Sometimes, a toilet will seem to clog at the most inconvenient moment. Such as when you’ve just “dropped the kids off”, so to speak.
And — while no one enjoys unclogging a toilet — at some point, almost everyone will have to endure the hassle of doing so.
So if you’ve ever wondered how to unclog a toilet with poop still in it, this post is just for you! Here, we’ll cover the easiest and quickest ways to unclog a toilet without making a mess of your bathroom.
10 Ways to Unclog a Toilet With Poop Still in It
One of the quickest ways to unclog a toilet is to simply use a plumbing snake or a plunger. Both of these tools can unclog the toilet drain in a matter of minutes.
Not only can they work to break up the clog, they can also push it out so that the water can flow freely.
There are also a number of chemical agents and several everyday home products that you can use to help break down and dissolve the blockages in the toilet.
1. Plunger
If you’re looking for a fast way to unclog a toilet, you can’t go wrong with a plunger to start. Every home should have one just for this purpose.
To use the plunger, start by lifting the toilet seat to avoid splashing liquid and waste on top of it.
Next, place the toilet plunger inside the toilet bowl and cover the drain completely with the rubber end. Then, press the plunger into the toilet before gently releasing it to create suction.
You’ll want to be especially careful during this step, as you don’t want to splash a ton of contaminated water back on you. In fact, it helps to stand a few feet away from the plunger to prevent this from happening.
Also, be sure to wear rubber gloves before touching the plunger to avoid getting your hands dirty during the process.
If the water doesn’t start to flow after you release the plunger the first time, repeat the pressing motion a few times, as necessary. If it doesn’t unclog after about 4 to 10 attempts, you may need to move to another method.
Quick Tips to Prevent Toilet Clogs
The size and amount of solid waste in the bowl can definitely cause a clogged toilet. But, sometimes, toilet clogs will be caused by bad toilet-use habits.
Here are a few ways to avoid toilet clogs in the future:
- Try to use 1-ply toilet paper instead of 2-ply, as it’s thinner and less likely to create clogs
- Never flush contraceptives, sanitary products, wet wipes, or other non-biodegradable items
- Keep a trash can next to your toilet to encourage the proper disposal of everyday bathroom trash
- Be sure to never flush too much toilet paper down the toilet at once
- Always flush the toilet after every single use — don’t wait until you use it 2 or 3 times
Some clogs can be completely avoided by watching what you put in there.
2. Toilet Brush
In addition to a plunger, you should also have a toilet brush near your toilet. A toilet brush can be a handy tool to help break up solid waste and clear the toilet drain. It will also help clean the toilet bowl of any stains that remain after you flush the toilet.
To use your toilet brush for this task, start by donning a pair of rubber gloves and then place the brush inside the toilet. Next, press the broom section of the toilet brush down to gently break up the blockage.
Yes, this task is not for the faint of heart. However, it’s better than having the toilet overflow in your bathroom.
After breaking up the clog, take a plunger and make a couple of attempts to suction it out. If the water flows freely, you’re good to go!
3. Toilet Auger
A toilet auger can be used to fix a clogged toilet. First by breaking up the waist, and then using its snake-like mechanism to penetrate the drain to allow water to flow freely.. If you don’t own a toilet auger, no worries.
You can purchase this simple device from most home improvement stores or online. They’re fairly easy to use and typically cost no more than around $10 to $15.
To use the toilet auger to unclog your toilet, feed the metal end into the toilet as far as it will go, and then when you feel resistance, pull it out slightly. Keep repeating this process of pushing it in and out a few times to help break up the blockage and loosen the waste.
Then, after a few seconds, pull the toilet auger out and try to flush the toilet. Repeat this process as many times as it takes to break up and push out the clog.
Need a visual? See how it’s done here:
4. Clothes Hanger
Sometimes, you may be in bit of a pinch and completely without the tools needed to unclog a toilet. But don’t fret! You can use a wire clothes hanger if needed.
Who knew, right?
For this method, grab a wire clothes hanger and unwind it completely.
If you have trouble unwinding the hangar, take a pair of needle-nose pliers to help undo the bottom section from the hook. Next, feed one end (the end without the hook) into the toilet and turn it clockwise and counterclockwise for about 10 to 15 seconds.
Be sure to don a pair of rubber gloves beforehand to avoid dirty hands during this process. The hangar will work to break up the poop, which should eventually cause the clog to dissolve and flush down.
You’ll want to use a bit of caution with this method, as the wire hanger can easily scratch up the inside of your toilet bowl.
5. Hot Water and Dish Soap
Looking for less of a hands-on approach? Well, here’s a good one to consider… hot water and dish soap. The mixture of boiling water and the detergents in the dish soap work as an awesome combination for breaking up human-made clogs.
Yes, this may take a few minutes longer than others, but it’s just as effective.
For this method, head to the kitchen and pour about 6 cups of water into a pot. Let the water come to a boil and then pour 2 tablespoons of dish soap into the pot. Then, slowly and carefully pour the pot into the toilet bowl.
After pouring the hot water into the toilet, let it sit for about 5 to 7 minutes to soften up the poop. You should notice the waste starting to thin out and break up after a couple of minutes. Once it’s broken up significantly, try to flush the toilet.
Hopefully, the water will begin flowing down the drain by this time. But if it doesn’t, be sure to keep your plunger handy to avoid having it overflow onto your floor.
Keep in mind that you’ll only want to try this method once, as adding too much water can cause the toilet to overflow while it’s clogged.
6. Baking Soda and Plastic Foil (aka “Plastic Wrap”)
Another method that you may not be familiar with is the use of plastic foil and baking soda. Baking soda is really one of those household staples that can be used for various purposes, and it’s super-effective at dissolving poop that is causing a clogged toilet.
For this method, you’ll need a few cups of warm water. Raise the toilet seat and then pour about 3 to 6 cups of it into the toilet. Then, immediately add about one cup of baking soda.
You can also mix baking soda with water beforehand and then pour it into the toilet. After doing so, place a layer of plastic foil on top of the toilet bowl, as this will help to increase the effectiveness of the baking soda.
Let the baking soda sit in the toilet anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour if necessary. Try to frequently monitor it to see if the waste has broken up.
Once it’s completely broken up, take your plunger, give it one or two good plunges, and then flush the toilet. Keep your plunger close by for any extra assistance.
7. Coca-Cola and Plastic Foil
Coca-Cola is not only great for quenching your thirst on a warm summer day, but also for unclogging a toilet if you’re in a pinch. The phosphoric acid in this beverage is what makes it an especially effective de-clogging agent.
If you have any extra Coke cans or bottles around your home, here is a way to put them to use. Start by lifting the toilet bowl and then pouring a few cups of Coca-Cola into the toilet — anywhere from two to five cups should do.
Next, cover the toilet lid with plastic foil to help speed up the chemical process of the soda. Leave the Coca-Cola in the toilet between 10 minutes to an hour.
Afterward, take a look inside the bowl. You should notice that the waste is completely broken up. If you do, flush the toilet to see if this gets rid of the clog. And of course, have your plumber in-hand to prevent an overflow.
8. Household Bleach
Sometimes toilet clogs can also be removed by using everyday household bleach. If you’re still having trouble getting rid of the clog, try pouring two cups of bleach inside of the toilet bowl.
Before using this method, it’s best to open up a window or door to allow for a little ventilation in the bathroom — the smell can be a lot. Let the bleach sit in the bowl for about 10 to 15 minutes so that it has time to break down the clog, and then try flushing your toilet.
9. Hot Water and Shampoo
You may have never thought to use shampoo as a solution to get rid of a clogged toilet bowl, but you can. The lauryl sulfate and other surfactants found in most shampoos work wonderfully to dissolve waste — similar to how it works to break down oils and dirt from your hair.
Any everyday shampoo should work for this method. To start, pour 3 cups of hot water down the toilet bowl. You can use hot water straight from the tap or boil it on the stove.
Immediately after, pour about 8 to 10 oz of shampoo into the toilet bowl and let it sit there for about 15 to 30 minutes.
Check on the clog every 10 minutes or so to see if it has moved down the drain. If it has, flush the toilet repeatedly to get rid of any remaining waste. If it hasn’t, you may need to move on to a stronger chemical or on to another method.
10. Chemical Drain Cleaners
If you still can’t seem to get rid of the toilet clog, know that there are quite a few different commercial de-clogging options that you can purchase. Most can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement store.
These drainage-clearing agents contain reactive chemicals that cause the waste to disintegrate. If you prefer an all-natural approach, you can also use an enzyme-based drain cleaner, which is less harsh but just as effective.
Enzyme cleaners contain biodegradable enzymes to help break down the waste so that it liquefies.
If the clog is severe, these may be your best bet before calling a professional licensed plumber.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, poop clogged toilets can happen on occasion — it’s just a fact of life.
However, knowing the best methods to unclog them, such as utilizing plumbing snakes, plungers, chemicals, and baking soda, can save you time when it comes to fixing the problem.
So, if you find that your toilet becomes clogged while it still has poop in it, consider using one of the above-mentioned methods to help clear and remove the obstruction quickly and efficiently.