Paper towels look like toilet paper, but you shouldn’t flush them down the toilet. Unlike regular toilet paper, paper towels won’t dissolve and break down as easily in water, resulting in clogs and sewage backups when flushed down the toilet. While one or two paper towels won’t likely clog your toilet, continued use will definitely result in nasty clogs.
If you accidentally flush paper towels, make sure you pour about a gallon of hot water into the bowl to dissolve and break them down. Plunging may also help if the toilet is clogged already or draining slowly. Plunge aggressively for about 2 to 5 minutes to clear the clog. But if the plunger proves to be inadequate, use a toilet auger. You can also try a combination of baking soda, hot water, and vinegar to break down the clog effortlessly.
Why Paper Towels Clog Toilets
Because paper towels are designed to absorb more water than toilet paper, they won’t break down in your toilet. If your toilet paper runs out, you can use a paper towel but make sure you just throw it away instead of flushing it down the toilet. You could also use a sponge or a cloth to wipe up and dispose of it appropriately. It’s also a nice idea to install a bidet for your toilet because it lets you keep everything clean and dry – that way, the toilet won’t clog up.
Paper towels are designed to absorb more water than toilet paper, which is why they are found in kitchens. They’re used to absorb liquids that spill on your countertop or other surfaces. But what makes paper towels different is how they are manufactured. They are primarily used for cleaning spilled liquids. Since paper towels are harder to dissolve completely, they are more likely to block your toilet.
There are two key processes involved in producing paper towels:
- Creping
- Embossing
Creping uses blades to break apart the paper bonds woven into it. This allows the creation of more void areas in the paper towel. If a manufacturer uses paper towels with a very high crimped edge, it is possible to cause clogs.
Manufacturers also use a process called embossing to make the paper towels look more interesting. This method of making paper towels smoother also helps manufacturers make more room for water to absorb more easily. A damp paper towel can cause water to be more difficult to flush because the materials in it aren’t as easily dissolved as toilet paper.
How to Fix a Toilet Clogged with Paper Towels
Now you know why it is a big no-no to flush paper towels down your toilet. It’s time to learn a few tricks to fix clogs occasioned by paper towels. Regardless of the cause, using these tips will get you out of the mess.
Step 1: Prepare Your Tools and Working Area
Before you try to clean a clogged toilet, you must prepare your materials and workspace. These are the things that you need to get started.
- Gloves – to protect your hands from germs
- Plunger – To clear minor clogs
- Toilet Auger – To clear more stubborn clogs down the drain pipe
After you get your supplies ready, you should move any rugs that are under your toilet to another area of your house, as they can become messy. You may also want to prop up the toilet paper to make your life a lot simpler.
Step 2: Start Unclogging with a Plunger
If you have a clog, the first thing you should do is use a plunger. Before you plunge your plunger into your toilet, make sure you have a good amount of water in the bowl. If not, you can add more water to your toilet.
You’ll want to put your plunger inside that toilet before you start pushing and pulling hard to get those paper towels out of your pipes. After pulling and pushing rigorously, you’ll get a pretty good workout from pushing paper towels down your pipes! It will help you to create a suction on your pipes that will enable you to pull out the paper towels clogged in them.
Step 3: Upgrade to a Toilet Auger
If nothing works, you may be in a more difficult situation. A regular plunger will not work if there are a lot of clogged-up paper towels in your toilet. You’ll need more substantial reinforcements, such as a toilet auger.
Here’s why an auger works effectively in clearing stubborn toilet clogs:
- It has a barbed head
- It’s long and flexible
- It breaks through solid clogging matter
Place the head inside the bowl and turn the handle to release it. Upon inserting the end of the barbed end into the waste pipe, you’ll likely come across a block. Activate your auger by turning the handle in the right direction.
This will help you break down the blockage in your toilet and get all those useless paper towels out of your way. You may be able to go past the trap and into your drains since the auger can reach a distance of six feet. Say farewell to any clogs that you may have in the pipes.
Step 4: Take Out the Toilet Auger
Hopefully, your pipe is clear now, and you have cleared the obstruction that was caused by the toilet clog. You just need to take care when you take your toilet auger out. Ensure the auger doesn’t rotate on itself, as this can cause it to get stuck. You do not want any of your trash to cling to it and end up on your floor. If that doesn’t work, try doing it a second time.
Avoid Flushing Down Paper Towels
If you want to avoid having a clogged toilet, you can just throw out paper towels or compost them instead of flushing them down the toilet. It will help you avoid nasty toilet clogs. It’s best to stick with regular toilet paper, which is designed to break down quickly at the scent of water. Alternatively, install a bidet for enhanced hygiene without the risk of clogging your toilet system.
