Squirt a generous amount (half a cup) of liquid dish soap into the bowl. Let it sit for 10 minutes. The soap acts as a lubricant, sliding past the clog. Follow it up with a bucket of hot (not boiling) water poured from waist height. The gravity and pressure often clear the jam.
While drain cleaner is a staple for shower drains and kitchen sinks, using it in a toilet is a different beast entirely. In fact, it is one of the few DIY plumbing moves that can turn a $10 problem into a $5,000 disaster. drain cleaner for blocked toilet
Toilet clogs are usually (and sometimes "flushable" wipes, which are a lie). Drain cleaners are designed to dissolve hair and grease . They are not particularly good at dissolving a wad of wet paper or a foreign object like a toy or a cotton swab. Squirt a generous amount (half a cup) of
The chemical sits on top of the solid mass, fizzes a bit, and then just sits there. You have now replaced a mechanical clog with a chemical-and-waste-soup clog. Think about the ergonomics of a toilet. You have to lean over a bowl of standing water to pour a chemical in. If that chemical hits the water and reacts violently, or if the plunger slips, you risk splashing lye or acid onto your skin, eyes, or clothes. These burns happen instantly and are severe. Plumbers have horror stories about rushed ER visits caused by DIY drain cleaner mishaps. You Become a Hazard to Your Plumber Let’s say you try the chemical, it doesn’t work, and you finally call a professional plumber (which you should have done first). The plumber will arrive with a heavy-duty snake or a hydro-jetter. Follow it up with a bucket of hot
For $20-$30 at a hardware store, you can buy a toilet auger. It is a flexible rod with a protective rubber sleeve that won't scratch the porcelain. You crank it into the trap way to physically grab or push the clog through. This is the gold standard for DIY toilet repair.
Save the chemicals for the sink. Save your porcelain (and your plumber’s good graces). Grab the plunger, buy an auger, or pick up the phone. Your bathroom will thank you. Have you ever made the mistake of using drain cleaner in a toilet? Tell us about the aftermath in the comments below.