Got a clogged toilet and can't find a plunger? Here's what to do - CNET

This story is part of Home Tips , CNET's collection of practical tips for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

It's a situation you never want to find yourself in: clogging a toilet (especially in someone else's house) with no plunger in sight. Don't worry, there is an easy and hassle-free way to unclog a toilet. All you need are a few household items.

Grab some dish soap, hot water, and a bucket, then let the chemistry take over. Yes, the pistonless approach really is that simple! Here's how to do it.

For more home improvement hacks, learn how to properly clean sheets , remove mildew in the washing machine , and properly clean your mattress .

Everything you need to clear the toilet is probably already in the bathroom.

Most clogged toilets can be cleaned with soap, hot water, and time.

Dale Smith/CNET

Again, you only need three supplies found in almost every bathroom: soap, hot water, and a container to pour the water into the toilet bowl. Dish soap, hot bath water, and a 5-gallon bucket work best, but if the secret is very important and getting out of the toilet would blow your cover, a few pumps from a hand soap dispenser and some hot water from the sink in a small plastic container will do . Good.

First, run hot water in the sink or tub - as hot as possible. Do not overdo it, it is not necessary to boil the water. At these temperatures, you could crack the porcelain or, worse, injure yourself. Just let the tap water get as hot as possible and it's within reach.

While waiting for the hot water, go ahead and clean everything on the floor: scales, bathmats... pets. You will of course be very careful not to spill, but it's better to be safe than to get wet.

Slip this inexpensive little spray bottle into your pocket or purse to keep the toilet you use smelling fresh.

You will receive price alerts for the article Poo-Pourri before-the-way toilet spray, original citrus scent, 10ml.

Let the chemistry do the work, but be careful.

Your goal is to get the liquid in the toilet bowl as hot and soapy as possible as quickly as possible without it overflowing. This is the step that requires the greatest delicacy.

If you've already tried flushing the clog a second time and the toilet bowl overflows, pour the soap straight down the toilet and then top up with as much hot water as possible if you can.

However, if you have a lot of space, mix the soap and water first, and then pour the soap infusion into the bowl as soon as possible. In a perfect storm, heat and soap lubricate the hull as the force of the water pushes against it. Hopefully your reflexes are quick, as you may have to suddenly stop watering if the clog doesn't clear right away.

A note on the soap: you really can't overdo it with the soap at this point. You won't be stirring the solution too much, so the bowl probably won't turn into a foam volcano if you overdo it. I'm not saying you have to pour the whole soap bottle in, but I'm not saying you shouldn't either. You understand me?

Dish soap works best, but hand soap works just fine in a pinch. Then all you need is hot water and something to put in the toilet, like a small trash can.

Dale Smith/CNET

Definitely don't stir the toilet bowl.

Whatever you do, you don't have to stir it to have the hot, soapy water mix with the cold, dirty water that came first. Science will take care of that through a process called osmosis. If the clog doesn't budge after your soapy water tsunami, the next thing you need to do is be patient.

Most emergency toilets are not 100% clogged, so yours will likely be slow to empty initially. Keep an eye on the water level and if it goes down, keep adding hot water to keep it replenished. If the clog isn't too stubborn, the extra pressure of a full container and the lubricating quality of the soap should help flush out the accumulated material fairly quickly.

Many bathroom trash cans are small enough to fit under the sink, but if yours doesn't, you can use the faucet in the bath or shower.

Dale Smith/CNET

If all else fails, give it more time

The worst case scenario is that the hoof is too tight and the above steps don't get it out right away. In this case, you don't have to call a plumber or go to the hardware store just yet.

Try giving the warm, soapy water some time to break up the clog. Walk away, close the bathroom door, and wait 30 to 60 minutes before checking again. If you do, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that your problem has gone down the drain.

This can mean blowing your cover if you've tried to flush the toilet incognito. In that case, the best you can hope for is not to become the target of future pranks.

Good luck with that too.

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