Nature called, and you answered. Unfortunately, the toilet backed up, and you can’t find a plunger anywhere. You’re desperate to get rid of the stinky mess, and panic is starting to take over. Before you work yourself up any further, try these simple methods for unclogging toilets when you don’t have a plunger.
Dish Soap and Hot Water
Bet you didn’t know that dish soap can be used for more than just cleaning dishes, did you? If your toilet is backed up and you don’t have access to a plunger, pour about half a cup of dish soap into the toilet bowl. The soap will lubricate the pipes and help loosen anything that’s stuck. Let the soap sit for 15-20 minutes, and then dump a pot or bucket of hot water (from the tap because boiling water could crack the porcelain) into the toilet bowl and flush the mess down.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Don’t have liquid dish soap? Baking soda and vinegar can be used in place of a plunger when you have a clogged toilet. Start by removing some of the water from the toilet bowl. Then, dump a ¼ cup of baking soda into the toilet drain with 2 cups of vinegar. The bubbles from the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar should help break down the clog. Let the mixture sit for 30-40 minutes before flushing it down with hot water (again, make sure the water isn’t boiling hot).
Toilet Brush
If you don’t have a plunger but still need to get rid of a clog, you can use a toilet brush and elbow grease. Angle the brush into the toilet drain and then pump it up and down as you would with a plunger. The pressure should be able to loosen the clog and allow you to flush the toilet.
Water Bottle
If you’re not afraid of getting your hands a little dirty, you can use a plastic bottle instead of a plunger to push the clog through the toilet trap. Before you begin, you will need to wear rubber gloves, goggles, and a face mask to protect yourself from splashes.
Fill a 2-liter bottle with warm water and cover the bottle opening with your thumb. Turn the bottle upside down and position the top of the bottle near the mouth of the drain. Remove your thumb from the bottle opening, then squeeze the bottle. The water pressure should dislodge the clog.
Recruit the Help of a Professional
Is your toilet still clogged? You’ll need to reach out to a professional for drain and sewer cleaning. Frequent and stubborn toilet clogs are often a sign of a much more severe problem, such as a sewer blockage or broken pipe. Our professionals have the equipment and expertise necessary to discover the underlying issue and provide a cost-effective solution. Contact us today to book our residential plumbing repair services!