How To Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

Ask any plumber – the best way to unclog a toilet is to call a plumber. They have the tools and the experience to handle those kinds of problems.

But when money is tight, especially now – after tax season and during summer – you might be able to save yourself some money by doing it yourself. Many do-it-yourselfers own a plunger or even a hand-powered cabling device – often called a plumber’s “snake”. If you have either of these devices, you should be able to remove just about any clog in a toilet if you follow these easy tips to unclog a toilet!

But let’s say that you don’t own either a plunger or a cabling device. Or maybe you’re visiting friends, you clog up the toilet, and they don’t have either a plunger or a cabling device. Things can get a little embarrassing. What’s a person to do?

There are several simple solutions to this problem, and most of them will work on most toilet clogs.

First Things First – Stop The Water

To prevent flooding, you must first turn off the water so no new water enters the toilet bowl until you have successfully removed the clog. If water is still flowing into the bowl from the tank, you need to take the lid off the tank and raise up the float until the water stops flowing. It might be necessary to tie down the float to hold it in place, or jam it in place with a stick or similar object.

Then, fill a bucket with hot water from the hot tap. It is probably not a good idea to use boiling water, as this can cause the porcelain bowl to crack.

Now try one or more of these ways to loosen and then remove the clog:

1- Use Soap, Shampoo, Bleach, or a Product Like Drano

Next, pour some dish-washing soap into the bowl. Chlorine bleach can also work well. Some people even use shampoo. And there’s always Drano or Liquid Plumr. Then pour in the hot water and wait about 20 to 30 minutes for the solution to start loosening the clog.

2- A Coat Hanger Can Often Also Help

Sometimes a coat hanger is necessary to bore a hole in the clog and loosen it. Or, you might use the hooked end of the hanger and try to fish out the debris. However, if your clog is being caused by a child’s toy or some similar obstruction, a coat hanger may be of little use.

3- Coca-Cola Works Too

Some people swear by acidic soda beverages like Coca-Cola. Just pour in a bottle of Coke and leave it overnight. Coke is so acidic that it will eat through just about anything.

When you feel that you have loosened or removed the material that’s causing the clog, turn the water back on, untie the float if you had to tie it down, then flush the handle and see if you’ve succeeded.

If none of these methods successfully unclogs your toilet, call a licensed plumber.