How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger (or Chemicals)

Few things cause as much panic as watching the water in a clogged toilet bowl slowly rise when you don't have a plunger to fix it. Toilet clogs are fairly common, and luckily, there's more than one way to unclog a toilet without a plunger or chemicals (which may endanger your pipes and septic system). We checked in with several cleaning experts who share their tips and tricks on how to unclog a toilet without a plunger.

Safety Precautions

Unclogging a toilet can be messy, and safety precautions are essential when it comes to preventing any potential hazards, says Alicia Sokolowski, cleaning expert, president, and co-CEO of Aspen Clean. 

• Wear protective gear: Rubber gloves can protect your hands from contact with "potentially harmful bacteria and germs," says Sokolowski.
• Remove as much water as possible: For most methods, you'll want to remove as much water from the clogged toilet bowl as possible before you get to work (this will limit your germ exposure); do so by removing the water with a small disposable cup.
• Ventilate the bathroom: Working in a well-ventilated space will help with any unpleasant smells or fumes. Turn on your bathroom's vent or crack open a window.
  
• Turn off the water: "Before attempting to unclog the toilet, turn off the water supply by locating the shut-off valve, usually near the base of the toilet," says Sokolowski. "This prevents any accidental overflow during the unclogging process." 
• Grab a bucket and towels: "Keep a bucket and old towels nearby to catch any overflow or spills during the unclogging process," says Sokolowski. 

In addition to these essentials, you'll also need some specific items for each method described below.

Method 1: Hot Water and Dish Soap

Make a sudsy mix of hot water and dish soap to unclog your toilet, says Marla Mock, a cleaning expert and the president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.

Materials Needed

• Hot water
• Bucket
• Dish soap

Steps

1. Pour a bucket of hot (but not boiling) water into the toilet bowl.
2. Add a few tablespoons of dish soap to the water.
3. Let the hot water and soap sit so it has time to soften the clog; attempt to flush the toilet.
4. Repeat the process as needed until the clog is cleared.

Method 2: Forced Flush

Some toilet troubles happen when minor clogs cause your toilet to drain slowly—before you intervene, let gravity do some of the work.

"If your toilet has become backed up either due to someone using too much toilet paper or someone having an upset stomach, start by closing the lid and letting the water drain down slowly by itself," says Rochelle Wilkinson of Dirt Detective Cleaning. Wait about 30 minutes to an hour for it to drain completely.

Materials Needed

• Hot water
• Bucket

Steps

1. Close the toilet's lid. Wait 30 minutes to an hour for the toilet to drain.
2. Once the toilet has emptied, fill up your bucket with hot water.
3. Lift the lid and, with force, pour all of the water from the bucket into the toilet bowl. "This will push the water down from the top as opposed to pushing the handle, causing a swirling action and refilling the bowl," says Wilkinson.

Method 3: Wire Hanger

Use an unfolded wire hanger and a little muscle for this method, says Sarah Mitchell from Eco Mama Green Clean.

Materials Needed

• Wire hanger (unfolded until straight)

Steps

1. Unravel the coat hanger until it is straight.
2. Push the hanger into the toilet and towards the area of the clog.
3. Continue poking down towards the clog until you see water levels start to dissipate or air bubbles (which means you've found the source of your problem).

Method 4: Baking Soda and Vinegar

According to Wilkinson, you can unclog a toilet using these powerhouse ingredients from your kitchen. Using baking soda and vinegar creates a fizzing action that may cause enough movement to dislodge the problem.

Materials Needed

• Hot water
• Bucket
• Box of baking soda
• 1 gallon of white vinegar 

Steps

1. Fill the toilet bowl with baking soda, focusing on the center of the toilet.
2. "Take 1 gallon of white vinegar and pour half of the gallon right in the middle of the baking soda pile," says Wilkinson. The mixture should "naturally fizz up" and dissolve the baking soda.
3. Pour hot water from your bucket to finish washing away the baking soda/vinegar mixture.
4. Repeat as needed.

Method 5: Toilet Brush

If you're dealing with a surface-level clog and you're lucky enough to have a toilet brush nearby, you may be able to use it to break up the clog, says Mock. This entails putting the bristled end into the toilet drain opening and plunging it back and forth in the direction of the clog to create some action that could dislodge the problem.

Method 6: Wet/Dry Vacuum

Wet/dry vacuums can be used in a pinch for plumbing emergencies, says Mock.

1. Set the vacuum to the wet setting.
2. Place the vacuum nozzle over the toilet drain, creating a seal.
3. Turn on the vacuum to draw out the clog.
   

Method 7: Plastic Bottle

Wear rubber gloves for this method. According to Mock, a large plastic water bottle without a cap creates pressure when placed into the clogged drain.

Materials Needed

• Large plastic bottle
• Small plastic cups
• Hot water

Steps

1. Remove as much water from your toilet as possible with a small plastic cup.
2. Fill the large plastic bottle with hot water.
3. Cover the opening of the bottle with your thumb and place the bottle nozzle-first into the toilet. Press the bottle into the toilet drain, remove your hand, and quickly release and squeeze it. This creates a burst of pressure that may dislodge the clog.
4. Repeat as necessary. 

How to Prevent Future Toilet Clogs

The key to preventing future clogs involves being mindful of what you flush down the toilet, says Sokolowski. That means only flushing toilet-friendly materials, like toilet paper and human waste.

"Avoid flushing items like paper towels, facial tissues, baby wipes, cotton balls, feminine hygiene products, or non-biodegradable materials," she says, adding that these can easily cause clogs and damage your plumbing.

Consider using toilet guards or childproof toilet locks to prevent little ones from flushing things they shouldn't.

Troubleshooting Common Toilet Issues

Not every clog is created equal. Sometimes, your issue can be caused by a weak flush, which Mock says can be identified and fixed by checking the water level in your tank and adjusting the float or chain. Here are some other common issues to watch for:

• Blockages: If you've noticed gurgling sounds, it could be a problem further down the plumbing line. "This may indicate a blockage in the vent stack; consider using a plumbing snake to clear it," says Mock. 
• Partial clogs: If you see the water in the toilet rising but not quite to the point of overflowing, you may have a partial clog. The best solution for this problem is a plunger. "In this case, create suction and try to dislodge the clog," says Sokolowski. "Ensure your plunger's cup fully covers the drain opening for better results."
• Slow drainage: Slow-draining water is another sign of a partial clog. For this, Sokolowski suggests a plunger or a toilet auger. "If the water level in the toilet bowl rises and then slowly falls after flushing, it might indicate a clog deeper in the plumbing system," she says. In this case, contact a plumber with more powerful tools to clear the clog.
• Widespread drain issues: If you have plumbing trouble beyond your toilet, you may have a backup in your main sewer line. "In this situation, avoid using plumbing fixtures and contact a plumber immediately to prevent back-ups and potential damage," says Sokolowski.