Oh, the ammonia smell. It’s one of those things that can just make you want to run for the hills. The reason for this is that ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong odor that is produced when urea breaks down in the water. If you’re wondering how to get rid of the ammonia smell in your bathroom, we’ve got you covered!
First, let’s talk about what the ammonia smell is and where it comes from:
Ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong odor that is produced when urea breaks down in the water. You may have noticed this odor if you’ve ever left a bowl of urine or feces sitting around on your bathroom floor or toilet bowl for too long (ew!). The longer it sits there, the stronger that ammonia smell gets because more urea has broken down into ammonia gas.
You may also notice an ammonia smell if you leave wet clothing out in the sun for too long, as well as if you own a cat or dog and they use the litter box too often (ew!).
So now that we know what causes this noxious odor and where we might find it in our homes, how do we get rid of it? There are many different ways that you can get rid of this odor:
If you have an ammonia-like smell coming from your home or business and you want to get rid of it as soon as possible, here are some steps that can help:
- Open windows throughout your house or building and let fresh air circulate inside.
- Run an exhaust fan in the room where the odor is strongest.
- Try opening all closets and cabinets in the room where the odor is strongest and letting them air out for several hours before shutting again (this will help remove any trapped ammonia).
- If there’s an underlying cause for the ammonia smell (such as leaky pipes), contact a plumber immediately so they can repair it before further damage occurs!
Cleaning
The best way to eliminate an ammonia smell is by cleaning the area where it originates. You should clean your entire bathroom, including your toilet bowl and floor. You should also clean the shower curtain rod and curtains because they can hold onto odors due to their porous nature.
Using Fragrances
While we don’t recommend using chemical-based fragrances in your home, there are natural alternatives like essential oils that will help mask the odor without leaving behind any harmful chemicals after use has ended. Essential oil blends like lavender and eucalyptus work well for this purpose because they contain antibacterial properties that help fight off bacteria-causing smells while also adding pleasant scents into spaces where they won’t linger long enough for anyone else’s noses (especially children’s) become irritated after prolonged exposure over time!
Check Your Drain Traps
When you have a clogged drain trap, it can cause you to smell ammonia. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to check if this is the case.
First, remove the trap and clean it out (make sure not to use bleach or other harsh chemicals). You may need to use a plumber’s snake tool to manually clear the drain pipe. If this doesn’t work or there are no visible signs of blockage, then it’s time to call a plumber for further inspection and repair work. If that doesn’t help either, then there may be some other issue with your plumbing system causing odors from elsewhere in your house–in which case I highly recommend hiring someone who specializes in finding problems like that!
A Thorough Cleaning
You’ll want to start by thoroughly cleaning the toilet itself. You can use a cleaner or bleach solution that’s specifically made for toilets, but you can also just use some white vinegar and water in a spray bottle if you do not have anything else on hand. Make sure to wipe down all surfaces of the tank, as well as around the rim of your toilet bowl. The last thing this process does is set up a nice base for our next step: cleaning with baking soda!
Sewer Bacteria
The problem of sewer bacteria can be resolved with bleach, vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
The first step in treating the ammonia smell from sewer bacteria is to clean your bathroom thoroughly. This means removing all carpets and rugs from the floor as well as any shower curtains or other fabric used for decorating purposes. Next, you should clean every surface of your bathroom using hot water and soap — this includes walls, floors, sinks, and toilets. It may be helpful to use a disinfectant spray on these surfaces before wiping them down with a wet cloth or sponge that has been dipped in hot soapy water (no bleach). Once everything is clean, allow it all to dry before replacing any rugs into place or replacing curtains over windows or mirrors that were removed during cleaning.
Clean Your Pipes
Does your bathroom smell like ammonia? If so, you’ve likely got a problem with the pipes in your sink.
You can tackle this problem by cleaning the interior of your sink pipes with a bottle brush and some organic bleach.
This method will help remove the biofilm that forms on the inside of your pipes and prevent it from building up again.
It’s pretty easy to do—just take off the drain assembly or stopper, clean both of them thoroughly with hot water and soap, and then use a bottle brush to scrub down the inside of each pipe. Then rinse everything off thoroughly with clean water.
Afterward, pour two tablespoons of organic bleach into a quart of hot water, then pour this mixture into each pipe until they are full. Leave everything for about 30 minutes so that the solution can work its magic on any lingering bacteria or mold spores in there.
When you’re done, rinse everything out one last time (you may want to use white vinegar as well) before putting everything back together again and enjoying a fresh-smelling bathroom!
Check Your Vent
Bacteria and mold can build up in your drainpipes, causing them to emit a foul stench. The smell of ammonia is usually caused by the presence of these organisms. To get rid of the smell, you should first check your vent.
The main vent stack that provides air to the drain system and keeps air pressure normalized is located somewhere on your roof and has a diameter of about four inches. If this pipe gets clogged, it can create unpleasant odors in your bathroom because water siphons out of the drain trap and allows sewer gases to enter your home. This occurs when ice or debris blocks this pipe or when it gets clogged by a variety of materials, such as a bird’s nest or tree leaves.
If you’re uncomfortable cleaning this vent yourself or climbing on the roof to inspect it, call a plumber for help.
Look for a Broken Toilet Seal
If there’s an open drainage pipe, the smell could be coming from sewer gas. The seal of your toilet can wear down over time, allowing sewer gas to escape into the bathroom.
- If you’re using a plunger, try plunging into water that is low enough to cover your hand while avoiding plunging too hard or too fast. This will prevent you from pushing water up through the drainpipe and causing unnecessary damage to both the flange and flooring in front of your toilet.
- If you don’t have access to any tools at all, consider using an auger instead! An auger is a long string-like device with a handle on it that allows you to pull out clogs without having to get dangerously close (or cause major damage) with other methods like plunging or snaking
Bathrooms are not supposed to smell like ammonia.
For most people, the idea of an ammonia smell in their bathroom is so far beyond the realm of possibility that it may as well be a concept from science fiction. But if you find your home regularly smelling like a hospital ward, there’s a good chance that something is wrong with your plumbing system. Ammonia, while common and harmless enough in small doses, can become an unpleasant odor when found in large quantities. And since this substance is produced as waste by our bodies (which means we all produce it) and also by animals in general (including bacteria), there are plenty of ways for this chemical to enter our homes without us realizing it!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I be Concerned if I Smell Ammonia?
Ammonia is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. When ammonia comes in contact with the skin, it can cause redness, burning, and blistering. Inhalation of ammonia can cause coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and even death. If you smell ammonia, leave the area immediately and call 911
2. How Long Does It Take Ammonia Smell To Go Away?
Ammonia smells can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of the smell. If the smell is only faint, it will likely go away within a few days. However, if the smell is stronger, it may take up to two weeks for it to dissipate.
Conclusion
There are a number of different ways that you can successfully get rid of the ammonia smell in your bathroom. The key is finding a solution that works for your particular needs and schedule. Try the ones that sound like they might work for you, or try them all. You may just be surprised by how well each one works!
