If you think your bathroom smells fine, try stepping outside and taking another whiff. Chances are, you’ll realize it doesn’t smell as fresh as you thought it did and that’s because the smell lingers long after the bathroom has been used. In fact, the smell can last for hours if not eliminated properly and promptly. A smelly bathroom can come from any number of things but regardless of how it started, you can learn how to remove bathroom smell through these seven tips.
1) Don’t Overclean
Did you know that overcleaning could actually be making your bathroom smell worse? Every time you spray disinfectant, it creates a layer of chemicals on your surfaces. These chemicals are then left behind when they dry, which means more layers of gunk form each time you clean. If these layers aren’t removed through a good scrubbing with soap and water they can dry out and become permanent. Eventually, you’ll have so much chemical buildup that even after a thorough cleaning, everything will still smell off! To remove the bathroom smell, simply use warm water and some dish soap to give your sink, toilet, tub, and shower a good scrub every week or two.
You should also try not to use air fresheners or plug-ins because many of them contain
harsh chemicals that just make things worse in the long run. For example, if
you place an air fresher near your toilet, those chemicals may seep into its
plumbing and cause smells to linger there instead of dissipating throughout
your home. Instead, opt for natural ways to eliminate odors such as keeping a
potpourri bowl next to your trashcan or putting essential oils (like lavender)
in a diffuser. If nothing seems to work and your bathroom is always ranked no
matter how hard you scrub, it might be time for professional help! There may be
mold growing behind walls or under tiles where all of those nooks and crannies
provide ample hiding space.
2) Use Charcoal Filters on Air
Vents
This can help eliminate mold and
mildew spores that give off that unpleasant odor. You can find charcoal filters
at any hardware store, but make sure you buy ones specifically made for use
with bathroom vent fans. Once installed, replace your filters every three
months or so, depending on how much time you spend in your bathroom each day.
This is a simple way to get rid of bad smells once and for all plus it’s a
great solution if other methods haven’t worked out as well as you had hoped!
(It also works great for cars!) 2) Run an Air Purifier: If you have pets,
running an air purifier will not only help keep allergens under control (which
can improve your overall health) but will also filter out airborne bacteria
and dust mites that might be making you sneeze when they settle onto surfaces
like sinks and tubs. Air purifiers are inexpensive (even portable options) and
will work hard to keep things clean without having to deep-clean them often. And
remember The better things smell, the more likely you are to want to spend
time there! Keep your bathrooms smelling fresh by turning on an air purifier
before bedtime or after a shower.
3) Put Baking Soda Down the Drain
The bicarbonate in baking soda is great at neutralizing sulfur-based odors, so throwing some down your drain once a week will help combat those unwanted bathroom smells. Once you’ve put it down there, let it sit for about 30 minutes, then rinse it with hot water. Bonus: baking soda also cuts through soap scum so it’ll leave your drains looking clean and shiny too! Be sure to follow up with vinegar or bleach no matter how well you scrub them, sinks and bathtubs can still be covered in germs if they aren’t sanitized regularly. Make these two products part of your weekly cleaning routine and you’ll protect yourself from all kinds of grossness.
Baking Soda Soap Dispenser Cleaner: Soap scum on your soap dispenser is one of
those things that’s hard to notice until you see it. If left alone long enough,
though, that buildup can eventually spread into other areas of your bathroom
like sink faucets and even toilet handles. Luckily it’s super easy to get rid
of using just baking soda and warm water. Just mix equal parts baking soda and
warm water together (1/2 cup each should do) into a small bowl or cup, dip a
sponge into it, squeeze out any excess liquid, and rub gently over surfaces
that have buildup until everything looks sparkling again.
4) Pour Vinegar Down the Drain
Not only is vinegar great at
removing soap scum, but it’s also a powerful odor remover. Before you shower,
pour 1 cup of white vinegar down your drain. Then let it sit for an hour before
scrubbing it with your standard brush and warm water. The sour smell will be
replaced by lemony freshness in no time! If you want to skip that step, just
add 1⁄2 cup of baking soda and 1⁄2 cup of vinegar to your drain once a month.
As they fizz together, they’ll eliminate any lingering smells from hair
products or whatever else has been dumped into that sink over time.
5) Use Lemon Juice or Bleach
Consider cleaning your bathroom
with a citrus cleaner like lemon juice or vinegar. Citrus cleaners are known
for their disinfecting properties and often have antibacterial and antifungal
agents that can kill odors at their source. If you’re looking to remove smells
instead of kill them, go with white vinegar its scent is milder and it cleans
effectively by dissolving soap scum, grime, hard water stains, and mildew. You
could also mix half vinegar and half water in a spray bottle and use it
throughout your bathroom whenever you need to freshen up an area quickly. Or,
use baking soda if you’re in a pinch; its odor-absorbing powers can leave your
bathroom smelling clean. Just sprinkle some on any lingering odors and let sit
for 30 minutes before vacuuming. If you want to get rid of more than just
smells, consider replacing your shower curtain liner with a non-porous plastic
one that won’t absorb moisture and mold. Also, make sure all surfaces are
smooth so there aren't any areas where dirt or mold can collect. And lastly,
replace your toilet brush every couple of months because bacteria tend to build up
on bristles over time.
6) Clean Your Toothbrush
The inside of your showerhead is a breeding ground for odor. The mineral deposits that collect in your showerhead can cause musty smells and gunk buildup, so it's important to clean it at least once a month with vinegar. After turning off your shower, run some vinegar through it and then rinse thoroughly with water; you'll see an immediate difference in how fresh your bathroom smells. It also helps keep your pipes from clogging over time. Additionally, always wipe down surfaces like sinks, showers, and bathtubs after each use once you develop good cleaning habits (like making sure there's no residue left behind), those nasty toilet smells will stay away even longer.
Be aware that if you have an issue with your plumbing system,
these tips won't solve it on their own. But they're a great start toward
keeping things smelling fresh! Toss Your Towels: Even if they're soft and
fluffy, towels can hold onto bacteria because they're used to wipe off wet
areas where bacteria grow (think of all those times you've wiped yourself dry
after getting out of the shower or tub). This means not only do they get stinky
quickly but they also put harmful germs back on your body every time you use
them. If your towels are particularly stinky or haven't been washed regularly,
throw them out altogether; otherwise, wash them regularly using bleach (the
natural kind works too) to remove any leftover bacteria from days past.
7) Clean Your Showerhead
Ever wonder why your bathroom smells musty? The smell is usually coming from buildup on your showerhead. But don’t throw it away just yet you can easily clean it yourself. Just soak a cleaning cloth or sponge in vinegar and wring out most of the liquid. Then, take that damp cloth and hold it against your showerhead for about five minutes. Next, wipe down your showerhead with soap and hot water, being sure to scrub in between all crevices, then finish by rinsing off with warm water and vinegar once again. Don’t forget to run hot water over your showerhead after you have finished so that any leftover deposits can be flushed out completely. Your bathroom will smell much better afterward! While Cleaning Your Showerhead:
Do not use harsh chemicals like bleach as they can discolor and
deteriorate the plastic. Also, avoid using scented cleaners as they contain strong
chemicals that may cause an allergic reaction if you come into contact with
them while cleaning your showerhead. Vinegar also works well when used in conjunction
with baking soda. Soak a cloth in white vinegar, squeeze out excess liquid,
place the cloth on top of dry baking soda (about one teaspoon), let sit overnight
and then brush clean before rinsing thoroughly. Ingredients: 1/2 cup distilled
white vinegar (preferably apple cider) 2 cups water 6 drops peppermint
essential oil (optional) Spray bottle Step One - Boil some water; set aside to
cool for about 10 minutes.
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