If you’ve walked past your
bathroom and got hit with a nasty odor, it can be unpleasant, but it can also make you hesitant to let guests use the facilities. Whether the smell is a result of poor maintenance or main made, if you want a sweet smelling bathroom, you need to eliminate those nasty odors. Fortunately, you don’t need to resort to masking the smell with air, and we have some tips to help you tackle the problem at its source.
Odor Removal Methods
One of the most effective ways to remove any unpleasant smells from your bathroom is through ventilation. Most bathrooms have a small exhaust fan that was installed for this purpose. Using the fan should allow you to remove any unpleasant odors and excess moisture from the bathroom. This is an essential task as excess moisture from your morning shower can allow mildew and mold to start developing, creating a musty and nasty smell.
If your fan is not able to entirely remove that odor, you will need to think about freshening the air. Store bought air fresheners mask any odors, and the sickly sweet floral smell can sometimes be worse than the original smell. Fortunately, you can create a homemade air freshener that will neutralize rather than mask any odors Simply mix a tablespoon of white vinegar, 10 drops of essential oil and a teaspoon of baking soda into two cups of water. This will create a subtle fragrance and should eliminate any unpleasant smells.
If your bathroom has a musty smell, you may want to consider using desiccants. These materials are designed to absorb excess moisture that may be encouraging mold or mildew. These products are typically in the form of silica gels, but you can also use plants as a natural desiccant. Houseplants such as lilies or ferns can do a great job at freshening the smells of any room even your bathroom.
Get Cleaning
Most bathroom odors can be resolved with a good clean, but there is no need to fill your home with harmful chemicals. There are lots of homemade recipes that offer effective cleaning solutions. A baking soda and lemon juice mixture formed into a paste can be applied to any fixture. All you need to do is allow it to sit for approximately 10 minutes before spraying the surface with white vinegar. The paste will start to bubble, and you can wipe it clean.
It is also a good idea to give your toilet tank a good clean with white vinegar. White vinegar can remove any lingering urine smells and freshen up the fixture. Add some white vinegar to the toilet tank and scrub. Once you’ve finished cleaning, flush and repeat if necessary.
Have Your Plumbing Checked
If your bathroom is spotless and you still can’t shift those nasty odors, it is time to have your plumbing checked. Clogged pipes or drains and other plumbing issues can allow sewer gases and other offensive odors to enter your bathroom. An experienced plumber can evaluate your
plumbing to determine the source of those nasty smells and address the underlying issue.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
