Liquid Plumber is a jelly-type liquid that works amazingly well at clearing the drains in vanity units, bathtubs, showers, and kitchen sinks. Toilet clogs can be cleared in a number of ways. In this article, I will cover whether Liquid Plumber can be used to unclog a toilet.
As a general rule, it is not safe to use Liquid Plumber to unclog a toilet. According to the official Liquid Plumber website they state not to use Liquid Plumber in a toilet. They also state that it is ineffective in removing clogs in a toilet.
Based on the information on the official Liquid Plumber website it’s clear that Liquid Plumber is only designed to be used in drains but not the toilet. Luckily, there are some home remedies that work particularly well to clean a clog in a toilet. Below, I will explain the best way to clear a clogged toilet and some other cleaners like Liquid Plumber that can be used.
Is There Something Like Liquid Plumber or Draino for Toilets
In general, there are a few products on the market that can work. However, it is a bit hit and miss. Some people claim that they work amazingly well. Whereas, others find it does nothing.
For example, there is a reasonably well-known drain cleaner called Green Gobbler, and they state that it works well the clear toilets. There are also, multiple videos online that show it makes light work of clogs. However, in a range of independent tests, they don’t work at all.
For this reason, I can’t recommend any toilet cleaner like Liquid Plumber or Draino for toilets. The best thing to try is dishwashing liquid. In fact, if dishwashing liquid doesn’t work then it’s likely there is a more serious issue with your plumbing.
I explained in detail how much dishwashing liquid to use, and how to use it to unclog a toilet in this article about why you should put dish soap in a toilet.
Provided, you’ve followed the instructions and the clog still hasn’t cleared then plumbers recommend you should use a plunger, and if a plunger doesn’t work you should use a plumbers snake, also called a toilet auger.
These cost around $10, and mechanically removes a clog. If a toilet auger isn’t working then it’s best to call a plumber. The reasons are there can be:
- A child’s toy or something else that is plastic, or metal that is lodged in the toilet
- There is a big wad of disposable wipes or tampons stuck in the toilet
- The sewage pipes have rusted and are clogged with rust
- A tree root has grown into the pipe
If a plumber inspects your toilet they can make a decision about what to do next. Based on their experience they can decide it’s best to use a camera to see what the clog is. This is typically the most efficient way.
According to virtually all plumbers, another thing they might do is dig where the sewage pipes connect to the municipal wastewater. They can ascertain if tree roots have grown into the pipes, the pipes have cracked because of an earthquake, or if the pipes are cast iron pipes that have rusted closed (source).
The easiest way to unclog a toilet
In general, the best and easiest way to unclog a toilet is to grab a plunger. It will remove most clogs. If you don’t have a plunger then you can use the dish soap method. Using dish soap will also make it easier to clear a clog using a plunger. The reason is it acts like a lubricant which will cause the clog to pass more easily.
How To Unclog a Toilet When a Plunger Doesn’t Work
You can try waiting for the water level in a clogged toilet to go down, then flush it a few times. With a bit of luck it will clear but if it doesn’t then a plunger is the next thing to try. However, if a plunger doesn’t work here’s what you should use to unclog a toilet.
Overall, plumbers recommend using a toilet snake also called a toilet auger to unclog a toilet when a plunger doesn’t work. These are very inexpensive and are available at hardware stores, and online. If that doesn’t work, then there is a more serious issue that requires a plumber.
This can be tree roots growing into the sewage pipe, a foreign object like a child’s toy, pair of glasses, or disposable wipes. A toilet snake does a good job at removing poop, toilet paper, and sometimes disposable wipes.
The design of it will drill into a clog, breaking it up. However, if there are a lot of disposable wipes or tampons, these can require much more work, and may require the pipe to be opened and cleared.
What Product Can I Use To Unclog a Toilet
A clogged toilet can be caused for a range of reasons. But, there are various products on the market that help with clogged drains. So, what product can be used to unclog a toilet?
As a general rule, use dish soap to unclog a toilet. It has been found to work very well, is inexpensive, and it’s very likely you already have some in your home. Other drain cleaning products can work, but, some are not suitable for toilets. The method for how to use dish soap is explained below.
Remove as much of the water out of the bowl as you can, then pour about 1 gallon of hot but not boiling water into the toilet bowl. Then add half a cup of dish soap. Dish soap is heavier than water and will sink to the bottom of the bowl.
After that, it should be left for a minimum of 30 minutes. The hot water will soften any blockage that can be softened. After that flush the toilet and with a bit of luck the clog will clear. If nothing else, it will help loosen it a bit to make it easier to use a plunger.
Amos Christen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Drexel University — Philadelphia, PA. Since 2003, Amos has worked with top interior design professionals in this area, including architects and interior/graphic/lighting designers. As a skilled interior designer, Amos Christen is highly versed in fine arts and crafts and uses that to supplement his main area of expertise. He often publishes articles related to home décor on several websites, including Sprucetoilets.com, Sprucebathroom.com, and Mybesuitedhome.com. He also contributes to leading interior design magazines.