How to Unclog a Toilet: Proven Methods

Toilet bowls are crucial in household sanitation and maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment. They are a large, lower base made from waterproof material that removes human waste from the home and holds fresh water to seal against sewer gasses entering the bathroom.

However, a clogged toilet bowl can easily become a frustrating and nightmare-ish experience. From extremely rotten smells to potential toilet overflowing, it is a problem that requires immediate attention. 

Luckily, you don’t always have to call your local professional plumbing services to fix the toilet bowl blockage. It is a problem that you can solve yourself. 

Continue reading our article on “how to unclog a toilet” to learn the simple and effective steps to ensure bathroom safety by saying goodbye to the clogged toilet bowl problem. 

What causes a clogged toilet bowl?

Before we dive into the “how to unclog a toilet” steps, let’s see some of the most common behind a clogged toilet bowl.

• Excessive toilet paper usage: Overloading the toilet bowl with too much toilet paper can lead to clogs.

• Foreign objects: Flushing non-flushable items such as paper towels, feminine hygiene products, or children's toys can cause blockages.

• Hard water deposits: Mineral deposits from hard water can accumulate in the toilet drain over time, restricting water flow.

• Flushing hygiene products: Flushing items like cotton swabs, dental floss, or baby wipes can contribute to clogs as they do not break down easily in water.

How to unclog a toilet

Before unclogging the toilet, gather the necessary tools and supplies, such as rubber gloves, a plunger, a bucket, hot water, and Harpic PowerPlus Original.  

1. Plunging the toilet 

A toilet plunger is an essential and popular go-to tool for unclogging toilets. Follow the steps below to unclog the toilet using a plunger:

1. Insert the toilet plunger into the toilet bowl, ensuring it covers the hole and fully submerges into the water so you can push and pull water through the opening, not air.

2. Push the plunger down gently, then pull it up sharply to distribute the clog and loosen it. 

3. Continue vigorously pushing and pulling until the water begins to drain. It can take 15 to 20 cycles before the toilet unclogs. 

4. Once the plugging drains the toilet bowl, add Harpic PowerPlus Original by putting its nozzle under the toilet bowl rim and squeeze the bottle gently.  It will help remove the toughest stains, dirt, dust, rust, limescale, and 99.9% bacteria and viruses.

5. Lastly, flush the toilet 2-4 times once to remove the blockage and impurities from the sewer system.

2. Using a toilet brush 

If there’s no plunger in sight, you can use a toilet brush with a precise angle and a firm grip to unclog the toilet. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Pick up a toilet brush with sturdy bristles. 

2. Insert the toilet plunger into the toilet bowl, ensuring it fully submerges into the water and covers the porthole of the toilet. 

3. Using moderate pressure, move the toilet brush back and forth inside the porthole, aiming to dislodge the obstruction. 

4. Rotate the brush and wiggle it back and forth to help break up the clog. 

5. Continue pushing, rotating, and wiggling the brush until you feel the blockage loosen.

6. Lastly, flush the toilet several times to remove the loosened obstructions from the sewer system. 

3. Making a drain cleaner 

If your toilet tends to clog easily from waste and not by hard obstructions like toys, using a combination of hot water and a reliable toilet bowl cleaner, such as Harpic PowerPlus Original, will often do the job as a drain cleaner. 

1. Boil half a gallon of water. It shouldn’t be hotter than normal hot tea because too much-boiling water can damage the porcelain. 

2. Add Harpic PowerPlus Original to the clogged toilet bowl by gently placing its nozzle under the rim and squeezing the bottle. It will help you loosen and dissolve the clog. 

3. Pour the hot water into the toilet bowl from near the rim. The force of the water falling into the bowl can help to clear the clog.

4. In the morning, the water should have drained. This homemade drain cleaner should successfully clear clogs caused by organic material.

FAQs

Will a toilet unclog over time? 

If it’s simply clogged from normal use, it will probably unclog over time as the waste and toilet paper dissolve. However, if the cause is a hard obstruction, it will stay clogged until you clear the toilet bowl blockage.  

What if the water level in the toilet bowl is too high to plunge?

If the water level in the toilet bowl is too high to plunge, turn off the water supply valve and use a bucket to remove excess water until it is low enough to plunge safely. 

Can flushing multiple times clear a toilet clog?

Flushing the toilet multiple times will release gallons of water into the toilet bowl, causing it to overflow. It is better to unclog the toilet using the instructions in this article and then flush the toilet bowl.