# If you do not keep a plunger in your bathroom, I will improvise. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 11, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656 "2011-07-11T18:54:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/21 "2011-07-12T06:52:38Z")
> [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](#): > > No shit! I prefer to use my own bathroom and that works well. I don’t usually have to take toilet-clogging shits at odd places and random times. My god man, what are you eating? One of the most surprising things I’ve learned in many years of reading the SDMB is that people’s defecation requirements vary enormously. I was completely surprised to learn that some people can pretty much manage never to use a public toilet for pooping unless they have diarrhea. This comes up pretty…er…regularly here, and people are always surprised that other people’s ability or inability in normal circumstances to control when they need to defecate is wildly different from their own. I’ll also warn you that while I’ve never had the kind of control some people have, it’s also varied with age. Not old age, just a noticeable shift in experience between college and mid-thirties (where I am now). So just because you’re the bowel master now, don’t get complacent! ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/22 "2011-07-12T07:07:35Z")
I never knew [such plungers could be used to unclog a toilet](http://propertysoup.net/how-tos/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-without-calling-a-plumber/). Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/23 "2011-07-12T07:13:51Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I never knew [such plungers could be used to unclog a toilet](http://propertysoup.net/how-tos/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-without-calling-a-plumber/). Ignorance fought. What did you think plungers were for? Or did you just never give the matter any thought before? ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/24 "2011-07-12T07:35:58Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > What did you think plungers were for? Or did you just never give the matter any thought before? Clogged sinks and bathtubs. I never thought of using them for clogged toilets. That’s why I keep my plunger in my bathroom (which hasn’t got a toilet) instead of in my (separate) toilet. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/25 "2011-07-12T10:54:25Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I never knew [such plungers could be used to unclog a toilet](http://propertysoup.net/how-tos/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-without-calling-a-plumber/). Ignorance fought. That toilet image in the article really cracked me up. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/26 "2011-07-12T13:42:11Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I never knew [such plungers could be used to unclog a toilet](http://propertysoup.net/how-tos/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-without-calling-a-plumber/). Ignorance fought. Actually, the text in that article is correct, but the picture is wrong: > [@](#): > > Be sure you have the right plunger. The correct plunger for toilet unclogging is shaped like a funnel on the end. Some people use sink plungers, assuming they’re easier to use. The funnel shaped, “old fashioned” plungers are better for toilet clogs because they force water into the drain to help unclog it. followed by a picture of a tiny sink plunger. You want one of these [plungers](http://s3.thisnext.com/media/230x230/Heavy-Duty-Toilet-Plunger_984B5CD0.jpg), with the extension on the end which seals better against the bottom of the toilet. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/27 "2011-07-12T13:57:17Z")
a) I used to clog the toilet regularly when I was a kid. It’s not that hard to learn to avoid it. b) Plungers are ugly and get used once every year or so. It’s in the utility closet, with the rest of the occasional-use tools. c) Memorize the arcane words, “Mekaleka hi mekka crap, the bog’s plugged up.” Utter these mystic words in the hearing of the householder, and a plunger will appear as if by magic. Don’t worry if you can’t remember them exactly, these things are flexible. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/28 "2011-07-12T13:59:51Z")
I have one that’s more like [this](http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Products-300-Powered-Clearing/dp/B000MRGWOY). Works great, but the way to use it properly isn’t as obvious as a standard plunger. Pump up the air chamber, put the appropriate-sized seal on the end, place firmly against the opening, and pull the trigger. With a mighty FOOM, pressurized air wallops the pipe clean. The most non-obvious part is, close the lid as much as you can before you pull the trigger, unless you want to be covered in splashback. Ew. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/29 "2011-07-12T14:16:21Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > The most non-obvious part is, close the lid as much as you can before you pull the trigger, unless you want to be covered in splashback. Ew. Actually, that was my _exact_ initial fear after reading your description. It sounds like trying to clear it with a potato gun. We’ve got the black accordian style. They’re also cheap enough you can stick one in every bathroom in the house. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/30 "2011-07-12T14:28:38Z")
The OP’s username is disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/31 "2011-07-12T14:42:33Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Heh. It was written in 80% jest, and I’m not currently staying with anyone. It’s a PSA for plungers. People who have toilets with low killing power should be especially mindful to have a plunger on hand and in the bathroom. Aaaaaamen! Hell, even with the regular ones, keep a plunger handy. Yeesh. Our house was built after the low-flow toilets were mandated. We keep plungers in every bathroom. The corollary is: What the hell do you DO with the used plunger? If it’s in a full bathroom we can rinse it with an extra flush or two, then set it in the adjacent shower stall to dry. In the powder room, though??? (we rinse it with SEVERAL flushes, shake it off as well as we can, and set it on the floor nearly behind he throne. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/32 "2011-07-12T14:52:35Z")
For the span of a year when I was 15 years old, for some reason I would clog the toilet almost every time. With just poop. It was a horrible year. From my experience, there isn’t any clog that a good old plunger can’t fix. The plain old red kind with the wooden handle works best. With some of the “heavy duty” black plungers and some toilets, you can’t get a proper seal. Once you get a seal, it’s all about the rhythm. If you have a good rhythm then there won’t be any splashback except a tiny bit on the rim of the bowl. To clean the used plunger, wash it with flushes and then set it down on the floor on top of some old newspaper. Remove the newspaper in a day or two when it’s dry. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/33 "2011-07-12T15:15:33Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Aaaaaamen! > > Hell, even with the regular ones, keep a plunger handy. Yeesh. > > Our house was built after the low-flow toilets were mandated. We keep plungers in every bathroom. > > The corollary is: What the hell do you DO with the used plunger? If it’s in a full bathroom we can rinse it with an extra flush or two, then set it in the adjacent shower stall to dry. In the powder room, though??? (we rinse it with SEVERAL flushes, shake it off as well as we can, and set it on the floor nearly behind he throne. That’s what I do - just rinse in refilled clean toilet. What, by the way, is up with the way that all plungers with plastic handles instead of wooden ones have plastic handles that look like sex toys? ---
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/34 "2011-07-12T15:34:25Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > That’s what I do - just rinse in refilled clean toilet. > > What, by the way, is up with the way that all plungers with plastic handles instead of wooden ones have plastic handles that look like sex toys? Yes. My mother also used to sprinkle Comet after that. Lordy, **Mr. U** just bought one of the new-fangled ones. Try to think of them as contoured grips (talking to myself and **Zsofia**.) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/35 "2011-07-12T19:01:22Z")
My plunger came with a sort of plastic caddy that it sits in after use. I just rinse it in the clean toilet, shake it off (carefully), then let it sit back in its base. After it dries (or before next use) I dump the drip-water back into the toilet. ---
**Author:** ![RalfCoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@RalfCoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RalfCoder)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/36 "2011-07-12T20:01:36Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > If you often clog up toilets, maybe you should start carrying one around with you. Just in case. Or eat an apple or two for a few days before you go visiting… ---
**Author:** ![rebelson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@rebelson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rebelson)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/37 "2011-07-12T20:20:37Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I never knew [such plungers could be used to unclog a toilet](http://propertysoup.net/how-tos/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-without-calling-a-plumber/). Ignorance fought. The plunger pictured in your link is for sinks. This one [http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-OXPHs4HwtEsfPIf1xv3VtocwjfWhW3Jy-Nww0xhI8Fbboo4mwQ](http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-OXPHs4HwtEsfPIf1xv3VtocwjfWhW3Jy-Nww0xhI8Fbboo4mwQ) will serve you much better unstopping a toilet. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/38 "2011-07-13T04:23:18Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I never knew [such plungers could be used to unclog a toilet](http://propertysoup.net/how-tos/how-to-unclog-a-toilet-without-calling-a-plumber/). Ignorance fought. I suspect your toilet pan is a different design than the standard US one. I know the Aus/NZ pan has a 100mm drain and it would take a serious load of toilet paper on top of a humongous dump to even look like it would block. The US ones however seem to have a 2 1/4 inch drain and even work differently. They rely on a syphoning effect rather than sheer volume for the flush to clear the refuse. If you check out the “how stuff works” site, you’ll see the US style [toilet flush](http://home.howstuffworks.com/toilet1.htm). The Wikipedia article about [Flush toilets](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flush_toilet) shows the other bowl types. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2011, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656/39 "2011-07-13T06:46:09Z")
interesting username + OP! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-do-not-keep-a-plunger-in-your-bathroom-i-will-improvise/588656.md?page=1)