Can Hair Clog a Toilet? (+6 Great Methods for Clearing it)

While clogging the toilet with a bowel movement is the most embarrassing way to merit the use of a plunger, there are other ways your toilet can become clogged. In this article, I will address the question, “Can hair clog a toilet?” In addition, I’ll detail 6 great methods for clearing that debris. Stick around to learn more about how hair and other agents can clog your toilet.

While flushing clumps of hair down the toilet likely won’t obstruct the toilet drain itself, hair tends to stick to the inside of pipes, leading to debris buildup over time. If flushed regularly, over a period of time, hair can absolutely clog a toilet. It’s best just to throw clumps of hair away rather than flush them.

Human hair doesn’t decompose or dissolve easily. It may take some time before that happens. For this reason, flushing clumps of hair is never a good idea. Read on to learn more!     

Can Hair Clog a Toilet? If Yes, How?

Hair generally clogs the toilet over a long period of time. The following are ways flushing clumps of hair can lead to a clog:

1. Hair Clings onto the Drain’s Imperfections

Hair usually gets caught in imperfections on the drain pipes. From dents to rough edges, hair easily gets trapped. As it gets trapped in these drain imperfections, it catches the waste that flows through the drain. This can lead to a buildup of debris and can result in a clogged toilet.

2. Hair Rolls Into A Ball

Hair can also roll into a ball that catches everything going down the drain, including human waste. As it does, the ball, which is now a clog, acts like a spider web for everything else that gets flushed. Eventually, you’ll end up with a clogged toilet.

3. Hair Decomposes Slowly

The other issue is that even though hair decomposes eventually, the decomposition is much slower than most materials. This means that even if you only flush a little bit of hair from time to time, eventually, it can build up to sufficient amounts to clog your toilet.

Is It Safe to Put Hair in The Toilet?

Sadly, hair doesn’t dissolve into toilet wastewater quickly, and it also takes time to decompose. Meanwhile, it traps waste and everything that goes through it, resulting in a giant clog.

This also attracts bacteria, which is likely to create a foul smell. It’s generally not a good idea to put hair in the toilet. Instead, simply throw it away! 

How Do You Unclog a Toilet with Hair in It?

Given the risks that come with flushing hair down the toilet, it’s essential to know how to unclog your toilet in the event that the hair causes your pipes to get backed up.

1. Hot Water Flush

In case of a minor hair clog, you can pour hot water down the toilet to remove the clog. Generally, you need to pour boiling water into the drain and allow it to sit for some time before flushing normally.

If the clog doesn’t dislodge, fill a small bucket with water and pour it into the bowl as you’re flushing the toilet. This should create enough force to dislodge the clog, but if it doesn’t, grab the plunger.

2. The Plunger

If you have a plunger, grab it in this situation and place it into the bowl so that it covers the drain hole. Press the rubber device down so that it creates suction over the hole, then push and pull the plunger 5-6 times before releasing. Eventually, the water trapped in the drain should create enough pressure to force the clog through the pipes, creating a nice flush.

3. The drain ‘Snake’

If you have a drain snake or toilet auger, it may come in handy here. With a toiler auger, you can get rid of the blockage in the deepest ends of your toilet drains.

You need to insert it into the drain and push and pull on it to dislodge the clog.

While it’s possible to make the ‘snake’ using wire, you can buy a commercial one online. My recommendation is the Rigid Toilet Auger.

This toilet auger comes with a solid stainless steel rod that promises to dislodge the biggest and most stubborn clogs.

4. Baking Soda + Vinegar

If you are dealing with a stubborn clog, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar will do the magic. You need to:

• Prepare a mug each of baking soda and vinegar
• Start by pouring baking soda into the toilet
• Follow it up with vinegar and allow the mixture to act
• Watch out for bubbles, as they are a sign that the combination is working
• Try flushing hot water down the drain after 30 minutes of the mixture working. That should dislodge the clog

5. Soap + Baking Soda

You can also use baking soda and dishwashing soap if you don’t have vinegar.

Here is how to go about it:

• First, pour a cup of baking soda into the drain
• Follow it up with a quarter cup of dishwasher soap
• Allow the mixture to sit for at least 5 minutes
• Flush the drain with hot water to dislodge the clog

6. Use Drano

Drano, which is a commercial clog remover, is effective against severe clogs. So consider it for unclogging hair clog in your toilet. Of Drano’s current product line, I recommend the Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover.

This Drano is gentle on your pipes and generally acts in minutes. More importantly, it’s effective against human hair clogs and other stubborn debris.

Relevant: Can You Leave Drano Overnight?

What Should You Do with Human Hair instead of flushing it?

Since it’s not advisable to flush human hair down the toilet, consider getting rid of it by either of these methods:

1. Throw it in the trash

The simplest way of getting rid of human hair is to put it in a trash bag alongside your other waste. Hair is a natural waste product, and though it may take a while to biodegrade, it will eventually do so.

2. Compost it

Most people don’t know that human hair and pet fur are compostable. When it composts, it’s a rich source of nitrogen that could benefit the soil. So, if you have the space, consider composting your hair. It’s an environmentally efficient approach.

Does a Hair-Clogged Toilet Eventually Unclog Itself?

Given that human hair dissolves slowly in wastewater, it’s unlikely to dissolve and unclog in a timely manner. That, however, doesn’t mean that you have to sit back and wait for things to happen. It could take forever for the toilet to unclog itself. Take action by following some of the steps outlined in this article.

Can Hair Clog a Toilet Summary

Undoubtedly, hair can clog your toilet, though it will do so bit by bit. This could lead to an extensive clog which could make your toilet smelly and inoperable. Flushing hair down the toilet is never a good idea. If you’re experiencing a hair-clogged toilet, try some of the methods in this article to unclog it.

Relevant:

• Can Adults Use Baby Wipes Instead Of Toilet Paper?
• Why is My Toilet Handle Hard to Push Down?
• Why is Black Stuff Coming Out of Shower Drain?