Accordion plungers are specially designed to fit into elongated or oddly-shaped bowls, allowing you to reach and clear clogs more effectively. If the item comes direct from a manufacturer, it may be delivered in non-retail packaging, such as a plain or unprinted box or plastic bag. Traditional plungers are made of porous rubber, which allows bacteria to seep in and is difficult to fully clean. Should you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have a plunger at all, use one of these six plunger-less methods of unclogging a toilet to clear the blockage.

Our antimicrobial toilet plunger with storage tray is a fashionable and functional addition to any bathroom. It is equipped with an accordion-like rubber cup that allows it to fit various toilet bowl sizes and shapes. There are different types of toilet plungers available, so it's important to know what type you need and how to use it properly. When used properly, accordion plungers create a tighter seal and stronger suction to effectively unclog your drain line. This seal is necessary to provide enough pressure to dislodge the clog and is the key to successful toilet plunging.The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links. Finance is provided by PayPal Credit (a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH).

Plunging an overflowing toilet is a messy job, and you should use gloves to avoid coming into contact with bacteria or waste. It may be a good idea to keep on hand one of each of the three kinds of plungers so that you always have the right plunger for the job. The nose on the accordion plunger is even narrower than that on a flange plunger, allowing it to fit inside the toilet drain (as opposed to being more or less squished on top of it), potentially increasing its suction power; however, the accordion plunger’s plastic construction can make getting a good seal trickier than with a flange plunger.Until a couple years ago, I had no idea these other plungers existed or that the cup plunger was so ineffective for toilets.