How to Unclog a Toilet When You Don’t Have an Enema

A clogged toilet will be very inconvenient because you can not use it and risk overflowing. If your toilet is clogged and you don’t have a toilet bowl available, there are still many other familiar items that can clear the blockage. In cases of severe blockages, unclogging the toilet is an effective solution. After unclogging, the toilet will work normally again.

Table of Contents

With dish soap and hot water

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Put 60 ml of dishwashing liquid in the toilet bowl and soak for 25 minutes. Pour dishwashing liquid directly into the toilet bowl so that the solution sinks to the bottom. After about 25 minutes, the soap will lubricate the pipe and make it easier for the obstruction to float down. During this process, you will see the water level gradually drop as the obstacle is slowly descending. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If dishwashing liquid is not available, you can use another foaming cleaning solution such as shampoo or body wash. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Pour 4 liters of hot water into the toilet bowl. Turn the shower on to the hottest setting and slowly pour water straight into the hole in the toilet to push the obstruction down. Hot water combined with soap will dissolve the obstruction so you can flush the toilet again. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Only pour hot water into the toilet if you are sure that the water will not overflow.

Note: Do not pour boiling water into the toilet. Sudden temperature changes can crack the ceramic/porcelain and cause the toilet to fail.

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Try flushing again to see if the obstruction can come down. Press flush as usual to see if the water drains completely. If the toilet is back to normal, the dish soap and hot water have done a great job. If not then you need to do it again or try another way. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

With a mixture of baking soda and vinegar

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Add 1 cup (230 g) of baking soda to the toilet bowl. Pour baking soda directly into the water. Try to spread the powder evenly over the entire surface. Wait until the baking soda sinks to the bottom of the toilet before continuing. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Tip: If the toilet is not full, you can add 4 liters of hot water to dissolve the obstruction.

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Put 480 ml of vinegar in the toilet. Slowly pour in the vinegar in a circular motion so that the solution is evenly distributed over the toilet bowl. The vinegar and baking soda mixture will begin to boil and bubble due to the chemical reaction. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

You need to make sure that the vinegar doesn’t bubble up over the toilet wall, otherwise we’ll have to clean up a battlefield later.

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Let the mixture work for 1 hour before rinsing. When the vinegar and baking soda react chemically, the mixture will break up the obstruction so that the whole thing can float down the pipe easily. Use a different toilet or wait for about an hour to pass before trying to flush again. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

If the water still can’t get down, add the same amount of baking soda and vinegar and leave it overnight this time.

Use a hanger to clear obstacles

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Straighten the hanger but leave the hook part intact. Use sharp-pointed pliers to secure the hook. With the other hand rotate the bottom of the hanger to remove it. After removing, bend the hook as straight as possible, leaving the hook part as a handle. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Tie the rag around the top of the hook. Use the end without the hook. Wrap a rag around this section and tie a knot to secure the piece of fabric. The rag will help limit scratching the toilet wall when you insert the hook into the pipe. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Choose a cleaning rag that you don’t need to reuse because it will get very dirty after coming into contact with an obstruction.

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Pour 60 ml of dishwashing liquid into the toilet. Let the soap soak into the bottom of the toilet bowl and work for about 5 minutes before using the hook. During this time, the obstruction will be lubricated by soap and easier to break. ^{[10] X Research Source}

If you don’t have dish soap, you can use another foaming cleanser like shampoo or body wash.

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Insert the end of the hanger with the rag into the toilet. Insert the rag-wrapped hook end into the toilet pipe. When you encounter an obstacle, keep pushing the hook deep into the pipe or until you can’t insert it any further. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Wear rubber gloves to prevent water from splashing in the toilet.

Note: Clothes hangers can scratch the bottom of the toilet bowl. If you don’t want the toilet to be scratched, you should buy a dedicated toilet unblocker.

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Push the hook back and forth in the pipe to break the obstruction. Use quick up and down movements to push obstacles. As the obstruction loosens, the water level in the toilet will also drop. Keep pushing until you can no longer feel the resistance. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If you have pushed the hook all the way down and still can’t feel an obstruction or blockage, the problem may be deeper in the pipe.

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Flush toilet. After removing the hook, try flushing the toilet as usual. If you succeed then the water will flow down the pipe easily. If there is still water retention, try to clear it again. ^{[13] X Research Source}

If after a second application the water stasis still does not improve, call a toilet unclogging service or plumber to take care of the problem.

Warning

Never pour boiling water into the toilet as sudden temperature changes can crack the porcelain toilet bowl. ^{[14] X Research Source}
If you have tried all of the above methods and the toilet is still clogged, contact a toilet unclogging service or plumber as soon as possible.

Things you need

With dish soap and hot water

Dishwashing liquid
Dandruff

With a mixture of baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda
Vinegar

Use a hanger to clear obstacles

Metal hanger
Pointed pliers
Rag
Dishwashing liquid
Rubber gloves

Steps

With dish soap and hot water

With a mixture of baking soda and vinegar

Use a hanger to clear obstacles

Warning

Things you need

With dish soap and hot water

With a mixture of baking soda and vinegar

Use a hanger to clear obstacles

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