Poop Clogged Toilet Guide (4 Tricks)

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A poop-clogged toilet is one of the most common bathroom problems. We’ve all dealt with it, or had another unlucky soul do it for us, at one point or another. While the situation may not feel lucky, there is a silver lining.

If the clog was caused by a foreign object, not poop, you might’ve had a bigger problem on your hands. But most of the time poop and organic waste can be broken down much easier.

In today’s guide, we are going to show you some of the easiest DIY tricks and methods to dissolve poop clogging your toilet.

Clearing a Poop Toilet Clog – 4 Methods

Here are the top 4 approaches to clearing your toilet, from helpful tools to DIY non-toxic chemical solutions:

1. Using a Plunger (Typical Approach)

The plunger is a necessity in any home. A plunger can get you out of a lot of sticky situations and it’s one of the easiest ways to unclog a toilet.

There are a few different types of plungers but you’ll want to look for a toilet plunger with a flange (see below). Other plungers, flange-less toilet plungers, will still work but won’t be the most suitable. The benefit of a flange plunger is the way it securely fits into the drain and ensures an air-tight seal for the most effective plunge.

Follow these key steps for a perfect plunge:

  1. To prepare, throw on some old clothes, put some newspaper or towels on the floor around the toilet, and make sure that the water-level isn’t too high.
  2. Next, completely submerge the plunger, neatly cover the drain hole, and pump the plunger up and down vigorously for about ten seconds. If you push or pull too hard it could result in dirty water splashing all over the floor, so be careful.
  3. Repeat this process a couple of times to build pressure and then pull the plunger sharply to break the vacuum and loosen the clog. You should notice the water start to drain out.
  4. Give it a flush! If everything is working smoothly then you can pack your plunger away again. If not, you might need to try one of our other methods.

If you’d like a more detailed plunging walkthrough then head over to this helpful article where we really get into it.

2. Vinegar And Baking Soda (Natural Dissolve Approach)

Most of the time a plunger can do a decent job unclogging the toilet, but when this method doesn’t work, the classic duo of baking soda and vinegar is a great non-toxic approach. These two ingredients are easy to find in your kitchen and won’t harm you or your drain. And let’s face it, what doesn’t baking soda and vinegar fix? Water stains, mildew in laundry, rust. They do it all.

In the bathroom this combination is used to clean surfaces, fight greasy or clogged drains, and deodorize. The method itself is pretty simple:

  1. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda into the toilet.
  2. Wait for a few minutes and let the solution sit.
  3. Then pour a cup of vinegar into the bowl. It’s important that the baking soda to vinegar ratio is equal.
    1. If you’re feeling fiery, now’s the time to add some red food coloring! Granted, a toilet isn’t a volcano, but there’s nothing stopping you if you feel like strolling down memory lane.
  4. Wait again for the mixture to create a fizzy chemical reaction. Let it permeate the clog and sink in for around twenty minutes. The clog is busy loosening during this time.
  5. Finally,  flush the toilet! This test flush will confirm that your chemical concoction has worked and the waste has been removed.

3. Hot Water And Detergent (Another Natural Dissolve Approach)

Another successful combination is hot water and detergent. Just like baking soda and vinegar, these are easy-to-find household items and the unclogging process is very simple.

  1. First, boil 1.5 gallons of water. While the water is boiling, pour some detergent into the toilet bowl. If you can’t find any detergent, you can use dishwashing liquid. Or find any bar of soap, slice it into tiny pieces and throw those into the bowl.
  2. Once the water is ready, start pouring carefully into the bowl.
  3. Let the detergent and hot water sit for at least 20 minutes.
  4. Finally, flush the toilet to see if you were successful!

3. Using A Toilet Auger (When All Else Fails Approach)

A toilet auger, or toilet snake, is another very popular tool used for unclogging toilets. However, we really recommend you first try using a plunger for less severe clogs. A toilet auger is a more serious tool mostly used for serious clogs where a plunger just doesn’t cut it.

This tool consists of a few parts, including a medium-sized cable that is designed to snake through the drain and break down any type of clog. The cable is isolated in a hollow tube which is covered by soft rubber so the auger won’t damage or scratch the toilet bowl. If you want to learn more about augers check out another of our helpful articles.

When you get down to using your auger, there are just five simple steps to follow:

  1. Insert the auger into the drain.
  2. Turn the toilet snake in a clockwise motion, pushing it deeper into the drain. Crank the handle until the whole cable has made it through.
  3. Slowly remove the toilet auger, this time turning the handle counterclockwise. This retraction will pull or break up the clog.
  4. When the cable has retracted fully then the clog has been successfully removed. The water level should return to normal.
  5. Perform a test flush to make sure everything’s flowing smoothly and clean up whatever mess might’ve been made.

A Few Words In The End

There’s more than one simple method to unclog a toilet. We recommend trying each of the above as needed – you can also try multiple options on the same clog if you don’t come right.

If you have a very severe clog and none of the methods above work, we recommend you call a plumber. But for your typical clogs, these methods will take care of your toilet troubles. You’ll be on your way in no time!