When potty training your toddler, you may quickly and unexpectedly find out how enthused they can be to flush things down the toilet, including their favorite bath toys! In such an instance, knowing how to get a toy out of the toilet safely and efficiently is essential.
Fortunately, this task doesn’t have to be daunting – just a quick search online will easily uncover various ways to rescue it from the mucky depths of your plumbing system. From creative options for fish-them-out methods like using gloves or chopsticks wrapped in tape compared to more technical approaches with snake tools or plunger suction cups, there are plenty of practical solutions out there that could work for your particular case.
After fussing through all the potential methods available today, I’ll guide you through how to get toy out of toilet steps so that you can successfully get toys out of toilets.
What Will You Need?
To start off, here’s a list of the basic materials you’ll need to get any toy out of the toilet:
- A pair of thick rubber gloves
- A wire or metal coat hanger
- Duct tape and masking tape
- Plunger with suction cup attachment
- Snake tool (optional)
- Bucket for the water in the toilet bowl to be emptied into
Once you have all the necessary materials gathered up and ready, you can then proceed to the following steps.
10 Easy Steps on How to Get Toy Out of Toilet
Step 1: Empty Out the Toilet Bowl.
Before attempting to retrieve the toy, you’ll want to empty out as much water from the toilet bowl as possible. Using a bucket, scoop out all available water and transfer it into said vessel. Be careful not to splash the water all around, as it could get else into other rooms and make a bigger mess.
Step 2: Put on Your Protective Gear.
Due to the nature of this task, it’s highly important that you protect yourself from any potential risks associated with contact between your skin (or eyes) and what may possibly be inside the vile waters. Make sure to put on your rubber gloves before continuing with anything else. If you want to be extra careful, you may also consider wearing protective eyewear or any other clothing that can cover up your skin.
Step 3: Construct A Fish-Them-Out Device.
Using either a wire hanger or coat hanger and some duct/masking tape, construct an implement that could potentially fish out your lost toy by wrapping one end into a hook-like shape. You can also use chopsticks as well, just make sure they’re securely fastened together with tape. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look particularly pretty; its primary purpose is safely and effectively retrieving your toy from the toilet.
Step 4: Locate the Toy.
Using the fish-them-out device you’ve just constructed, attempt to locate the toy in the toilet bowl by moving the tool around and feeling for any bumps or lumps that could indicate its whereabouts. You can strengthen your odds of success by turning on the light inside the bathroom and getting down and at eye level with the toilet bowl. It will give you better visibility and insight into what’s inside.
Step 5: Try to Hook Out the Toy with Your Device.
Once you’ve located your target object, try to hook out of it using your makeshift tool – gently guide the hooked end of your implement towards its direction and slowly lift it up until you safely trap it in between the coils. Remember to be gentle and patient, as too much force could potentially damage the toy or cause it to break apart in the process. You can use the other end of your device to nudge it around if needed.
Step 6: Try Using the Plunger.
Take the plunger and connect the suction cup attachment to its base. Then place it over the toilet bowl opening so that it covers up any air pockets within the water’s surface. Now press down and pull up with strong force until you feel a suctioning effect between your tool and whatever is at the bottom of your plumbing system.
Step 7: Use A Snake Tool (If Necessary).
If all else fails, then using a snake tool could be your last resort to retrieve the toy – just make sure to have an adult supervise you for this activity for safety reasons. Uncoil its cable and insert it into the toilet bowl’s opening. Then, create a sort of “hook” at the end of your tool and attempt to use this as a means to capture the toy from its depths.
Step 8: Remove the Toy from Your Tool.
Once you’ve successfully managed to trap the toy with either your fish-them-out device or snake tool, carefully remove it from whichever implement you used. Be careful not to drop it back into the toilet water! Because of the bacteria and other pollutants, cleaning off the toy with warm soapy water is best before giving it back to your child. And there you have it – your toy has been retrieved!
Step 9: Reassemble the Toilet Bowl (If Necessary).
If any parts within the bowl were detached during your retrieval mission, put them back in place accordingly. For instance, if you had used a plunger and suction cup combination and taken apart some of its components, then make sure to reassemble everything back correctly before testing out the toilet again. Don’t forget to flush a few times so all the chunks and debris can be cleared.
Step 10: Clean Up After Yourself.
Before you leave the bathroom and mark this mission as a success, be sure to dispose of all your protective gear (aka rubber gloves) in an appropriate manner – such as in a rubbish bin or designated disposal area. Also, wipe away any water that may have spilled on the surrounding floor with a cloth or tissue paper. Keep your bathroom clean and tidy!
By following these ten easy steps, you should be able to successfully get your toy out of the toilet and save yourself some toilet-related trouble in the long run!
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
1. Use a Long Stick: If the toy is too far down, use a long stick or other objects to help you reach it.
2. Use a Bucket: Try using a small bucket with a handle to help you scoop the toy out of the toilet.
3. Use Rubber Gloves: Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands from bacteria while you try to get the toy out.
4. Don’t flush: Avoid flushing the toilet, as this may push the toy further down and make it harder to retrieve.
5. Use a Plumbing Snake: If all else fails, try using a plumbing snake or auger to help you grab hold of the toy and pull it up. This is likely your last resort but can be very effective if done carefully and correctly. Just make sure not to damage any pipes in the process!
With these tips and tricks in mind, you should be well-equipped to get that toy out of the toilet.
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Do not attempt to reach in and pull the toy out with your hands. This can be extremely dangerous, as it exposes you to contact with bacteria and germs.
- Avoid turning on garbage disposals or any other electric appliances near water sources when attempting to retrieve items from toilets.
- Don’t use chemical cleaners, such as bleach or drain openers, as they are known to damage plumbing pipes and create hazardous conditions for both humans and pets when used in toilets or sinks containing standing water.
- Keep children away during retrieval attempts; accidents can and do happen, so it’s important to be cautious.
- Refrain from using tools for fishing out the toy; they can scratch or damage the porcelain of your toilet bowl.
Avoiding these five actions can help you safely remove toys from the toilet and prevent any further damage to your plumbing system. If all else fails, it’s best to call a professional plumber with the right tools and experience to help you out. Remember, when it comes to plumbing issues, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Conclusion
It’s always scary when you find your child’s toy in the toilet, but with the right tools and tips, it can be fixed! You can use basic household items like a pair of heavy-duty rubber gloves, a bowl, and an old rag to retrieve the toy without breaking out the plunger. You may also try nailing down some plastic mesh netting to your toilet seat, providing a barrier that toys won’t be able to slip through.
If all else fails, remember that you can call a plumber for help anytime. It is important to arm yourself with knowledge before any accidents happen, as times like these require quick action as well as careful extraction of objects from water-logged areas.
Hopefully, this post on how to get toy out of toilet has provided you with enough information and helpful tips to make sure retrieving toys from the toilet is one morning surprise that you won’t have to face again anytime soon!
