How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger or Snake

A clogged toilet can be fixed in no time.

Everybody goes to the bathroom. It's science. The odds are, at some time or another, your toilet will get clogged, often because someone used too much toilet paper. Unfortunately, a plunger or "snake" isn't always available to help solve this dilemma. But that doesn't mean a call to the plumber is necessary---using materials found in your home, you can usually unclog your blocked toilet in just a few moments.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Cooking pot
• Stove

Instructions

1. Squirt some dish soap into the clogged toilet. This will help loosen the blockage and act as a lubricant to allow it to slide down your pipes. A few squirts should be sufficient.

2. Fill a large pot with water. Place the pot on your stovetop or range until it comes to a boil.

3. Pour the boiling water into your toilet from a height of approximately 3 feet. Be careful---pouring from too low won't create enough force to break up the blockage, while pouring from too high can lead to some potentially disgusting splashing. Pour slowly and steadily. The contents of the toilet should be pushed out of the bowl and further down the pipe. If the pipes are no longer clogged, the toilet's water should be below normal.

4. Flush your toilet. This will clear out any residue left behind and bring the toilet water to a normal level.

5. Repeat the process if the toilet water still appears above normal. If the toilet flushes normally, your toilet is unclogged and ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

• If the water level of your toilet rises after pouring the water in, the blockage has not been fully unclogged. Wait several minutes for the water level to return to normal, then try the process again.

• Be careful when handling boiling water. Use potholders if necessary.

References

• American Chronicle: How to Unclog a Toilet without a Plunger