If you find yourself in a situation where you have clogged a toilet at a friend’s house during March Madness and there is no plunger available, don’t panic. You can try to unclog the toilet using simple household items like dish soap, hot water, and a bucket. The key is to let chemistry do the work for you, without the need for a plunger. Make sure to gather these supplies and proceed with caution.
To unclog the toilet using the plunger-free method, start by getting hot water running in the sink or tub. Make sure the water is as hot as it can get without boiling. While waiting for the water to heat up, clear the area around the toilet to avoid any spills. The goal is to get the water in the toilet bowl as hot and soapy as possible without overflowing. Add soap directly to the toilet and then pour in hot water, or mix up the soap and water first before pouring it into the bowl swiftly.
Avoid stirring the toilet bowl to blend the hot, soapy water with the dirty water. Let osmosis take care of that process for you. If the clog doesn’t immediately dislodge, be patient and wait for the soap and hot water to work on breaking up the clog. Most toilet backups are not completely blocked, so there is a good chance that yours will drain slowly at first. Keep an eye on the water level and continue to add hot water as needed to help push the clog through.
If all else fails and the clog remains stubborn, give it more time. Close the bathroom door, walk away, and wait 30 to 60 minutes before checking on it again. Allow the hot, soapy water to continue working on breaking up the clog. If the problem persists even after this additional time, you may need to consider calling a plumber or heading to the hardware store for further assistance. However, with patience and the right household items, you can likely unclog the toilet without the need for a plunger.
