Last Updated on 15 July 2025 by Maelle
We rarely think about toilets until something goes wrong. When our toilet malfunctions or clogs, it can be more than a minor inconvenience, especially if we don’t have a plunger. Remember that a severely clogged toilet can completely interrupt your cleaning.
While unblocking is often as simple as unclogging the drain, you may need to run an auger through your pipes.
Furthermore, some clogs can be deep in the pipe or extremely difficult to remove, requiring professional help. To help you, tout-reparer.fr offers its guide: How to fix a clogged toilet in 15 minutes. Fortunately, these tips will help you unclog your toilet.
Repairing a toilet with a plunger
Although this tool may seem basic, it remains the best way to unclog a toilet. We recommend all households have this tool, preferably one with a flange, as it works best for unclogging toilets. When using this tool, you should place the plunger in the toilet bowl and push it down gently. The first push is simply to remove the air. Be careful not to push too hard, or you risk splashing yourself with dirty water.
Once you have a good seal, pump the plunger up and down forcefully while maintaining the seal. Finally, pull the tool up forcefully while breaking the air seal. You will notice water flowing down the drain. If this doesn’t clear the blockage, repeat the steps until the clog comes loose.
Vinegar and Baking Soda to Unclog a Toilet
When your toilet isn’t flushing and you don’t have a flush, you can turn to non-toxic household cleaning products: vinegar and baking soda. You probably know that vinegar and baking soda are very effective at cleaning many surfaces, that they act as excellent deodorizers, and that they help keep our pipes running smoothly. However, these household cleaning products are also effective when you need to fix a clogged toilet if you don’t have a flush. We recommend adding one cup of baking soda to your clogged toilet and waiting a few minutes. Then, slowly pour two cups of vinegar down the toilet. Vinegar and baking soda generally react to form bubbles, so be sure to pour carefully and slowly to prevent the toilet water from overflowing or splashing. Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit for a few minutes. You’ll need to flush the toilet to check if the clog has cleared. You may need to repeat this process until the clog comes loose. The clog will dissipate when your toilet makes a rapid sucking sound and will then flush naturally.
Unclog Your Toilet with Hot Water and Dish Soap Heat a gallon of hot water on the stove and pour a little dish soap down your toilet while the water is heating. When the water is extremely hot but not boiling, carefully pour it down the toilet. Wait 10 to 15 minutes while the dish soap and hot water soften the clog. Once you’ve done this, the toilet will unclog and flush freely. You can also use hot water and shampoo from the sink if you want to empty your toilet without leaving it.
Drainer to unclog your toilet For around 25 euros, you can purchase a drainer. You only need to buy it once and you’ll avoid using chemicals. You can slip on the handy device and then roll it up and down until you clear the blockage. Although this can be a bit messy, it’s better than using your hands. This method is particularly beneficial when the blockage is deeper than the bowl itself. If this method doesn’t work, try again and contact a drain cleaning specialist. Don’t use a coat hanger as a substitute, as it can seriously scratch the porcelain surface of the toilet bowl. Household Bleach for Your Toilet
Like soap, household bleach helps break down waste. The procedure is similar to that for dish soap. Simply replace the solid or liquid dish soap with 2 or 3 cups of bleach. After a minute or two, pour in a cup of powdered soap. Wait 10 to 15 minutes and flush the toilet. You’ll find this approach is more effective for very clogged toilets.
Unclog Your Toilet with an Auger
If your toilet is still clogged after using a plunger, try using a toilet auger or a toilet snake to reach down the drain and unclog the problem. The snake’s claw will break up whatever is clogging the drain, or pull the material upward, to push it out of the way.
Place the auger claw into the toilet drain. Turn the handle until the auger is firmly tightened, dislodging the clogged debris. Wait for the water to begin to drain. Slowly pull the auger back. If your toilet is still clogged, the problem may be more serious, and a professional can help.
A chronically clogged toilet is caused by a poor drainage system and should be examined by a professional plumber. If your toilet has been chronically clogged, it should be examined by a professional, as the problem may be more serious or caused by pipe damage. The entire team at
tout-reparer.fr
remains at your disposal in the comments section of the blog.
