Buzz
Even if your bathroom is sparkling clean, there could still be hidden odors waiting to escape.
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- To maintain a fresh-smelling bathroom, tackle both inevitable and controllable odors by using cleaning and deodorizing methods.
- Strike odors instantly with matches or targeted deodorizers. Keep cleanliness up to avoid mold, mildew, and bacteria from building up.
- Clean and ventilate your bathroom regularly, wash fabrics, sanitize sponges, clear hair from drains, and deodorize surfaces with baking soda and vinegar to keep the air fresh.
When it comes to bathrooms, the ideal scent of cleanliness is often the absence of any scent. However, achieving that can be tough. Bathrooms are the epicenter of some of the most unpleasant and pungent activities in your home.
There are essentially two types of bathroom odors. First, there are the obvious, unavoidable smells that come from using the bathroom as intended, but there are also subtler odors that can arise in damp, germ-prone areas. To tackle this, address bathroom cleaning and deodorizing from two angles: minimize the effects of unavoidable odors and actively prevent controllable odors from forming in the first place.
When it comes to unavoidable odors, you may already be familiar with the trick of lighting a match in a stinky bathroom. It nearly completely hides the unpleasant smell -- at least for a while. There’s some debate over how a match works to combat odor. It could be the interaction between sulfur dioxide and our sense of smell that makes the organic odor less noticeable. Another theory is that the activated carbon released during combustion neutralizes sulfur in the air. Regardless of the scientific explanation, keep a box of matches and an ashtray in your bathroom to encourage family members and guests to use this old-school air-freshening method. Some people believe it works better than most air fresheners, and it’s certainly affordable.
If you feel like lighting a match is a bit too old-fashioned, odor neutralizing products such as Courtesy Flush and Just a Drop serve as point-of-use deodorizers that claim to work just as effectively. If you think your family or guests will use them, it might be wise to keep a bottle nearby. The concept is simple: add a drop of deodorizer to the toilet before use to prevent odor from spreading. Point-of-use odor neutralizers are personal care products, so carrying a small bottle with you when you’re out can also help you avoid embarrassment in places with poor ventilation. Your host will appreciate your consideration.
Bathroom Odor Prevention Tips
The unavoidable odors from toilet use aren’t the only issue in the bathroom. Bathrooms are often steamy and somewhat damp – a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. To prevent these odors and the health risks they pose, it’s important to keep your bathroom as clean as possible. Establishing a regular cleaning routine is your best defense. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:
- Regularly use your bathroom's exhaust fan. For convenience, wire it to the light switch so it's automatically on whenever the bathroom is in use. This is the most effective way to remove moisture that can seep into cracks, creating a perfect environment for mold, mildew, bacteria, and unpleasant odors.
- If your bathroom has a window, open it from time to time to let fresh air in and vent out steam.
- Make sure to wash towels, shower curtains, window curtains, rugs, and mats regularly.
- Sanitize your cleaning sponges by moistening them and microwaving on high for 2 minutes. This can kill up to 98 percent of bacteria and extend the sponge’s life to a month or more.
- Periodically clear any hair buildup from bathroom drains. This keeps them smelling fresher and ensures they run efficiently.
- Wipe and dry personal care product containers that sit on your countertops or in the shower. Moisture tends to collect beneath them, creating a bacteria-friendly environment.
- Use liners in your bathroom's wastepaper basket and dispose of trash at least once a week.
- Thoroughly clean your toilet, including the bowl, tank, seat, lid, and the area at the base and back. Various products are available to handle tough toilet jobs, but whether you choose eco-friendly or traditional cleaners, ensure your toilet is always pristine.
- Regularly clean your shower enclosure, tub, and glass doors. While soap scum itself doesn’t smell bad, it can trap dirt, dead skin, oils, and hair, which can eventually lead to unpleasant odors.
- Use a mixture of one part chlorine bleach and five parts water to clean grout and caulk. This solution kills bacteria, mold, and mildew that can cause odors, while also reducing mildew-related dark spots.
- Deodorize your drains with baking soda and vinegar. Pour a cup of baking soda into your sink and tub drains, leaving it for a couple of hours. Afterward, add a cup of white vinegar to each drain, wait 5 minutes, then rinse with hot water. The baking soda neutralizes odors, and the bubbling action from the vinegar helps dislodge any gunk. Repeat this process monthly.
- Freshen your bathroom air by adding a few drops of essential oil to a dish of potpourri or a few cotton balls placed in a bowl. For just a small investment, your bathroom will smell delightful for hours. Essential oils come in a variety of scents, and a little goes a long way.
If you’re sure your bathroom is clean but still notice a bad smell coming from the toilet, check the water level in the bowl. Lowering the water level can save money and conserve water, but if it’s too low, odors from the pipes may start to seep into the room. Adjust the water level in the toilet tank to see if the smell disappears. If the odor persists, the wax seal at the base of the toilet might need replacing, so consult a plumber.
