When toilet paper gets stuck in the toilet, it can be frustrating trying to unclog it. Often, the first solution people think of is pouring something down the toilet to try to dissolve the toilet paper. However, you need to be very careful about what you put down your toilet, as many household chemicals can damage the toilet or plumbing pipes. Instead of making the situation worse, there are some safer methods to try first for dissolving toilet paper clogs.
Page Contents
Why Pouring Chemicals Down the Toilet is Risky
It’s understandable why someone’s first instinct might be to pour something like bleach, drain cleaner, or vinegar down the toilet to dissolve the clogged toilet paper. However, this can actually end up causing more problems than it solves:
- Chemicals like bleach or drain cleaner are very caustic and corrosive. They can damage the rubber and metal parts inside the toilet and pipes.
- The chemical reaction from mixing cleaners can produce toxic fumes that are dangerous to inhale.
- Chemicals may not fully dissolve thick clumps of toilet paper and instead just push the clog further down the pipes.
- Harsh chemicals dumped down drains can flow into the water supply and cause environmental damage.
Instead of taking these risks, start with some safer mechanical and water-based methods to try and clear the clog without damaging your plumbing.
Mechanical Methods to Remove Toilet Paper
Before resorting to any liquids, try some simple mechanical techniques to remove the stuck toilet paper:
- Use a toilet plunger – Plungers are very effective at dislodging objects stuck in toilet drains. Place the plunger over the drain hole and plunge vigorously several times to loosen the toilet paper. This uses force to push through the clog.
- Try an auger/snake – An auger is a long flexible rod you can insert into the toilet drain. Crank the handle to twist the auger and break up the clogged paper. Snaking the drain helps pull the paper out.
- Flush with hot water – Pour a few buckets of hot water quickly into the toilet bowl. The hot water can help soften and break down toilet paper. Repeat a few times while plunging.
Safest Household Liquids to Use
If mechanical methods don’t clear the clog, there are some household liquids that are generally safe to pour down the toilet:
- Warm water – As mentioned above, hot or warm water can help dissolve toilet paper. Boil some water and then carefully pour it into the toilet bowl.
- Salt water – Mix 1-2 cups of salt in a bucket of warm water until dissolved. Salt water is mildly corrosive and can break down paper.
- Baking soda and vinegar – Pour 1 cup baking soda down the toilet, followed by 1 cup white vinegar. The chemical reaction causes fizzing and bubbles that can dislodge clogs.
- Liquid dish soap – Squirt some dish soap down the drain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The soap helps lubricate pipes and break up paper.
Household Products You Should Not Use
While the above methods are generally safe for toilets, there are some household products you want to avoid:
- Drain cleaner chemicals – Products like Drano contain very caustic chemicals that can corrode pipes.
- Bleach or hydrogen peroxide – Never mix bleach or peroxide with other cleaning chemicals, as toxic fumes can result.
- Vinegar and baking soda – This combination can create a controlled explosion inside pipes that could damage them.
- Boiling water – Water above 140°F can crack the porcelain of your toilet bowl.
When to Call a Plumber
If you try the safe methods listed and they don’t resolve the clog, it’s best to call a professional plumber at that point. Continuing to pour products down the toilet can just exacerbate the problem. A plumber has commercial-grade tools to clear obstructions, such as:
- Powerful plumbing snakes that reach deep into pipes
- High-pressure water jetting to blast clogs apart
- Video inspection to visually locate the clog
Calling a plumber right away can often save money compared to damaging your plumbing trying DIY methods. Most plumbers offer emergency clog services and can respond quickly when needed.
Conclusion
When faced with a toilet clogged by toilet paper, avoid the instinct to pour harsh chemicals down the drain. They can react dangerously with other products and damage your toilet and pipes. For the safest results, start with mechanical methods like plunging and snaking. If that doesn’t work, try safer household liquids like hot water, salt water, baking soda and vinegar, or dish soap. Calling a plumber is recommended if DIY approaches fail to dissolve the toilet paper clog.
| Safe Products | Unsafe Products |
|---|---|
| Hot water | Drain cleaner chemicals |
| Salt water | Bleach |
| Baking soda and vinegar | Boiling water |
| Dish soap | Vinegar and baking soda |
Summary of Main Points
- Avoid pouring chemicals down the toilet to dissolve clogs, as this can damage plumbing.
- Try plunging, snaking, and hot water first to mechanically break up clogs.
- Salt water, baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap are safer liquids to attempt dissolving toilet paper.
- Calling a professional plumber is best if DIY methods don’t unclog the toilet.