Can't flush the toilet? If a clog is obstructing water drainage or your toilet is slow to drain and you suspect a clog may be the problem, there are a few different methods and techniques you can use to clear the clog and unclog the toilet, possibly without the help of one to free the plumber. You can clean the toilet drain using home remedies without spending a lot of time and effort!
The best way to fix a clogged toilet is with a suction cup, but there may be situations where you don't have access to one. If the toilet is clogged and you don't have a suction cup handy, don't be afraid. There is more than one wayto unclog the toilet, and some of these options include common household items you probably already have. If the clog is particularly stubborn, you may need to use a drain snake to clear the clog. With these home remedies you can also remove some minor blockages.
Clean the toilet drain with the suction cup
This is the easiest way to clear small blockages. Take a plunger, close your toilet bowl drain tightly and push it in as hard as you can to create suction and loosen the clog. It is often best to clean the toilet in addition to the other methods on this list, as immersion increases the effectiveness of the methods.
Baking soda and vinegar are classics of the genre
This remedy should not be used if your pipes are completely blocked, but only if they are draining very slowly. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the toilet, flush it, then add 1-2 cups of vinegar while flushing the baking soda. This triggers a chemical reaction that can help clear the blockage.
Dishwashing liquid and hot water
Again, you should not do this if the toilet is completely clogged as you will need to flush the water down the drain. If your toilet is completely clogged, this won't work. Pour ½ cup dish soapin die Toilette, rinse them and then add 3-4 cups of hot water. The dish soap and hot water can work together to lubricate and break up the clog. When you see the water begin to drain, you will know if your efforts have been successful. Then flush the toilet once or twice.
Wire hanger or pipe snake
In some cases, a shallow clog can be solved with a wire clothes hanger. Unwind the hanger, insert it into the drain as far as it will go, then move it to break up trash and toilet paper and dislodge the clog. A pipe snake or “drain snake” is even more effective. You can buy these at any hardware store. It looks like a long, flexible piece of metal pipe with a drill-like tip. You simply push it into the drain, pull it out, and then twist it to clear the clog.
Use a wet/dry vacuum for a clogged toilet
If you have a wet/dry vacuum, you can use it to clear clogsin your toiletuse. Insert the nozzle into the drain and wrap a towel around it to clear the clog. Then turn on the vacuum cleaner to suck out the water and clear the blockage. Be sure to thoroughly disinfect and clean the vacuum cleaner afterwards as there is likely to be waste and bacteria in the vacuum cleaner.
Clean the toilet drain with the toilet brush
This may sound a bit unpleasant, but if you're really in a bind and there's no suction cup in sight, take a toilet brush and place the bristles down the drain. Pumping up and down a few times should be enough to clear the blockage in no time.
Try this mixture
To clear the clog yourself, mix the following ingredients together: 2 cups baking soda, 1/4 cup Epsom salt, and 8-10 tablespoons dishwashing liquid (add one tablespoon at a time). Pour the mixture into individual muffin cups and allow to dry and harden overnight. The next morning, put one in the toilet bowl, add four cups of water and let it sit for a few hours to see the results.
Also read:Toilet clogged – what to do? The best home remedies + tricks with and without a plunger!
