How to unclog a toilet without plunger

6 Ways You Can Unclog a Toilet Bowl Without a Plunger

Get things in working order with these mess-proof ideas.

1 / 7

Family Handyman

Plunger Alternative: Start With Dish Soap

As soon as the toilet clogs, learn how to unclog a toilet without a plunger and head to the kitchen and fetch some dish soap; the slippery soap should help lubricate the clogged pipe and allow the lodged debris slide down more easily. Pour about a half-cup into the toilet. If you haven’t got any dish soap on hand, chop a bar of soap into small chunks and drop the pieces into the toilet. And if none of these unconventional methods work to unclog your toilet, here’s our fool-proof guide for how to unclog a toilet. A $4.95 plunger and a handy toilet snake will make you the family hero!

2 / 7

Plus, Check Out the Best Toilet Paper for Your Plumbing

We tested toilet paper breakdown and this is what happened.

3 / 7

GWImages/Shutterstock

Add Hot Water

If dish soap alone doesn’t do the trick for how to unclog a toilet without a plunger, adding water might move things along. Fill a bucket with hot bath water (boiling water could cause a porcelain toilet to crack), and pour the water into  the toilet from waist level. The force of the water could dislodge whatever is causing the clog.

4 / 7

ndquang/Shutterstock

DIY a Drain Snake Using a Wire Hanger

A more severe blockage could require manually moving the item. To do this without a plunger, unravel a wire coat hanger until it’s straight. Push one end of the wire into the clogged area. Prod the debris until it becomes free and flows down the drain. Voila! Another way to unclog a toilet without a plunger.

5 / 7

Shutterstock/JPC-PROD

Plunger Alternative: Try This Mixture

As an alternative to using dish soap and no plunger, try this all-natural solution: Pour 1 cup baking soda and 2 cups vinegar into the toilet. Allow it fizz for a half hour. If clog doesn’t dissipate, try the hot water trick. And try not to be too grossed out—here are 16 genius cleaning hacks you’ll want to steal from professional house cleaners. 

6 / 7

iamshutter/Shutterstock

Use a Plastic Bottle to Create Water Pressure

Warning: This how to unclog a toilet without a plunger trick could get messy. Start by removing as much water from the toilet bowl as possible (you can do this by repeatedly filling a small container with toilet water and pouring the water into a bucket). Next, fill a large plastic bottle with warm water. Place your thumb over the top of the bottle, and fit the top end of the bottle into the outlet at the bottom of the toilet (you’ll want to wear rubber gloves for this step). Remove your thumb and squeeze the bottle so the water inside shoots down the pipe. The added pressure could dislodge whatever was causing the clog. Check out these 100 plumbing great goof and other scary stuff!

7 / 7

Plunger Alternative: Squirt Gun Toilet Drainer

When you’re repairing or replacing a toilet, you need to remove all the water. Simply shutting off the water supply and flushing won’t do it. A sponge works, but it’s kind of slow. So I use an old squirt gun to suck the water out and squirt it into a bucket, leaving just the last few drops to sponge out. — reader Dale Conklin