# If Drano won't unclog a toilet, what (other than a plunger) will? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 29, 2008, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498 "2008-01-29T20:59:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/21 "2008-01-30T03:09:07Z")
[QUOTE=Lily] Dish soap will unclog a toilet of any human made blockages. Put a couple good squirts in, let it sit for 20 minutes to let the soap dissolve the solids, and start in with the plunger. Works like a charm, even on my husband’s most dedicated efforts. You know, there were aspects of marriage I failed to consider before the wedding. [/QUOTE] I didn’t know this was actually possible, unless you didn’t flush for a week. ---
**Author:** ![Lily](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@Lily](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lily)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/22 "2008-01-30T03:26:43Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] I didn’t know this was actually possible, unless you didn’t flush for a week. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I was surprised too. Makes a lot of bubbles, but it has always worked when just the plunger wouldn’t. And I have no idea if it would work on paper towels. I kind of doubt it, unless you were willing to let it sit for a couple days. Easier to just get a drain snake. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/23 "2008-01-30T03:31:21Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Does anybody know **why** you’re not supposed to pour Drano down a toilet? [/QUOTE] Actually, I’d _never_ use the crap. Too dangerous and doesn’t work well. I use plungers, snakes, the compressed gas can-thing, hot water and best of all- to keep drains running free- the enzymatic and bacteria product. ---
**Author:** ![ManiacMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/24 "2008-01-30T04:36:57Z")
How can you be sure it’s paper towels? Just call a plumber… ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/25 "2008-01-30T07:13:07Z")
If a plunger won’t get it… I have a garden hose fitting inside and I have a 1/4 turn shut off valve with 6 more feet of hose. that and a bath towel to seal it off and I have not found anything that went down the toilet too hard to move. Grease and hair build up in other drains is a problem unless you can seal the vents on the roofs and all the traps in all the sinks. 99% of all stoppages in the toilet can be fixed with a plunger if there are no small children in the home. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/26 "2008-01-30T12:58:25Z")
[QUOTE=Lily] Yeah, I was surprised too. Makes a lot of bubbles, but it has always worked when just the plunger wouldn’t. And I have no idea if it would work on paper towels. I kind of doubt it, unless you were willing to let it sit for a couple days. Easier to just get a drain snake. [/QUOTE] No, I meant I didn’t know you could clog a toilet with a single crap. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/27 "2008-01-30T13:33:08Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] No, I meant I didn’t know you could clog a toilet with a single crap. 🙂 [/QUOTE] You have led a very sheltered existence. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/28 "2008-01-30T14:32:47Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] No, I meant I didn’t know you could clog a toilet with a single crap. 🙂 [/QUOTE] You obviously don’t have a low-flow toilet. I suppose they are good from a conservation point-of-view, but you damn well better be handy with a plunger. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/29 "2008-01-30T15:44:06Z")
Here’s where I come in and say I only clean my house once a year, but do it with Drano Gel. I’m sure I’m gonna stain or corrode something eventually, but until then, it’s apply and wipe! ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/30 "2008-01-30T16:17:58Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] No, I meant I didn’t know you could clog a toilet with a single crap. 🙂 [/QUOTE] Eat more fiber. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/31 "2008-01-30T17:13:28Z")
[QUOTE=GusNSpot] 99% of all stoppages in the toilet can be fixed with a plunger if there are no small children in the home. [/QUOTE] Or troublesome spouses. 🙂 Plunger and snake are the first choices, but a slow toilet might be the first sign of a bigger problem, so if they don’t work the power snake route works well. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/32 "2008-01-30T17:25:58Z")
If you have not gathered it by now. Go out and buy a plunger. When you buy the plunger get a good plunger. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Plunger\_250x410.jpg](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Plunger_250x410.jpg) In the linked picture, it shows to type. Look for one in the style of the black one. They work much better on toilets. Says the father of two kids, one with the knack of clogging toilets. Jim ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/33 "2008-01-30T18:15:55Z")
[QUOTE=GusNSpot] 99% of all stoppages in the toilet can be fixed with a plunger if there are no small children in the home. [/QUOTE] Yep, a plunger just forces them deeper. It’s best to feed a rope or leash down to recover the children. ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498/34 "2008-01-30T18:23:41Z")
[QUOTE=Valgard] There’s a short snake meant specifically for toilets called a “Toilet auger” - it’s under $10 and you should be able to find one at any hardware store: > **[General Pipe Cleaners R-3NKH 3-Feet Economy Closet Auger - Drain Augers -...](https://www.amazon.com/General-Cleaners-R-3NKH-3-Feet-Economy/dp/B000DZGJZW)** > > Product Description General Pipe Cleaners R-3NKH 3-Feet Economy Closet Auger From the Manufacturer A light duty tool for the price-conscious buyer. 3 8-Inch diameter auger with a 27-Inch long plated tube... [/QUOTE] I must endorse this advice. I have very healthy bowels, and in my first couple of months in Canada I managed to clog the toilet 8 times! A trip to the hardware store later and I have not had to call the landlord again for this particular problem, I still clog the toilet but my trusty toilet snake bails me out every time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-drano-wont-unclog-a-toilet-what-other-than-a-plunger-will/435498.md?page=1)