Blocked toilets can be a real headache, often caused by too much toilet paper, limescale, and even tree roots.
Oftentimes people flush items that aren’t meant to go down the pipe. Dealing with a clogged loo is not only unpleasant but can also come with a foul odour.
However, fans of cleaning guru Mrs Hinch have shared a nifty trick using an everyday kitchen item to tackle the problem, bypassing the need for chemicals, hot water, or a plunger.
The tip came to light after a member of the ‘Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips’ Facebook group sought advice for a blocked toilet, posting: “Help. My daughter has blocked the toilet! I’ve tried using the loo brush without success! What can I do before I have to ring the council? Thanks in advance.”
Among the flood of suggestions, the standout solution was to use cling film, reports the Express.
“Cover in cling foil make sure there are no holes,” Marilyn Knott suggested. “Put the seat and lid down then flush. Good luck.”
This was echoed by Christine Griffin who advised: “Cover the complete bowl with cling film then flush. Water should rise up and clear the blockage.”
Adele Pitwell instructed: “Cover the toilet in cling film leaving no gaps. Flush the chain and the cling film will rise with pressure, push down as the toilet is flushing onto the cling film. This should clear it.”
Tara Justine added: “Put clingfilm across the top of the toilet so it’s airtight then flush.”
To employ this method, one simply needs to seal the toilet bowl with several layers of cling film until it’s completely airtight. Once the bowl is completely covered, flush the toilet. Don’t be alarmed if the cling film bubbles up, this is completely normal.
Press the air out of the bubble so it goes back down the toilet. This should clear any blockages.
Other suggestions for removing the blockage included using washing up liquid, hot water, a mop and a wire coat hanger.