Most people will struggle with bad bathroom odors at some point. Neglecting the bathroom is common for first-time homeowners and students or young people living alone for the first time. Unfortunately, you will rarely find a definitive list of important ways to remove the smell. Additionally, many online posts, such as the ones you can find on social media, are sponsored, and they are trying to sell a product. However, sometimes there is an emergency, and you will require an immediate solution for your home. To help you keep your bathroom clean, we have compiled this full-proof list of helpful advice on the 3 best ways to remove bathroom odors. There are other things you can do, of course, but a healthy mix of these three actions will render those other ways unnecessary.
Use natural products
The first and most health-oriented way to remove bathroom odors is using natural products for your bathroom upkeep. Let’s go into further details so you can get some ideas on what to do and why. Commercial cleaning supplies are heavily processed and full of powerful acidic chemicals. While they help with a deep cleaning of your bathroom, they also leave a strong chemical residue in the air, which can make a very pungent odor. So, before you start trying to mask foul smells, avoid them entirely by using natural cleaning supplies. This is one of the best ways to remove bathroom odors that come from chemicals. There are many recipes online if you want to make them yourself, but you can also buy them in the store.
Cleaning supplies are commonly made with baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. Of course, it is essential to occasionally use stronger cleaning supplies for deeper cleaning. But at least do your best to avoid using them all the time, as they can also be very unhealthy.
You can also find recipes online to make your own natural cleaning product as one of the ways to remove bathroom odors.
Natural DIY air fresheners
Many air fresheners contain chemicals called phthalates. Along with other compounds which are toxic to living beings (especially your pets), they create a more moist atmosphere in your bathroom. Phthalates are supposed to make the effect long-lasting; however, this makes an even better area for mold to develop. In the short term, air fresheners will fix your bathroom odor problem. However, it will just worsen the situation in the long run. That is why avoiding them is one of the most significant ways to remove bathroom odors.
You can avoid chemical fresheners by making your do-it-yourself bathroom freshness spray. Mix 3/4 cup water, two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, and five to six drops of essential oil in an eight-ounce spray bottle. There are many options, but our recommendations are:
- orange,
- lavender,
- mint,
- grapefruit,
- lemon verbena.
Natural bathroom odor absorbers
If you want to use bathroom odor absorbers and neutralizers, we recommend choosing between bamboo charcoal and smokers’ candles. Bamboo charcoal is a product that absorbs both foul odors and any harmful chemicals that can be found in the air. Its other benefit is the fact that it helps with dehumidifying air. That, in turn, minimizes the risk of mold and mildew development. You can look for deodorizers and other products with this ingredient.
Smoker’s candles are candles that are specially designed to absorb the smell of cigarette smoke. The reason this is another one of the ways to remove bathroom odors is that it can also absorb any other bad smell. Keep in mind that fresheners and odor absorbers can only do so much. If you are looking for a long-term solution, you should consider upgrading your bathroom plumbing.
Hoarding cleaning products as a way to remove bathroom odors is absurd since it only makes more odors.
Decluttering is a great way to remove bathroom odors
Taking a couple of hours off your schedule to be able to throw away anything that you don’t need from your bathroom can help remove bad odors in many ways. We are all guilty of holding on to items in our bathroom that we do not need anymore in the hopes that they will come in handy one day. Whether it’s an almost empty mascara tube or an old toothbrush you plan on using for cleaning hard-to-reach small areas, you should throw it away if it takes up extra space right now. Hoarding can be especially unnecessary for things you know can easily be replaced later on.
Keeping your bathroom clutter free is important because the more unnecessary items you have in your bathroom, the harder it is to clean it properly. An example of this would be having too many self-care products (shampoos, shower gels, body lotions) in your shower. If these things are taking up an entire corner of your bathtub, you will probably skip out on cleaning that corner so you wouldn’t have to move all of it. Then the moisture and dirt give way to odors and mold.
If you are going to need it, put it away
Another smart thing to do as a way to remove bathroom odors is to put away anything you do not need in your bathroom right now. So if you like buying cleaning supplies and fabric detergent in bulk, finding a place to store it outside your bathroom will help tremendously. You can either use your shed or rent a storage unit where you can also store other items. Storage services can come in handy since they let you find an adequate place to keep excess items, and you will have fewer odors.
Cleaning regularly is one of the best ways to remove bathroom odors
Of course, the most obvious of ways to remove bathroom odors is also the most important one. Clean your bathroom often and well. Like dust and dirt, smells can accumulate over time. You can reduce bathroom odors and keep them in check by doing many small things. Clean your toilet brush with bleach, wipe down the floor and sink to eliminate hair and dander buildup, and scrub the toilet bowl regularly.
Some strong cleaning products can remove mold and mildew from bathroom surfaces. However, as previously stated, they also leave behind strong chemical odors. Those can lead to headaches and other health risks. You can eliminate mold naturally by spraying undiluted vinegar onto areas where you notice it developing. After that, wait an hour and rinse with hot water. It would be best if you also dried it with a towel after.
Ask your plumber to check your pipes for any clogs which can create bathroom odors.
Plumbing check-up for pipes
Regular plumbing check-ups can also significantly help remove bathroom odors. Ask your plumber to see if there is any clogging or excess dirt buildup in your pipes. They can also tell you whether it is time to get a new water heater installed, etc. Another tip is to ask your plumber if he can recommend some natural cleaning supplies and ways to remove bathroom odors.
In conclusion
As we have said, there is a lot you can do to make your bathroom smell nice. However, following these important ways to remove bathroom odors will be enough to make your bathroom smell good and render any additional work unnecessary.