Keep a bottle of washing up liquid near the toilet for emergency use. If two attempts fail, move to a plunger; if that fails after three attempts, call a plumber.
An Assessment of Washing Up Liquid as a Toilet Unblocking Agent washing up liquid unblock toilet
| Method | Effectiveness | Chemical Safety | Cost | Risk to Toilet | |--------|--------------|----------------|------|----------------| | Washing up liquid + hot water | Moderate (soft blockages) | Very safe | Very low | None | | Plunger only | High (most common blockages) | Safe | Low | Low (scratching) | | Caustic drain cleaner (NaOH) | High but slow | Dangerous – fumes, burns | Medium | Can crack porcelain or damage pipes | | Toilet auger (snake) | Very high | Safe | Medium–High | Low if used correctly | Keep a bottle of washing up liquid near