How to Unclog a Toilet: Proven Methods

A toilet is an essential sanitary fixture in any bathroom, silently doing the crucial job of safely disposing of waste and helping to prevent the spread of germs and illness. Yet, despite its importance, it often goes unnoticed—until something goes wrong.

And few things feel more inconvenient (or unpleasant) than a clogged toilet. Whether at home, in the office, or somewhere unfamiliar, a blocked or nearly overflowing toilet bowl always seems to happen at the worst possible moment.

The good news? With the right approach, unclogging a toilet doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A few proven methods can help clear blockages quickly and get things flowing smoothly again, so you can restore a clean, fresh, and hygienic bathroom.

Read on to discover how to unclog a toilet bowl easily, and what steps you can take to keep it hygienic and free from unpleasant odours.

Reasons for a clogged toilet bowl

Before we discuss the best ways to clear clogged toilets, let’s examine the three common causes of this plumbing problem.

1. Toilet paper

This is the most common reason but often the easiest one to deal with. Even though toilet paper is designed to be soluble, flushing too much at once may result in a clogged toilet bowl. 

When too much toilet paper is flushed at once, it may not dissolve properly. Instead, it can clump together and create a buildup inside your pipes, often combining with dirt and debris that are already there. 

2. Non-flushable items

Toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper, but not much else. Flushing non-flushable items can quickly lead to clogs, increase the risk of germs spreading, contaminate the water system, and even cause long-term environmental damage.

Some of the most common non-flushable items include:

• Feminine/menstrual products
• Diaper or napkins 
• Baby wipes 
• Makeup wipes
• Tissues
• Paper towels
• Cotton balls/Q-tips
• Dental floss
• Hair from your brush/razor
• Food and beverage items
• Cooking grease

Blocked toilet trap

The third common cause of a clogged toilet is a blocked toilet trap (the S- or P-shaped section of the bowl that you see from the side). The trap prevents items from flowing further down the drain line and clogging the main sewer line. 

Sometimes, the toilet trap is partially blocked, causing the water to drain out more slowly than usual. Eventually, partial clogs will result in a total blockage, leading to an overflowing toilet. 

How to unclog a toilet

Before you can deal with a blocked toilet, ensure that you have gathered the necessary cleaning tools and supplies, such as rubber gloves, a plunger, a bucket, hot water, and Lysol^® Disinfectant Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Power for cleaning afterwards.

Plunging the toilet

A toilet plunger is the typical go-to tool for unclogging toilets. Heavy-duty plungers with either ball-shaped heads or rubber flanges on the bottom are much more effective than conventional suction cup-shaped plungers.

1. Ensure the toilet bowl contains enough water to submerge the head of the plunger entirely.
2. Place the plunger firmly over the hole in the toilet bowl, ensuring it covers it completely and fully submerges into the water. This will allow you to push and pull water through the opening, not air.
3. Maintain a seal and plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under the water level and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke until the water begins to drain. 
4. Patience is the key. The process of plunging may take 15 to 20 plunge cycles before the clog begins to loosen. 
5. Flush to see if the clog has cleared. If not, repeat the steps 3, 4, and 5.
6. Once the plunging drains the toilet bowl, apply Lysol^® Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Power by placing its nozzle under the rim and squeezing the bottle gently. Its maximum bowl coverage with 10X cleaning power dissolves hard water stains, rust stains, and mineral deposits and kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria*.
7. Lastly, flush the toilet 2-4 times once to remove the cleaning solution, impurities, and the blockage from the sewer system.

Always clean the plunger before storing it. Rinse it thoroughly with hot water to remove residue, then you can spray it with Lysol^® Disinfectant Spray to kill 99.99% of viruses and bacteria^*.

2. Creating a toilet snake

If the plunging doesn’t work, use a toilet snake, also called toilet auger. 

This option includes a flexible coil of wire designed to extend into pipes and clear obstructions without damaging the plumbing. 

1. Insert one end of the cable into the drain hole, avoiding touching the porcelain as much as possible to prevent permanently scratching its surface.
2. Move the handle clockwise and push the auger until you catch or break the blockage or obstruction so it can be flushed. 
3. If you catch the obstruction, pull out the auger.
4. Clean the auger by thoroughly rinsing it with hot water and once dry, you may also spray it with Lysol^® Disinfectant Spray, which kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria^*.

3. Boiled water flush

High-temperature water can be used as another solution for clogged toilets. It can help clear clogs because the heat can melt and loosen substances like dirt, soap scum, and mineral deposits that often contribute to blockages in drains. 

The hot water makes the drain substances more fluid and easier to flush away with the water flow. This is due to the increased solubility of certain minerals, which allows them to dissolve more readily. 

1. Heat up a large pot or tea kettle with water and boil it on the stove. 
2. Make sure you have enough water to flush down the drain completely in three to four stages.
3. Slowly pour the water up to an inch below the rim to avoid flooding.
4. Let the water sit for a few minutes to push and dissolve the clog at hand. 
5. Flush the toilet bowl a couple of times to dislodge the blockage and unblock the toilet. 

^*When used as directed.

FAQs

Should I turn off the water before trying to unclog my toilet?

Yes, it is a good idea to turn off the water supply to your toilet before attempting to unclog it. This prevents the bowl from overflowing. Locate the shut-off valve, typically located behind the toilet, and rotate it clockwise to turn off the water supply. 

How can I prevent toilet clogs in the first place?

To prevent toilet clogs, practice proper flushing habits, such as:

1. Avoid flushing anything other than human waste down the toilet.
2. Using double flush when necessary.
3. Keeping the toilet lid close to prevent accidental debris from falling in. 

How do germs build up in a clogged toilet?

Clogs trap waste, water, and debris, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and germs to multiply. Regular cleaning and disinfecting with trusted products helps prevent the spread of harmful germs and keeps your toilet hygienic.

Do toilet clogs ever go away on their own?

Toilet clogs can sometimes go away on their own, but only if they are caused by water-soluble materials such as toilet paper or feces.

How can I keep my toilet smelling fresh?

To maintain a fresh-smelling toilet, clean and disinfect regularly, especially around clogs or slow drains. Using products like Lysol^® Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Power, will help leave the entire toilet deodorized with a fresh scent.