option for unblocking a toilet. But how effective is it? Georgina Shepherd explains it really can work if you have nothing else to hand.
“Surprisingly, Coca-Cola can sometimes help unblock a clogged toilet. Pour a can down your loo, and leave it to sit for about an hour. Its acidity and carbonation should work together to break down the clog. Keep in mind, though, that it may struggle to tackle more stubborn blockages.”
And it's not just a recipe for unclogging a toilet. It has other properties as well as Georgina continues, “Due to its acidic nature, Coca-Cola can work well for removing stains but it has no disinfectant properties,” she adds, “so you should still go in with a toilet cleaner once the blockage has cleared.”
Should I let a blocked toilet sit for a while?
You typically only know when a toilet is blocked when you go to flush and the bowl fills up. The question is should you leave it? Georgina Shepherd says, “In some cases, toilets can sometimes unblock themselves just by sitting for a few hours. If the clog is mostly made up of toilet paper, the water should eventually soften and dissolve the clog, allowing you to flush.”
But if toilet paper isn’t the problem, leaving it may not help, she warns. “If the clog is caused by more insoluble materials, like wipes or other non-flushable items - waiting won’t help and leaving it may just make the problem worse!”
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Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator with over two decades of experience working in digital and print and was previously the DIY content editor for Homebuilding & Renovating.
He is a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years and spending time at night school learning how to plaster and plumb.
He has fitted kitchens, tiled bathrooms and kitchens, laid many floors, built partition walls, plastered walls, plumbed in bathrooms, worked on loft conversions and much more. And when he's not sure how to tackle a DIY project he has a wide network of friends – including plumbers, gas engineers, tilers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians and builders – in the trade to call upon.
