If a toilet becomes clogged, it may be easiest to use a toilet plunger or drain cleaner. But what if you don’t have access to these items? If this is the case, a simple bottle of bleach may be the best answer.
Using Bleach to Remove Blockages and Clear Out Your Toilet
The chemicals used in most household bleach usually contain high amounts of chlorine, which works to break down organic items such as hair, some fats and grease and toilet paper. While it’s usually not as effective as professional grade drain cleaner, it may be an easily accessible solution in an emergency. Give bleach a try if you have nothing else available.
Don’t Want to Call a Plumber? Try These Other DIY Unclogging Tips
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Measure out about a cupful of baking soda and pour this into your toilet. Leave it to settle, then flush. While the toilet is flushing, pour in 1-2 cups of vinegar. These two items will react and expand, helping to break down blockages in your toilet.
Boiling Water with Dish Soap
Pour in half a cup of dish soap and leave this for a moment. Then flush through with 3-4 cups of boiling water. Just as it works to clean your dishes, the soap will break down debris in your toilet and clean some blockages.
Wire hanger
If the above methods are not successful, try unwinding a wire hanger. Use it to go as deep as possible into your toilet trap and remove any unwanted blockages that are present.
If none of these options work, don’t call the plumber just yet. There are some other options available at the hardware store for you to try.
Plunger
Place the plunger over the toilet to create a seal and push in and out in a steady motion. The plunger will work to either push down any blockages or bring them up. Either way will mean the problem is fixed.
Chemical drain cleaner
Read the instructions on the label as each product will be slightly different. Most will require the cleaner to be left in the toilet for 30-60 minutes to break down debris. Flush afterwards and the toilet should be clear.
Toilet auger/Drain snake –
While usually used by plumbers, these devices are easy to use if you have access to them. Simply push the tube down through the toilet until you feel the blockage, work the drain snake to remove, break up the clog or take hold and retrieve the blockage.
Each of these steps is worth trying before seeing a plumber. If you are still having issues such as the toilet draining slowly or backing up, calling a plumber will be required!