No one likes a smelly bathroom. Unfortunately, the nature of the space will lend itself to certain odors over time. The trick is to figure out how to minimize them, avoid the worst ones, and ensure that your bathroom doesn’t just smell fresh but is always fresh. The first secret isn’t much of a secret: you can’t just drown the room in those spray deodorizers and aerosol air fresheners. Even the ones that help remove odors still aren’t solving the problem of where the odors are coming from in the first place.
If you want to keep your bathroom smelling fresh, here are nine surefire must do’s that you should add to your list immediately.
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#1: Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation
The most common reason that bathrooms have foul odors is mildew and mold. Bathrooms are damp spaces between the sinks and the showers and need to be properly ventilated. Ensure you have an exhaust fan properly installed, and consider adding a window if there isn’t already one in the room. Every little bit helps.
The good news is that you can find a great selection of ENERGY STAR-rated fans that offer the most efficient options today. That means you’ll get premium ventilation without having to use a lot of electricity to do so. Plus, you can probably get something much better than what you currently have for less than you think, and with the added energy savings, you end up coming out on top!
#2: No wet towels!
That mold and mildew we just mentioned? It’s probably from anything in your bathroom that’s left wet, including towels. Damp towels are one thing—these can air dry with proper ventilation and don’t necessarily need to be laundered or removed every time. If you have soaked towels or towels that are too damp to hang dry, take them out of the space so they don’t attract foul odors and mildew.
The same goes for rugs here or other soft surfaces…don’t leave anything that’s too damp sitting for too long, or it will start to smell.
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#3: The power of baking soda
Baking soda is a neutralizer. It can neutralize several different odors and issues in the bathroom. You can use it on toilets, drains, and even the rug to freshen the space. Do this once a week or so, and you won’t believe your results. Plus, when you use it on the rug(s), it can absorb moisture, so it’s doubly effective!
#4: Regular cleaning is a must
To keep your bathroom fresh, you have to clean it regularly. This includes the drains, the toilet, the shower and tub, and the bathroom vanity and sink. Ideally, you should wipe down and clean all the bathroom surfaces, as well as clean the toilet, once a week. They also make daily shower sprays that help keep showers from getting dirty and make deep cleaning easier. Set yourself up for success here, and you’ll smell fewer odors.
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#5: Hand soaps
Instead of buying plain antibacterial soap, consider choosing a nice, scented hand soap for the bathroom. That way, a burst of scent is released into the air whenever someone washes their hands. As a bonus, your hands will also smell amazing. Worried about germs or sensitive skin? You’ll be happy to know that there are many options for soaps today, including many that cater to sensitive or otherwise unique skin needs.
#6: Consider wax warmers, diffusers, or homemade air fresheners
Aerosol air fresheners aren’t the most effective choice. Even if they help eliminate odors rather than just covering them up, they can leave residues, which don’t always last very long. A wax warmer, diffuser, or even a homemade air freshener, will provide longer lasting freshness; you can even pick and choose scents to change things up occasionally.
#7: Plants and herbs can add natural scents
Consider adding some greenery to the bathroom. Not only will this make it a more relaxing, inviting space, but it could also help improve the smell. Use jasmine, gardenia, and orchids for a floral scent, or consider lavender, rosemary, and even thyme, depending on the scent that you want to create. This will be a great way to dry herbs and improve the smell of your bathroom at the same time. Of course, you can also use herb or plant-scented diffusers and other products instead of actual herbs or plants if you don’t have much of a green thumb.
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#8: Deodorize the toilet tank
The toilet tank is one of the most innocuous parts of the toilet. People assume that since it’s a freshwater tank, no germs or bacteria are present. That is not always the case, however. Just because the tank is filled with fresh water doesn’t mean that things like hard water and mildew won’t still create smells inside that could leak out over time. Consider using fabric softener or detergent to create a long lasting clean scent AND keep the tank cleaner.
#9: Scented trash bags
Today’s trash bag market is impressive. Some might even say it’s a little overdone. However, that means you have many choices for scented trash bags and bags that kill or reduce odors and bacteria. Take the time to consider which scents you want and what won’t clash with other scents already in the space. If you choose linen-scented trash bags, that Hawaiian wax warmer isn’t going to mix well. And if you don’t want to spend money on scented bags, use essential oils in your bags or bins to freshen things up and keep trash from creating unnecessary odors.
With your bathroom smelling brand new and fresh, you might even consider updating with one of these new beautiful sinks or other fixtures to spruce up the space. You’ll never have to worry about tough bathroom odors again when you keep these things in mind.
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Resources
https://www.mydomaine.com/how-to-make-bathroom-smell-good-5200534
https://www.thistinybluehouse.com/how-to-make-your-bathroom-smell-good/
https://www.whatmommydoes.com/how-to-make-your-bathroom-smell-good/