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How to Get a Toy Out of the Toilet? – 10 Different Solutions!

How to Get a Toy Out of the Toilet
Written by Elizabeth Fincher
Last Update: August 10, 2023

The concept of a toilet that removes anything from its bowl with a magical motion intrigues many children.

That’s why we’re often tempted to give rubber duckies rides or send dinosaurs to Neverland. Your peace of mind can be hampered if the toilet becomes clogged or overflow.

If you want to try to remove the toy from your drain before you call a plumber, there are a few things you can do.

Signs of Toys Stuck in Your Toilet

These are the signs that something is stuck in your toilet…

  • Your plumbing system creates a gurgling sound
  • Your drain smells like raw sewage
  • Your toilet is overflowing with water
  • You saw your child doing it

First, try the easiest and most natural method!

In most cases, the toy gets stuck at the first bend of the toilet pipe. So, the best way would be to inspect it manually before going into more complicated methods.

Wear gloves on your hands and stick one of your hands into the toilet. If you can touch or hold it, simply pull it out by grabbing it with your fingers. You can also use a coat hanger or needle nose pliers to do it.

How to Get a Toy Out of the Toilet?

Tools/materials you might need

  • Plunger
  • Auger/snake
  • Declogger
  • Tools to remove toilet if needed
  • Drain cleaner
  • Coat hanger

Get It Done With a Plunger

Step 1: Put the plunger opening around the toilet drain hole

You can see on the inside of the plunger is a hole and that needs to securely fit over the hole in the bowl of the toiler tightly. The added extended piece should go into the drain hole

Step 2: Push and pull the plunger once or twice to feel you have a tight seal

Step 3: Push down the plunger for 15 seconds ensuring the seal stays tight

Step 4: Wear old clothes and stand back as much as you can because there will be some splashing. This is normal.

Step 5: Go in and out with the plunger aggressively. You want to start using plenty of force at this stage.

Step 6: You can pull the plunger out and check to see if the clog or toy has come loose.

You can flush the toilet to see if it flushes away normally or if water still pools and sits there, meaning the clog still exists.

Step 8: if there is still a clog, you can try using the plunger again. If, after two tries, it doesn’t come loose extra help may be needed.

If the Plunger Doesn’t Work: Use a Toilet Auger

Step 1: Open up the back tank

The first step is to open up the back tank and let all of the water out. If you don’t do this, it will make it very difficult to get into the drain.

Once done, you can attach your toilet auger to either end of your hose and start turning.

Step 2: Flush the toilet to build up the water level

To use an auger, flush the toilet to build up water level in the bowl and then put the auger’s tube into the overflow pipe on top of the toilet tank.

The tube should be as far as possible inside the overflow pipe without touching the bottom of the tank.

Now turn the handle clockwise while slowly pulling out on cable until the clog is cleared and water starts flowing again.

Step 3: Push the flapper down, so the tank doesn’t overfill

The flapper is the rubber valve that closes off the tank when you are not using it.

To push down the flapper so it doesn’t overfill, you need to firmly press on it with your hand or foot while using an auger to clear your clog.

Step 4: Check if the flush water struggles to go down

If the flush water struggles to go down while using a toilet auger, it can be a sign that there is a clog in the line.

Step 5: Lean the head back of the toilet auger into the toilet

The head of the toilet auger needs to be inserted into the toilet and then leaned back. This will make it easier for you to use the toilet auger.

Step 6: Make sure the auger handle doesn’t damage any stuff in the bathroom

A toilet auger is a plumbing tool used to remove clogs in toilets. It is also known as a toilet snake, but it can also be used for sinks and drains.

The auger has to be well-lubricated to prevent it from damaging the pipes. It should not be too long or too short, and it should have a handle that is easy to hold.

Step 7: Don’t twist the object inside the toilet with your auger

When you are using a toilet auger, don’t twist the object inside the toilet with your auger. This can cause damage to both your auger and the pipe.

The attachment that’s fitted to the end of the tube has to be carefully selected based on what type of blockage is being dealt with.

Step 8: Let off the pressure by a bit and pull up the auger

It’s best not to use too much force when using an auger as this can cause damage and may not remove what needs to be removed. If you find that you’re still having problems with your plumbing after using an auger, then it’s best to call a professional.

Step 9: Do the same procedure multiple times

The best way to use a toilet auger is by inserting it into the drain hole of the toilet and rotating it clockwise.

This will loosen any clogs in the pipeline and help them move through more easily. To open the

blockage, you can use this tool repeatedly for up to 30 minutes.

How Else Can You Get a Toy Out of the Toilet

  • Try a declogger

The toy can form a clog if it gets tangled in toilet paper or other debris. The toy might slip through the drain if the clog is broken up with a declogger. Chemical decloggers aren’t something we recommend, but we understand sometimes they are needed.

Select a natural declogger that is not laden with harsh chemicals. These can become a danger to your plumbing system, your health, and the environment.

  • Try a wire coat hanger

Try hooking the toy with a wire coat hanger with the wire loop bent if you can see it, but your hands can’t grab it. Pull slowly and steadily to retrieve it. You may have to try several times.

Get some string and tie a slip knot, then wrap the string around a foot or other part that may help to remove the toy.

  • Fish the toy out of the drain

If you can see the toy in the drain, take it out by the end. In some cases, you may be able to get Dino out of the toilet by grabbing the tail or grabbing a part of it by puling slowly with a firm grip.

  • Use a drain cleaner to loosen the toy

To remove the toy, you can also use a de-clogging solution. certain drain cleaners can damage your toilet and damage your skin and lungs, this is more of a last resort.

Drain cleaners are probably already in your home, but if not, you can purchase one at a store. Choosing a natural declogger is the best option.

To protect you and your toilet, use the drain cleaner sparingly if it does contain harmful chemicals.

  • Call a professional plumber

The time and effort have been put into the process, different tools have been employed, and now you need some help. No problem! We cannot control every plumbing situation. Experts are there for that.

Explain the situation to your local plumber. It is likely that they have encountered this issue before. You may not be able to handle an issue alone, but they can.

Worst-Case Scenario: Get a New Toilet

If the blockage cannot be cleared from the toilet (and you are sure it is not in the drain), your last option might be to get a new toilet, especially if the professional cannot unclog the toilet.

Although expensive, this can sometimes be necessary! Before starting fresh with a new toilet, it is usually best to have a plumber walk you through the steps.

Keep These Items Out of Your Toilet

All the below items should not be flushed as they will cause blockages

  • ‘Flushable’ wipes, even though they say flushable, can cause blockages
  • Food and grease
  • Feminine products, tissues, paper towels, and cotton
  • Chewing gum
  • Toys
  • Hair and floss
  • Condoms
  • Diapers
  • Cat litter
  • Makeup wipes

How to Avoid Blockages in the Future?

Explain toilet etiquette to children

Do not let your children flush toys down a toilet, as they may never be able to retrieve them. You should tell your child that flushing a beloved toy down the toilet might lead to him never ever seeing it again.

Several toys can be difficult to replace, in addition to being valuable. It is important to explain the risks to children about the damage they can cause by flushing items down the toilet.

Childproof the bathroom

Making sure the bathroom door is shut and secure at all times is one easy way to keep kids away from the toilet. This can be done in a number of ways.

The door knob can be covered with a cover, or even a small lock can be attached above the height of the child.

Secure the toilet lid

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), among the main drowning hazards in the home for children is the toilet. If you have a young child, make sure your toilet is baby-proof.

You can secure the toilet seat with one of many types of toilet seat locks which can only be opened with a certain process that little children have trouble working out.

Practice what you preach

Your children will follow everything you do. Make sure you are applying good bathroom habits so children will follow.

FAQs

1. What to do if something falls in the toilet?

Ans: Wash the object properly and dry it off. Use chemical disinfectants like rubbing alcohol or bleach to sanitize it. You can also sanitize it by submerging it in boiling water.

About the author

Elizabeth Fincher

Elizabeth started her career as an interior design artist at a multinational interior design farm. She completed her masters degree from the University of North Texas back in 2010. She was also a Spelling Bee runner-up when she was 14. She took interest in bathroom interior designing after joining her first job. Later she started her own firm as an independent artist. She’s been one of the founding members of Toiletsguide. She examines the design and ergonomics of the units we review and directs the interior decoration team of our in-house research facility. Elizabeth plays piano masterfully and always finds time to entertain us in between our busy schedules.

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