You’re standing in your bathroom, staring at a stubbornly clogged toilet. Desperation sets in as you ponder your options. You’ve heard about using bleach to unclog your toilet, but will it actually work? If you’re looking for an answer to this question, then we have good news.
Read on and we’ll guide you through how to use bleach for your clogged toilet.
Key Takeways
Yes! Bleach will work as long as the clog is not too severe. You may need to repeat the process more than once in order to get rid of the clog. If bleach doesn’t do the trick, you can try other chemicals or household items like baking soda with a plunger.
Using bleach to unclog a toilet step by step
Bleach is a great product to have around the house. It can be used for all sorts of things like cleaning up stains and disinfecting surfaces.
But as we have already mentioned, it’s perfect for unclogging your toilet. You might not need any other tools or products to get rid of minor blockages in your plumbing system- just grab some bleach and follow these simple steps.
1. Pour one cup of bleach into the toilet
2. Wait for it to bubble before adding more bleach if necessary
3. Put a plunger over the top of the bowl, making sure that you cover as much surface area as possible with it
4. Push down on the plunger in order to create suction and clear the blockage
5. Flush the toilet and check whether the toilet has been unclogged successfully
6. If not successful, wait for at least 10 minutes before trying again
7. Repeat steps 1-5, but add more bleach this time.
8. Flush the toilet after unclogging is complete
See also: Best toilet brush and plunger combo
Does bleach dissolve poop?
The answer is that it depends on the type of poop. Bleach does not dissolve all types of poop, and some are so acidic or thick they can’t be dissolved by bleach at all.
For example, if you have dog poop in your toilet, then even bleach won’t help. If you’re uncertain about what kind of poo is in your toilet bowl after using a plunger to try to unclog it, call an expert plumber instead.
See also: Ways to prevent poop from sticking to the toilet
Does bleach damage toilet bowls?
There is no doubt that bleach is an effective cleaner, but it can also damage your toilet.
A common misconception about bleach cleaning products is that they will clean anything and everything with a simple swipe of the cloth or spray from the bottle.
This isn’t accurate in all cases as many types of surfaces are sensitive to chemicals like bleach – including porcelain-coated toilets.
Using too much bleach on these surfaces could cause permanent staining, which would result in costly repairs for homeowners.
If you want a safe way to get rid of tough stains without damaging your home’s most expensive interior surface, try diluted bleach or just use vinegar instead. You’ll have beautifully fresh smelling bathroom fixtures and no need for pricey repair bills after bleaching them first.
Is bleach safe for septic systems?
It’s important to know how much bleach you can safely use in a septic system. For example, the EPA recommends that homeowners only pour 1/2 cup of bleach down each toilet once every three months.
If your septic tank is not large enough for this amount, then it may be best to avoid using bleach altogether and instead focus on other cleaning methods like vinegar or baking soda solutions.
See also: Can you use baking soda and vinegar to clean the toilet tank?
How often should you use bleach down the toilet?
According to a study by the National Sanitation Foundation, you should use bleach down your toilet at least once every three months.
You can also replace it with other cleaners such as vinegar or commercial products like Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner if desired.
Related article: Can you leave Drano overnight?
Can you pour bleach down the toilet?
If you are wondering whether you can pour bleach down the toilet, yes you can. But here are a few things to consider.
First off, only do it if your bowl has visible stains that won’t come out with regular treatment.
Secondly, don’t flush too much of the product at once or else it will back up and overflow into other areas of your home (which is not fun).
Thirdly, make sure to rinse well after using so there’s no residue left in the pipes which could lead to clogs later on.
Fourthly, be careful when doing this because bleach can react negatively with certain surfaces such as grout!
Finally, never mix chlorine products.
See also: Can a toilet unclog itself?
Can I leave bleach in the toilet overnight?
The answer to this question is a resounding “no.” After all, bleach will break down the toilet’s rubber parts and damage your septic system.
In addition, it can cause skin irritation when you come into contact with it.
It is recommended to rinse off bleach from the toilet after at least 30 minutes.
How long can you leave bleach in the toilet?
Some people feel that leaving bleach in the toilet while they are away or on vacation is the best way to keep it clean.
While bleach will kill most bacteria that may be lurking in your toilet bowl, it may also erode the toilet bowl finish or corrode metal parts of your plumbing system.
If you really want to keep a clean toilet while away, you can try adding some baking soda to the water before pouring in chlorine bleach.
Baking soda has an acidic pH which helps break down stains on porcelain surfaces without damaging them while still killing germs for up to 24 hours after use.
See also: Causes of grey and yellow stains in the toilet bowl
What is the best bleach for toilets?
If you’re trying to figure out which bleach is the best for your toilet, it’s time for an experiment.
Fill a glass with water and add some chlorine bleach until there are no more bubbles coming up from the bottom of the container.
Observe what happens over a few hours (or days). The only thing that should happen after this process is that the color of the liquid will become lighter in the shade as all other materials have been dissolved away by now.
If any material remains on top or settles to the bottom, then it isn’t safe enough for use around toilets!
In general, we recommend using trying this Clorox® Bleach Gel if you need something specifically targeted at cleaning toilets bowls.
See also: How to dissolve paper towel in toilet
Conclusion
We’ve all had that moment where we have to plunge into a toilet. You know the feeling- you’re up on your toes, straining and grunting as you try to get it out of there. Then maybe you do some googling for tips and tricks before plunging again (we’re guilty too).
Will bleach unclog a toilet? Does it work? Bleach can dissolve organic material such as hair clogs because it kills bacteria which helps break them down so they are easier for the water to flush down.
However, it might not be as simple as you think. You might have to use a lot of bleach as well as repeat the steps we outlined above a few times. Nonetheless, it works quite well for clogs that are not too severe.
