Ever walk into the bathroom, only to be hit with a symphony of unpleasant smells? We’re talking odours so suspicious, they should be brought in for questioning.
You can’t simply close the door on an olfactory crime scene. The culprit must be identified to restore harmony to your sacred space.
Follow along as we call out the usual suspects, explore natural solutions, and offer practical measures for preventing bad bathroom smells.
What are the common sources of bathroom smells?
Nobody wants a stinky bathroom, but… throne room odours are inevitable.
These unwelcome smells don’t appear out of nowhere. Track down the source by investigating some common culprits.
Sewage smells: when pipes play foul
Plumbing problems are the primary suspects for sewage stink. While some hide in plain sight, others lurk beneath the surface.
Sewage smells in the bathroom might come from clogs, leaks or faulty parts. Ventilation issues and dried-out sink P-traps are other culprits to consider, as they lead to trapped gases and foul odours.
Don’t be a hero — call a professional plumber to assess the situation that a simple cleanup can’t fix.
Stinky sinks: unmasking drain odours
Bathroom sink smells come from bacterial buildup or trapped debris. These pile up over time due to hair, soap scum and toothpaste. With moisture and time, this gunk develops into a slimy, black substance that clings to surfaces and causes clogs.
When your sink emits a funk, remove the stopper and clean the drain thoroughly. Slow drains and pooling water are common signs that there’s a blockage. A combination of baking soda and white vinegar can break up minor clogs and eliminate unpleasant smells.
Then, grab a drain snake to finish the job. They’re inexpensive, easy to use, and highly effective.
Additional odour offenders to watch out for
Don’t count out sneaky suspects, such as:
Trash bins
Mildew
Dirty towels
Bathroom mats
Old sponges
These offenders often slip through the cracks unnoticed, but their smells scream for attention. Scour the corners of your bathroom to find the source, and clean up with reusable plant-based cloths and your favourite cleaning solution.
Use 100% recycled trash bags as liners to keep bins clean and make disposal easy. Bring in replacements for items with lingering stains or smells that won’t quit.
Four natural cleaning solutions to remove bad smells
Bathroom stenches won’t go away on their own. Stop holding your breath and clear the air with these chemical free remedies.
1. Vinegar: the versatile odour neutraliser
Say hello to your dependable sergeant in the battle against bathroom smells: vinegar.
This reliable, inexpensive substance does it all: fights drain stench, deodorises dirty surfaces, clears up toilet residue, freshens tiles and breaks down odours by neutralising them at the source. Keep this all-purpose solution as a staple cleaning supply.
2. Baking soda: the all-mighty smell absorber
Baking soda isn’t just useful in the kitchen. It’s also your secret weapon for an ultra-clean bathroom. This no-nonsense, natural powerhouse effectively absorbs odours without harsh chemicals.
Sprinkle it in your trash bin and on bathroom mats. Pour it down drains and into the toilet. Place some in a jar and store it under the sink for constant odour protection, replacing it every 30 days to keep things fresh.
3. Essential oils for fresh aromatherapy
Don’t mask odours with overpowering chemicals. Instead, use essential oils to transform the bathroom into a spa oasis.
Dropping zesty lemon, refreshing tea tree or invigorating eucalyptus into a diffuser creates a welcoming space. Combine oils with vinegar to create cleaning sprays, or with baking soda to make DIY air fresheners.
4. Plant power for natural air purification
Let the champions of nature absorb bad odours and other airborne pollutants.
Certain plants, such as snake plants, spider plants, and peace lilies, are recognised for their ability to remove toxins from the air. Plus, they enhance your bathroom style — plant power for the win.
Preventative measures: How to stop bathroom smells before they occur
Stopping smells at the source is the best way to maintain a fragrant bathroom. Prevent malodours from taking hold with these tips:
The importance of ventilation and airflow
Maintaining proper ventilation and airflow is crucial for preventing odours. Use the bathroom fan and open windows regularly to keep the air fresh and circulating. Nip airflow issues in the bud by immediately repairing broken vents.
Maintain a consistent cleaning routine
A consistent bathroom cleaning routine will prevent smells before anyone can catch a whiff of them. Rely on daily, weekly and monthly cleaning chores to stay ahead of the stench.
Wipe down the toilet, sink and countertops daily. Sanitise germy spots like the toilet seat, toilet handle and faucet handles after use.
For your weekly refresh, add these tasks to the family chore wheel:
Empty garbage bins
Wash towels and bath mats
Wipe down mirrors and windows
Sweep and mop the bathroom floor
Cleanse the sink, shower, and toilet with natural cleaning supplies
Refill your DIY air fresheners and diffusers
Replenish accessories (hand soaps, candles, toilet sprays, etc.) as needed
Once a month, the throne room also needs a deep clean to stop smells in their tracks. Take a scrub brush to the sink, shower, and toilet to find the grime that hides in corners and other overlooked surfaces. Cleaning baseboards, the ventilation fan, and any cabinetry is also suggested if you’ve got the time.
Avoid using traditional single-use wipes and paper towels for these chores. Instead, opt for eco-friendly paper towel alternatives throughout your home.
Keep pipes clear
Pipes are out of sight but shouldn’t be out of mind. Preserve them by regularly checking for leaks and corrosion, monitoring your water pressure, and addressing any maintenance needs promptly.
Maintain free flowing pipes by blocking hair and debris with a drain cover in the shower and sink. Never put anything down the drains that doesn’t belong there.
Choose toilet paper wisely
Last but not least, make informed choices about your toilet paper.
Why does this matter?
Many traditional options take longer to disintegrate, contributing to plumbing problems, clogs and buildup that lead to smelly scenarios.
Thankfully, some types of toilet paper, such as recycled toilet paper or bamboo alternatives, break down more easily. Purchasing high-quality products like these from ethical companies helps keep your bathroom clean and makes a positive difference.
Conclusion – A sweet farewell to unpleasant smells
Consider the case of the smelly bathroom cracked. Now you know who to call for backup when it comes to offensive odours.
Using proper ventilation, establishing a cleaning routine, and keeping pipes clear are all important activities that eliminate any trace of stench.
While vinegar neutralises stink and baking soda absorbs it, essential oils add freshness, and plants purify the air. No harsh chemicals required, ever.
Make sure your toilet paper doesn’t do your pipes dirty, either. Check out the Who Gives a Crap Bathroom Collection for TP you can flush fearlessly.