# Unblock Your Toilet DIY: Baking Soda And Salt

- Published: 2022-11-07
- Last Modified: 2025-03-06
- Source: https://bigblueplumbing.au/blog/diy-toilet-unblocking-method
- Author: Steven Bahbah

Don’t let a blocked toilet ruin your day — find out how to unclog your toilet DIY style in an emergency with baking soda and salt.

## Keywords

- Unblock Your Toilet DIY

## Tags

- DIY
- Blocked Drains
- Toilet

## Author

**Steven Bahbah**

Steven has been a plumber for over 10 years.

### Socials

- [Website](https://bigblueplumbing.au/)

## Article

A clogged toilet backing up water instead of flushing it away can be quite distressing for any homeowner.

Sometimes, dealing with blocked toilet drains isn’t simple, no matter how much you plunge. While this is undoubtedly a nightmare, you need not panic because numerous workarounds can help **unclog** a **blocked toilet**.

![Diy Toilet Unblocking Method](https://bigblueplumbing.au/uploads/2022/11/diy-toilet-unblocking-method.jpg)

Even though your first instinct may be to use commercial toilet cleaners, opting for a DIY baking soda mixture to unclog a toilet can help avoid a mess. It would be best to grab some baking soda and salt from the pantry to unclog the toilet drain without spending a penny.

The best thing about these two ingredients is they sparkle when mixed, effectively clearing serious toilet clogs. So, if you’re tired of plunging your blocked toilet, it’s time to try the baking soda and salt remedy.

## Unblock Toilet With Baking Soda And Salt

While plungers can sometimes prove helpful, they may not always be effective in clearing stubborn clogs. Thus, there is a need for methods to **unclog a toilet without a plunger**. Even if plunging clears the toilet clog, the result is often temporary, and the toilet bowl will get blocked again.

That’s when two ingredients from your pantry will rescue you — baking soda and salt, mainly when dealing with an overflowing toilet. Let’s find out how these two ingredients can be used to **unclog toilets** without making a mess.

### Step 1: Mix Baking Soda And Table Salt

![Table Salt Baking Soda Mix](https://bigblueplumbing.au/uploads/2022/11/table-salt-and-baking-soda-mix.jpg)

Start by mixing equal parts of baking soda and salt in a container. Ideally, use half a cup of each in a wide-mouthed bottle for easy pouring.

### Step 2: Pour The Mixture In The Toilet Bowl

After mixing the two ingredients, you’ll have to pour them into the toilet bowl to **unclog the drain**. It would be best if you remembered that the mixture must be slowly poured into the drain so it doesn’t spill on your hand or it will irritate the skin.

![Pouring Mixture Toilet Bowl](https://bigblueplumbing.au/uploads/2022/11/pouring-mixture-down-toilet-bowl.jpg)

### Step 3: Boil About Six Cups Of Water

Take a pan, pour about six cups of water from your water supply, and heat it on the stove till it boils. Pouring boiling water is necessary to loosen the clogs; however, ensure **the water isn’t overly hot**.

Too hot water can damage your PVC pipes, leading to costly repairs. When pouring hot water down the drain, wear rubber gloves and pour it slowly to prevent accidental burns.

You may hear a peculiar bubbling sound from the drain when you pour the baking soda-salt mixture, followed by hot water into the toilet water. You need not worry because that is the sound of the mix loosening and breaking the clog. Let this natural cleaning solution **rest for at least 8 hours** before moving on to the final step.

### Step 4: Pour Hot Water

![Pouring Boiling Water Toilet Bucket](https://bigblueplumbing.au/uploads/2022/11/pouring-boiling-water-into-toilet-from-bucket.jpg)

To finish, slowly pour a cup of hot water down the drain, then flush the toilet to clear the clog.

In a severe clog, you’ll have to repeat the steps once or twice to **unclog the toilet** completely. If your toilet bowl clogs frequently, a monthly cleaning regimen using this baking soda, salt, and even dish soap method can keep it clog-free.

## Alternatives Ways To Unclog A Toilet

## 1. Unclog Toilet With Rock Salt

Another effective way to unclog a toilet is to use rock salt, but remember that it takes longer to react. That is why you’ll have to pour it in the evening; it will only unclog your toilet by the morning.

Here’s how to use rock salt to unblock your toilet bowl without a plunger.

- **Step 1**: Take a cup of rock salt and two gallons of hot water.
- **Step 2**: Combine salt with hot water and pour it down the toilet bowl.
- **Step 3**: Allow the mixture to sit in the drain for at least 8 hours.
- **Step 4**: After 8 hours, **flush the toilet to unclog the drain**.

When the clog is cleared, your toilet will function properly without making any gurgling sounds or water backing up. One thing you must keep in mind is that using boiling water is a big no-no because [the porcelain may crack](https://www.quora.com/Will-hot-water-crack-porcelain). If you’re unsure how hot the water should be for unclogging both toilet and sink drains, we suggest using water from the tap and heating it using the water heater.

![Rock Salt Method Toilet Unblocking](https://bigblueplumbing.au/uploads/2022/11/rock-salt-method-toilet-unblocking.jpg)

## 2. Using Epsom Salt To Unclog Your Toilet

Are you hurrying to **unclog your toilet** and looking for **quick DIY methods to clear the clog** in less than an hour? [Epsom salt will do the trick and unclog your toilet within 15 minutes](https://www.bomisch.com/unclog-toilet-with-salt/).

Epsom salt is packed with stronger sulphate, magnesium, and trace minerals **than rock and table salt**. This means it can dissolve debris more quickly than the other two salts, so your toilet will be ready for use within a few minutes.

You might not have Epsom salt on hand, so ordering some online might be necessary. Since it’s quite potent, the question is, how much do you need to unclog the toilet?

Ideally, a cup is enough to unclog a toilet, but you may need two cups for stubborn clogs. Unclogging the toilet using Epsom salt is easy-peasy– pour one cup of salt into the toilet bowl and allow it to float for about 15 minutes. Unlike other salts, you’ll notice the chemical reaction immediately because water produces a funny bubbling sound when combined with magnesium sulphate.

Once the process is complete, you can [flush the toilet by pressing the handle](https://bigblueplumbing.au/blog/why-wont-my-toilet-flush). This will unclog the toilet immediately, ensuring that both your toilet and bathroom sink are working efficiently.

## How To Use Salt To Prevent Clogging?

Toilets can get clogged for various reasons with regular use. Many homeowners use salt, known for its antiseptic and abrasive properties, to help prevent clogs.

You can use any of the three salts mentioned above to keep your toilet free from clogging. Most people prefer pouring salt down the drain weekly, while others use it every month– either way, the choice is yours.

However, if you experience severe clogs, we suggest using a mix of either kitchen salt and vinegar or baking soda and vinegar.

The best thing about these homemade drain cleaners is that they don’t damage pipelines or bowls compared to chemicals. All you need to do is mix equal quantities of the ingredients and pour the mixture down the drain, followed by hot water. Rest assured, your toilet will unclog without calling a professional plumber.

## Get Your Toilet Unblocked!

[While blocked toilets](https://bigblueplumbing.au/drainage/blocked-toilet) are a nuisance for any homeowner, if left untreated, they can damage your property’s plumbing system and foundations, making homemade drain cleaner essential.

Always use natural cleaning solutions or homemade drain cleaners to **unclog your toilets** because commercial ones are packed with nasty stuff that can worsen the issue. If your toilet isn’t unclogged even after using liquid cleaning solutions, DIY methods, or even a wire coat hanger, it might be time to call a [professional plumber](https://bigblueplumbing.au/).
