How To Use Epsom Salt To Unclog Toilet (Easy Steps)

Many toilets come up with one issue or another, eventually leading to the toilets’ clogging. You can unclog your toilet several ways, and using Epsom salt is a popular homemade method. 

Using Epsom salt to unclog toilets would break the clogs in the toilets and then unclog them, while clearing any build-up in the toilet pipes.

In this article, we will guide you on how to clear your toilets with Epsom salt!

Epsom Salt To Unclog Toilet 

The procedures involved in using Epsom salt to unclog your toilet are very easy, and all you would need for this is Epsom salt and a measuring cup.

To do this, follow the steps below; 

1. Measure about a cup of Epsom salt and pour it into your toilet bowl
2. The magnesium sulfate should reach the water to produce a fizzy and spay reaction; you must wait for that to happen
3. When you notice this, do not flush. Still, wait for the reaction to subside before flushing the salt down your toilet
4. After that, you should clear your clog out

If you do not have Epsom salt and wish to use just ordinary table salt, then the procedures are different, but not too different. For the table salt, you would need to add vinegar or baking soda to enhance the effectiveness of the salt. 

If you were using rock salt, all you would need to go well with it is just hot water.

For table salt, 

• Measure a half cup of table salt, mix it with half a cup of baking soda, and then pour it into the toilet drain
• After a minute or two, you should add about 6-8 cups of boiling water and let it sit in the toilet for about six hours, and you can also let it go overnight
• Use a plunger to loosen the clog faster before flushing down your toilet. After that, flush your toilet with another hot water bucket to loosen whatever baking soda particle was left

For rock salt, 

• Measure a cup of rock salt and put it into a bucket filled with two gallons of water until the salt dissolves
• Pour the mixture into your toilet bowl and let it sit overnight or for six hours
• After the time is up, pour another bucket of hot water into the toilet bowl to flush out the remaining residue 

A cup of salt, be it Epsom salt or even rock salt, would be able to do the work for you, except if you have more than one toilets to treat.

See Also: Can Epsom Salt Damage Bathtub?

What Other Ways Can I Unclog a Toilet?

If you do not have any salts, you also do not need to worry because there are several ways to unclog your toilet. Some other ways you can unclog your clogged toilets include; 

1. A Plunger 

You may see the plunger as a basic tool, but it effectively unclogs your toilets. It is normal for homeowners to have a plunger around or in their toilets because it can come in handy once or twice. 

If you need to learn how to use a plunger properly, then YouTube videos on how to effectively carry this out. In many cases, the first go with the plunger eliminates air, but do not do it too forcefully, so toilet water doesn’t splash on you. 

When you’ve got a good hold on the toilet, you can keep pushing the plunger down gently until you are done with what you must do. And your toilet is unclogged. This method mostly works for minor cases of clogging. 

2. A Toilet Brush 

If you don’t have a plunger or a plunging snake in your home, then the next thing you need to do is make use of a toilet brush. This would be more effective if the clog is at the top of the toilet or close to the opening. 

3. Plunging Snake 

The plunging snake is a technique you should use when the blockage is deeper than the toilet bowl. First, get yourself gloves and put them on before winding down the tool until the clog is released. Plunging a snake can be messy, but it is much better than using your hand. 

If you try this method and it doesn’t work well, you can contact a professional plunger. 

4. Hot Water 

The entire concept of flushing a toilet is based on gravity. With that concept, you can clear the clog if you forcefully let hot water down your toilet. You should only flush the entire water once, so ensure you have enough water to flush. 

After the first trial, wait a few minutes before flushing down the second and third times. Wait a few more minutes to see if it cleared the clog. 

5. Vinegar And Baking Soda 

The vinegar and baking soda method is a homemade recipe that can also work for toilet clogs. As we should know, vinegar and baking soda can be used for various household reasons, from culinary to toilet care. 

All you have to do is fill a cup with baking soda and gently pour it into the toilet bowl. After that, wait a few minutes before you pour two cups of liquid vinegar. When these two items meet, they start to bubble and for that reason, ensure you pour them slowly. 

6. Contract A Plumber 

If these methods do not help you unclog your toilet easily, you should resort to getting a plumber to do it for you. You might just be dealing with a serious blockage. 

All you have to do is find a plumber around your area. You do not have to do anything serious. Most problems are not very complicated, so you should try the above methods first.

See Also: Can Salt And Boiling Water Unclog Drain?

Conclusion

You can use your Epsom salt to unclog the toilet, but you have to ensure that you put only a little salt into the drain. The process is very easy and can be done by anyone. This way, you don’t have to spend too much to unclog your toilet.