An Easy Way To Unclog Your Toilet In A Pinch Is Already In Your Kitchen Cabinet

The only thing more frustrating in life than having a clogged toilet is realizing you've got no plunger. Panic can set in as you watch toilet water rise to levels that are dangerously close to the rim. If every makeshift tool fails, you might worry that you will either need to call a plumber or make a trip to the store to buy a plunger. There may be no need to panic or leave the house to buy anything, though. There's something you probably already have in your kitchen cabinet that could be the solution to your clogged toilet. Plastic wrap, like the kind you use for covering food for refrigerator storage, can be used to easily unclog a toilet when a plunger isn't available. Though this hack has been making its rounds on social media, it's not just hype. It can actually work on light clogs. The clog-busting trick involves wrapping sheets of plastic wrap over the rim of your toilet bowl and pushing down to create a plunging effect.

All you need for this toilet unclogging idea is a pair of rubber gloves and a few sheets of plastic wrap. Additionally, if the water level is rising in your clogged toilet or it's already overflowing, you will need a cup you don't mind never using again, as well as a bucket to contain the excess water. This hack is so easy that you might be surprised at how effective it is.

Before getting started, if needed, scoop out the excess water into a bucket using your cup. If your toilet rim is wet, go ahead and dry it to ensure the plastic wrap will cling to it. Then, stretch several pieces of plastic wrap over the rim of your commode to create an airtight seal. When you've got it all wrapped up, press down on the wrap. Since the air cannot escape from the top of the bowl, it will be pushed down into the siphon jet (the hole in the bottom of the toilet bowl). If the water doesn't start going down the siphon jet, you may need to flush the toilet and press on the plastic wrap again. When the clog is gone, discard the plastic wrap and clean your supplies, as well as any area around your toilet that was soiled.

If, after flushing and pressing on the plastic wrap a second time, your toilet is still clogged, you will have to try other methods. A toilet auger is an effective tool for removing clogs, but if you don't have a plunger, there's a fair chance you also don't have an auger. If this is the case, you can use dish soap to help lubricate the clog so it can move through. Pouring hot (not boiling) water into your bowl can also help.

While this hack can work, since plastic wrap is not nearly as strong as a solid rubber plunger, it will not be useful for every type of clog. Additionally, it can be a great solution in a pinch, but it doesn't replace a plunger in the long term. Since letting clogs sit for an extended period can lead to other plumbing issues (like toilet water backing up into showers and sinks) whether this hack works or not, you should invest in a plunger.

The best advice is to prevent clogs in the first place, though. The most common cause of clogs is the use of excessive amounts of toilet paper. Too much toilet paper can not only clog your toilet but can also clog the sewer line. The average amount of four to 10 sheets of toilet paper per flush should be able to dissolve and flow through the plumbing just fine, but if someone is loading up the toilet with an excess of that amount, you might be at risk for clogs. Flushing twice, using a higher-quality bathroom tissue (so you won't have to use as much), and folding the tissue are ways to use less. Not flushing anything but human waste and toilet paper is another way to prevent clogs. Even flushing tissues down the toilet can cause clogs. Closing the lid so things don't fall into the bowl is another step you can take.