Can you make a makeshift toilet plunger?

Having a clogged toilet is never a pleasant experience. When faced with this issue, most people reach for a plunger to try and resolve it quickly. However, if you find yourself without a plunger on hand, you may wonder if it’s possible to make a DIY version instead. The good news is that in many cases, you can create a makeshift toilet plunger using common household items.

Why You May Need a Makeshift Plunger

There are a few reasons why you may need to improvise a toilet plunger rather than using a store-bought one:

• You don’t own a plunger – If you’ve never dealt with a clog before, you may not have a plunger in your home.
• Your plunger is missing or broken – Even if you had a plunger, it may have gone missing or broken at the worst possible time.
• The clog is too big for a regular plunger – Sometimes a standard sink plunger just isn’t enough suction power to clear a stubborn clog.
• You need a plunger for a different sized toilet – A regular household plunger may not form a tight enough seal on some toilets like compact or elongated models.

In situations like these, getting creative and making a DIY plunging solution can help you quickly and affordably address the clog until you’re able to replace your plunger.

Materials Needed

Many common household items can be repurposed to create a makeshift toilet plunger:

• Plastic bottle – A large plastic soda or water bottle works best. You want one with a tapered bottom and sturdy plastic that won’t easily compress or crack.
• Duct tape or packing tape – This is used to tightly seal the bottle’s open end.
• Stick or dowel – A strong wooden stick, broom handle, mop handle or similar cylindrical object is needed as the handle for plunging.
• Scissors or utility knife – This is to cut holes in the plastic bottle.
• Rubber gloves – Wearing gloves protects your hands from dirty water.
• Towels – Spread towels around the base of the toilet to soak up any splashes.

If you don’t have all of these items available, you can still improvise. For example, sturdy plastic bags, a toilet brush handle or a wooden spoon can be used if needed.

How to Make a Makeshift Toilet Plunger

Follow these steps to assemble a makeshift plunger at home:

1. Rinse out a 1-2 liter plastic bottle and remove any labels. Allow it to dry fully.
2. Use scissors to cut a large hole in the center of the bottle’s bottom. Make it about 2-3 inches wide – large enough to allow waste to flow through freely.
3. Make a second small hole in the bottle’s side, closer to the tapered bottom. This will allow air to escape and improve suction.
4. Seal the bottle’s open mouth completely with duct tape or packing tape. Wrapping it several times around the rim provides a tight seal.
5. Insert your wooden handle firmly into the bottle’s mouth at least a few inches deep to make a snug fit. The handle length depends on your toilet’s depth – aim for roughly 1 foot long.
6. Hold the handle through the bottle firmly with both hands to operate the makeshift plunger up and down.
7. Position the plastic bottle bottom over the drain hole inside your toilet bowl.
8. Plunge vigorously 10-15 times in a row before lifting the plunger to allow built-up pressure to release.
9. Repeat the rapid plunging and release steps multiple times until the clog is cleared.
10. Flush the toilet to test water drainage after plunging – repeat if needed.

Be sure to continue plunging forcefully – the makeshift DIY plunger requires more effort than a standard rubber plunger. Check the drainage after each round of plunging and avoid plunging too much to prevent toilet overflows.

Tips for Successful Makeshift Plunging

Follow these tips to get the best results from your homemade toilet plunger:

• Use a tapered bottle to form a tight seal over drain – soda bottles work better than cylindrical bottles.
• Cut drainage holes properly – too small and they won’t allow waste flow, too large reduces suction.
• Tape the bottle mouth securely – any air gaps will lower plunging effectiveness.
• Match handle length to toilet depth – aim for 1 foot of handle in the bottle for leverage.
• Position the bottle hole directly over drain – sealing the rim around drain prevents air and water escaping.
• Plunge vigorously and rapidly – makeshift plungers need extra force for suction.
• Check drainage regularly – don’t overplunge once water starts flowing normally.

It can take some trial and error to get the sizing and angles right for an improvised plunger on your specific toilet. Be prepared to adjust the bottle or handle as needed to improve the seal and suction power.

Effectiveness of Makeshift Plungers

Can a DIY toilet plunger unclog as effectively as a real plunger? Here is how they compare:

• A makeshift plunger requires more physical effort to operate due to the rigid plastic and handle.
• The seal may not be as tight and airtight as a real plunger’s flexible rubber cup.
• Drainage holes in plastic don’t provide as much suction power on the clog.
• Plunging force can be weaker and less controlled depending on the handle.
• It may take more plunging strokes to clear stubborn clogs vs. a standard plunger.

While less efficient, a DIY plunger can still generate enough suction and force to dislodge minor to moderate toilet clogs. Severe clogs may prove too challenging for a makeshift plunger to resolve fully. But it can still help loosen a clog until you’re able to use a real plunger or call a plumber.

Advantages of Makeshift Plungers

Here are some benefits that makeshift toilet plungers have over commercial ones:

• They can be made for free using items around the house.
• You can customize the size and shape to fit different toilet types.
• No need to store a bulky plunger permanently in your bathroom.
• It’s a quick emergency solution when your plunger goes missing.
• They provide an extra suction force option for severe clog situations.
• Makeshift plungers are disposable and don’t require cleaning after use.

While DIY toilet plungers shouldn’t replace having a real plunger on hand, they can be an effective alternative in a pinch. They offer a good temporary solution at no cost until you’re able to purchase a standard plunger.

Best Materials for Makeshift Plungers

You can create a makeshift toilet plunger out of all kinds of household items. However, some materials make more effective DIY plunging tools than others.

Here are the best household items to use to make an improvised toilet plunger:

Material	Reasons Why It Works Well
Plastic soda/water bottles	Sturdy and flexible plastic Smooth surface creates tight seal Tapered shape fits toilet drain
Funnels	Rubber construction flexes to seal Cone shape provides suction
Sports balls	Seal around drain well when deflated Withstand forceful plunging motion
Plungers without handles	Designed specifically for plunging Flexible rubber creates tight seal

Plastic bottles, funnels and sports balls allow you to form a tight seal over the drain hole while withstanding vigorous plunging. Handle-less plunger heads also work very well if you have the rubber cup but a missing or broken handle.

Materials to Avoid

On the other hand, some household items are ineffective or even counterproductive for DIY plunging:

• Plastic bags – Too flimsy and prone to tearing.
• Wire mesh funnels – Drainage holes prevent suction.
• Wood – Absorbs water and lacks a tight seal.
• Glass – Dangerous if it shatters while plunging.
• Square/cylindrical bottles – Poor seal around drain.

Aim for flexible materials that form a tight seal without allowing air and water to escape around the edges. Flimsy, rigid or porous materials reduce the plunging effectiveness.

Storing a Makeshift Plunger

Once you’ve created a makeshift toilet plunger, you’ll need to store it properly between uses:

• Dry it thoroughly – Make sure no moisture is trapped inside before storage.
• Store upright – This prevents the plunger’s base from flattening or warping.
• Protect the handle tip – Insert a plastic bag or cap over the end.
• Keep out of sunlight – Ultraviolet light can degrade plastic over time.
• Designate a storage spot – Keep it easily accessible for toilet emergencies.

Proper storage will extend the lifespan of your improvised plunger. Just be sure to replace it if the plastic shows any signs of cracking over time.

Disposing of a Makeshift Plunger

When it’s time to get rid of your makeshift toilet plunger, follow these recommended disposal methods:

• If used heavily, wear gloves when handling for sanitary reasons.
• Rinse the plunger thoroughly with disinfectant to sanitize.
• The plastic bottle can be recycled normally if not worn out.
• Throw away if the plastic is cracked, warped or has holes.
• You may need to cut the bottle to fit certain recycling bins.
• Discard the handle if it’s wood, as this can’t be recycled.

Proper cleaning and disposal helps protect the health of your family and the environment. Remember that makeshift plungers are designed as temporary solutions and should be replaced as needed.

Alternatives to Makeshift Plungers

While makeshift plungers are one DIY solution for unclogging toilets, you can also try these other handy methods:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the toilet followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for 10-15 minutes before flushing.

Dish Soap

Squirt a generous amount of dish soap into the toilet and let it sit overnight before flushing.

Hot Water

Boil a large pot of water and pour it directly into the toilet bowl to help break up the clog.

Wire Coat Hanger

Unbend a coat hanger and use the hook end to manually dislodge the clog.

Simple ingredients like baking soda and dish soap can help loosen minor toilet clogs without plunging. For severe clogs, call a professional plumber for the best drain clearing results.

Conclusion

While a commercial plunger is always the most effective tool, it’s good to know you can create a makeshift plunger in a pinch using common household items. Plastic bottles, funnels, sports balls and other improvised materials can temporarily unclog a toilet when paired with a wooden handle.

DIY toilet plungers require more force and repeated plunging to clear drains. But they can still generate enough suction for minor to moderate clogs. Just be sure to make adjustments for a tight seal and proper suction holes. And replace your homemade plunger regularly for best results.

Keep these tips in mind, and a makeshift plunger can be a quick, inexpensive way to get your toilet functioning again until you’re able to replace your standard plunger.