Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

Shawna Bailey
by Shawna Bailey
2 Materials
5 Minutes
Easy

This is the coolest trick to unclog a toilet. It's so much cleaner than using a plunger. I can’t promise it will work every time for you, but it worked every time I tried it. All you need is dish soap and hot water.

I would never actually photograph a real clogged toilet because that would be gross. But I wanted to show you how well this method worked, so I stuffed my toilet full of paper towels and toilet paper. I thought those were some pretty tough conditions.


Step 1: Gather Supplies

I used dish soap and hot water. (I told you this was cleaner than using a plunger!)


Step 2: Squirt in Some Soap

I just squirted in about ¼ cup of dish soap.

You'll see the soap settle to the bottom. It lubricates the toilet bowl and helps break up the toilet paper.


Step 3: Add Very Warm Water

I didn’t add boiling water because I didn’t want to damage any of the seals or the toilet bowl itself, but hot water helps break up all the toilet paper. Add enough to help break everything up, but make sure not to overflow the toilet.


Step 4: Flush

You'll see the water slowly move down (it might take a few minutes, so be patient). Once that happens, feel free to flush it and watch the clog go down the drain. Easy peasy!


For more ideas on how to fix a gurgling toilet click here!


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Resources for this project:
Warm water
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  • Willie Knierim Willie Knierim on May 22, 2021

    How do you unclog a sink drain w/o a plunger?

  • Dusti Dusti on Mar 09, 2023

    Is Dawn dishwashing liquid (the one with the duck) it’s not as extra triple action on grease and such, work ok in the toilet and is it safe?

  • Dusti Dusti on Mar 09, 2023

    I’m really impressed with your toilet unclogged method please help?!

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  • Laura Laura on Feb 10, 2023

    I kept your page open just incase it actually worked so I could thank you… WELL IT WORKED LIKE A CHAMP !!!!!!! I was just about to get the toilet auger out. I plunged to no avail so it was time to break out the heavy artillery! I thought just on a whim let me check the app. I read a few ideas & yours sounded logical. I constantly have problems with my one toilet at least 4-5 times a year. Ever since I had the house built about 8 years ago. Well I’m telling everyone about this HACK….. It will hopefully in the future keep my frustration level down. I can’t thank you ENOUGH!!!! Ya saved a good hour & 1/2 of my day. icon

  • Deanna Deanna on Feb 19, 2023

    Absolutely.

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