Buzz
If you can't shake that persistent bathroom odor, take a look at the toilet tank. stocknroll/e+/Getty ImagesMost bathroom odors are easy to pinpoint, given the nature of this often-sealed room. Thus, getting rid of the majority of bathroom smells is a simple (albeit unpleasant) task.
But sometimes, a bathroom mystery occurs, with a lingering smell that won't disappear even after routine cleaning. The toilet bowl is spotless. The shower is fresh. So, what’s that stubborn scent?
You may want to lift the lid of the toilet tank.
While most people overlook the toilet tank, the water sitting inside it can cause odors — usually musty ones linked to mold and mildew, which thrive in any damp, enclosed space. Just like in your shower.
Cleaning a toilet tank isn’t too difficult, but the simple trick of just adding bleach, used by some, can actually harm certain parts of the tank. So, what do you do when you discover the tank is the source of the smell?
First, ask everyone else in your home to use a different bathroom for a while, as this process may take some time...
How to Remove Odors from Your Toilet Tank
You'll find plenty of quick odor solutions in the cleaning section. The simplest method is dropping a bleach-based puck into the tank and walking away. However, as mentioned, bleach can wear down rubber parts like seals and floats, making it a less-than-ideal option for toilet tank cleaning.
A more effective method is to use vinegar, liquid soap, or baking soda as your cleaning agents.
The process is easy:
- Gather your cleaning tools: Towel, cleaner, long-handled scrubber (a toilet-bowl brush works fine), and gloves.
- Take off the tank lid and place it on a towel to avoid dirt on your floor or bath mat.
- To limit water in the tank, lift the float (this makes the tank think it’s full) and gently secure it to the flush valve. Flush once to drain the tank, leaving just a small amount of water.
- Add your cleaner to the tank: A few tablespoons of liquid soap, a half cup of white vinegar, or a half cup of baking soda. Swish it around with the brush to mix it up.
- Use the long-handled brush to gently scrub the tank's bottom and sides with the cleaner-water mixture. You may not get it perfectly clean at this step, and that's okay.
- Let the cleaner sit for several hours in the tank.
- Scrub again. By now, the tank should be clean.
- Release the float so the tank refills, then flush a few times (until the cleaner is completely washed away).
- Put the lid back on. Enjoy.
Once you finish this process, the mysterious odor should be gone. But before you dive in, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind...
Advice for Eliminating Odors from Your Toilet Tank
Before you begin tackling the odor issue, keep this in mind:
Black Mold: If you notice dark, spotty growth on the interior walls of your tank, it could be black mold. This mold poses health risks, so clean the tank immediately, ensuring all of it is removed.
Using Bleach: Sometimes, the odor problem might be too tough for mild cleaners, and bleach might become necessary. If you go this route, dilute it first with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. Only increase the strength if absolutely needed.
Safety Precautions: When using bleach or other potent chemicals, always take safety measures. Wear gloves and a mask, ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated (open a window or use a fan), and never combine different chemicals in the tank.
Quick Fix: Got company arriving in an hour? Light a match in the bathroom to temporarily mask any unpleasant odors with the less-offensive (and, to some, actually pleasant) scent of sulfur dioxide. A candle will also do the trick, but just make sure to never leave it unattended.
The best way to permanently eliminate that musty tank smell? After cleaning the tank, follow up with a regular maintenance routine. Checking the tank a few times a year will help ensure you won't need to scramble for a solution at the last minute.
For more information on bathroom odors, mold, and general household cleaning topics, check out the links provided below.
If you detect a sulfur-like odor from your toilet tank, it may be caused by certain bacteria in your well water. This issue can be addressed through chlorination methods, so reach out to your local water authority to report it.
