How to Unblock a Toilet: 5 Eco-Friendly Ways

We've all been there: You flush the toilet, and all of a sudden, the water starts to rise rather than drain away. You have a clog and need to unblock the toilet. 

Toilet clogs can cause flooding, unpleasant odors, and significant messes, so it's essential to address the problem as soon as possible. While they may be tempting, you should avoid chemical drain cleaners, which are harmful to the environment and are so caustic that they damage your home's plumbing. Instead, learn how to unblock a toilet in an eco-friendly manner. 

Why Eco-Friendly Methods Matter to Unblock Toilets

Eco-friendly clogged toilet solutions have several advantages. Harsh drain cleaner chemicals wind up in the environment, where they pollute water sources and damage aquatic life (and the birds and mammals that rely on that life for food). You're also not putting your health at risk: the fumes produced by chemical drain cleaners can be harmful when inhaled. 

Finally, eco-friendly solutions are gentler on your plumbing. Chemical drain cleaners can damage pipes and encourage corrosion, leading to costly future repairs. 

Hopefully, you know what led to the toilet clog. If you're unsure, learn about 3 common objects that cause a clogged toilet.

1. Hot Water and Dish Soap Method

Unless something went down the toilet drain that wasn’t supposed to end up there, the most likely culprit for a clogged toilet is excessive toilet paper (We rank Charmin flushability high, especially for septic systems). 

One of the first steps to fix a clogged toilet is the hot water and dish soap method. Here’s how to do it:

1. If the water level in the bowl is high, remove some of it with a bucket. 
2. Add ½  cup of dish soap to the toilet bowl. 
3. Fill a bucket with hot water and pour it slowly into the bowl. Warning: Do not use boiling water, which can crack the toilet bowl. 
4. Let the soapy water sit for 30 to 60 minutes to allow it to dissolve the clog. 
5. Flush and see if the toilet unclogs. If not, you can repeat the process or use a plunger. 

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction

Want to know how to unblock a badly blocked toilet with some simple (and eco-friendly) chemistry? Try the baking soda and vinegar trick! Baking soda is a base, and vinegar is a mild acid. When combined, they form carbon dioxide in a fizzy reaction that can dislodge clogs. 

To unblock a toilet with baking soda and vinegar, take the following steps: 

1. If the water level in the bowl is high, remove some of it with a bucket. 
2. Pour a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl. Try to distribute it around the bowl. 
3. Slowly add one or two cups of vinegar. The water in the bowl will fizz and foam. 
4. Allow the vinegar mix to sit in the bowl for at least 30 minutes or longer for an extremely clogged toilet. If the water level drops, that's great! It means the clog is breaking down. 
5. Pour a pot of hot (not boiling) water into the bowl to help move the clog and flush. 

One word of caution. Never mix baking soda and vinegar with chemical drain cleaners. Doing so can create dangerous gases that produce heat and pressure. In an enclosed container like a toilet bowl, the reaction can cause caustic chemicals to splatter out of the bowl or even result in a small explosion.

3. Use of an Eco-Friendly Toilet Auger

Plungers work well for minor clogs. For more stubborn clogs, consider using a toilet auger. Also known as a toilet snake, a toilet auger reaches deep into the toilet drain using a flexible rotating cable. Unlike standard drain snakes, a toilet auger has a protective sleeve to prevent scratches to the toilet bowl. To use a toilet auger:

1. Wear rubber gloves for hand protection.
2. Clear the area around the toilet and protect the floor with old towels or newspaper. 
3. Insert the auger cable carefully into the toilet bowl toward the drain opening.  
4. Slowly crank the auger handle clockwise to feed the cable into the drain. You’ll know when the auger reaches the clog because you’ll feel the resistance. 
5. Continue to turn the handle, pushing the auger forward to break up the clog using firm but not excessive force. You may need to use a push-and-pull motion to get the auger through the clog. 
6. When there is no resistance, rotate the auger handle counterclockwise to retract the cable. 
7. Flush the toilet to confirm that the clog has been removed. Repeat if necessary. 

Want to see a toilet auger in action? Check out How to Use a Drain Auger.

4. Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaners

Enzyme-based drain cleaners, such as Roto-Rooter® Pipe Shield®, use a natural blend of enzymes and bacteria to break down organic matter. Enzyme cleaners take longer to work than chemical cleaners, but they’re much gentler on the environment and can be used for preventive clog maintenance. 

5. Wet/Dry Vacuum Technique (Use With Caution)

It’s possible, in a pinch, to use a wet/dry vacuum to unblock a toilet. If you try this tactic, please exercise proper hygiene, both while clearing a clogged toilet and cleaning the vacuum afterward. 

1. Use the vacuum to suck most of the water out of the toilet bowl so there’s only a small amount left.
2. Wrap a rag or cold towel around the vacuum hose.
3. Insert the hose carefully into the toilet drain, using the rag to create as tight a seal as possible. 
4. Turn on the vacuum in suction mode. Hopefully, you’ll hear the clog dislodging.
5. Try flushing, and repeat if necessary. 
6. Sanitize the vacuum, toilet, and surrounding area. 

Honestly, if it’s reached the point where you're trying this trick, it’s probably best to call a plumber. In an emergency, however, a wet/dry vacuum can help unblock a toilet.

How to Prevent Future Toilet Clogs

• Only flush human waste and toilet paper.
• Don't overuse toilet paper. 
• Flush in stages if necessary.
• Clean toilets regularly.
• Regularly check the toilet’s flappers, flush valve, and fill tube for proper operation (this can also help fix a running toilet).

Need more advice? Check out Six Plumbing Tips to Help Avoid Toilet Clogs.

FAQs About Unblocking Toilets Naturally 

How to unblock a severely clogged toilet?

First, try to move the clog using a plunger, followed by a mix of baking soda and vinegar. Repeat if needed. If this fails, consider using a toilet auger or calling a plumber. 

Does pouring hot water in a toilet help unclog it?

A combination of hot (not water) and dish soap can loosen and dissolve a clog. Let the soapy water sit for at least 30 minutes. Never use boiling water, as it can crack porcelain toilet bowls.

What can you put down the toilet to unblock it?

The most common things used in toilets to remove clogs are soapy water, baking soda and vinegar, or enzyme cleaners. Chemical drain cleaners also work, but they can damage the environment and cause injury if not used according to the manufacturer's instructions. 

How to unblock a toilet without a plunger?

The most effective way to unblock a toilet without a plunger is to use a specialized toilet auger, which reaches deeper into the drain than a plunger. Toilet bowl cleaners or mops have been used in emergencies, although you’ll need to replace the mop head afterward. Some people have success using wire hangers to break up clogs, although doing so can scratch the inside of the toilet bowl (and if you lose the hanger down the drain, you're going to need help from a professional plumber).

DIY Not Working? Call Roto-Rooter!

Natural, chemical-free tricks to unclog a toilet benefit the environment, your plumbing, and your health. You can try these tricks to unclog a toilet quickly and easily: when one doesn't work, another often does. And for those extremely clogged toilets that require a professional touch, there’s always Roto-Rooter!