How to Unclog a Toilet with Bleach + Hot Water

Ndesho ThomasLast Updated: July 14, 2024

A clogged toilet might cause a major inconvenience in your house. In the absence of a plunger, bleach alone or combined with hot water can help in unclogging your toilet. This is a safe and cheap method that anyone can try out whenever your lavatory is in a mess.

Following are the tools and steps you need to unclog your toilet using bleach. We’ve also reviewed some of the best bleaches that you use to clear the clogs.

Contents show

How Can Bleach Unclog a Toilet?

Bleach is the generic term for any chemical products that are used domestically to clean or to remove stains in a process called bleaching.

Chemically, bleach is a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite, also called “liquid bleach”.

Bleach generally works by disinfecting and breaking down waste in the toilet. It terms of stain removal, bleach releases oxygen molecules(by oxidation) that break up the chemical bonds within the stains leaving your bowl white and free of stains

Many commercial bleaches have broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, making them useful for disinfecting and sterilizing and are used to control bacteria, viruses, and algae and in many places such as bathrooms where sterile conditions are required.

Steps to Unclog Toilet with Bleach & Hot Water

What you will need

Approximately 2 gallons of hot water
1-2 cups of liquid bleach
A pair of Rubber gloves
Goggles
Fan

Method #1. Using Bleach Only

Put on your protective gear. Wear rubber gloves and goggles to protect your hands from buns and goggles to prevent water splashes that may end up in your eyes.
Open the window, door, or turn on the fan to create ventilation. Unpleasant fumes may build up in the house, thus it is necessary to take caution.
Pour 1 to 2 cups of bleach into the toilet. The amount will in most cases depend on the amount of water in the bowl; more water more bleach.
For bleach work on the clog, allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes
Turn on the water valve and flush the toilet.

Method #2 Bleach and Hot Water to Unclog Toilet

hot water and bleach to unclog toilet — Hot water

Wear your protective gear and ensure the room is well ventilated
Add the two cups of bleach into the bowl and allow them to work for around 10minutes.
After the 10 minutes, add hot water such that it fills the toilet bowl halfway. Let the mixture rest for 5-7 more minutes.
Flush the toilet twice or thrice to get rid and ensure it is clog-free.

Benefits of using Bleach for Toilet unclogging

Bleach is cheap and can easily remove the waste on the toilet that causes clogging.
They can destroy and clear mildew, plans, fungi, and roots that develop in toilets. Detergents are disinfectants and often remove the pungent smell of such growing material in some toilets. It, therefore, prevents the growing matter from appearing.
It has an added advantage since it also works on the stains. This leaves your toilet looking brighter.
Some commercial bleaches come with additional ingredients which leave your toilet smelling fresh.

The most notable con or disadvantage of bleach is that it only works for soft clogs.

Best Bleaches to unclog the toilet

Clorox Bleach

This bleach is known by many as a perfect deodorant and cleaning agent.

To use clorox, add between a half and three-quarter cup of Clorox bleach on the clogged toilet.

Later on, flush the toilet using hot water. This bleach is effective for soft clogs and aids in killing germs and leaving the toilet in a sanitary state.

There are Clorox tablets that you can also drop in the toilet tank then flush. It leaves the toilet with sparkling blue color and smelling fresh.

Kaboom Scrub Free Bleach

This is an effective detergent that requires no scrubbing. You only need to pop in a pouch and the bleach does its job. Most customers have praised the bleach since it is easy to use and takes less time to unclog toilets.

However, some customers have complained about the smell it leaves behind.

Lysol No Mess Automatic Bleach

You can also employ this bleach. Just clip one of them onto the rim of the toilet, especially sections with heavy water flow, then leave it to unclog the toilet.

It offers a fresh ocean scent. Most customers have praised the product considering the ease of use, cheap price and the fresh smell it leaves behind.

Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Bleach

This bleach clings onto your toilet and attacks the grime before flushing it away. It is contained in discs that also clean your toilet with every flush. Using the dispenser, stamp the disc on the toilet bowl then let it work.

The bleach prevents sticking around of all grime and repels lime that tends to build up in toilets.

Customers have praised the product due to its ease of use and the fresh scent it leaves upon every flush.

Green Works Toilet Bleach

This is also a cleaner made from Clorox. The chemical composition is gentle to the environment but is tough on toilet clogs such as mineral deposits and hard water stains.

It is made from plant and mineral-based components that are safe. To employ this bleach, squirt it and allow it to settle for 10 minutes. Later on, flush the toilet.

It has been praised since it is natural and smells great. Some customers have applauded the lemon candy aroma it leaves behind.

Safety Precautions

It is recommended that you use appropriate bleach when cleaning your toilet. Do check the content and instructions of commercial bleach products.
Some bleach products contain harsh and abrasive chemicals that may react with your toilet seat.
Refrain from using bleach with a strong chemical composition that hurts the seat.
Do not mix the bleach with other cleaning agents. Mixing bleach with hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, ammonia, vinegar, or other chemicals will lead to a chemical reaction that will produce a hazardous gas(chlorine).

How to Unclog a Toilet with Bleach + Hot Water

How Can Bleach Unclog a Toilet?