7 Surprising Ways to Keep Your Bathroom Smelling Fresh

Do you dread entering your bathroom because of the unpleasant odors that linger there? Do you wish you could make your bathroom smell fresh and clean without spending a fortune on expensive products or harsh chemicals? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with keeping their bathroom smelling fresh, especially in small spaces or humid climates.

But don’t worry; there are some simple and effective ways to banish bad smells and keep your bathroom smelling fresh all day long. In this article, you’ll discover seven surprising ways to keep your bathroom smelling fresh: natural ingredients, household items, and some clever tricks. You’ll also learn why your bathroom smells bad in the first place and how to prevent it from happening again.

Key Takeaways

• Your bathroom smells bad because of bacteria, mold, mildew, urine, feces, hair, soap scum, and other organic matter accumulating in your sink, toilet, shower, tub, drain, and trash can.
• To keep your bathroom smelling fresh, clean it regularly, ventilate it properly, and eliminate odor sources.
• Some of the best ways to keep your bathroom smelling fresh are:
  • Sprinkle baking soda on your toilet seat and bowl before flushing.
  • Add a few drops of essential oil to your toilet paper roll or a cotton ball and place it behind the toilet.
  • After every use, fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water on your shower curtain, walls, and tiles.
  • Place a bowl of coffee grounds, charcoal, or baking soda in your bathroom to absorb odors.
  • Grow plants in your bathroom that can purify the air and add a pleasant fragrance.
  • Make your natural air freshener with water, vodka, and essential oils, and spray it whenever you need a burst of freshness.
  • Use a diffuser or a candle to create a relaxing and aromatic atmosphere in your bathroom.

Why Does Your Bathroom Smell Bad?

Before we dive into the ways to keep your bathroom smelling fresh, let’s first understand why your bathroom smells bad in the first place. The main culprit behind bad bathroom smells is bacteria. Bacteria thrive in moist and warm environments, which makes your bathroom an ideal breeding ground for them.

Bacteria feed on organic matter such as urine, feces, hair, soap scum, and dead skin cells that accumulate in your sink, toilet, shower, tub, drain, and trash can. As they break down these substances, they release foul-smelling gases that can make your bathroom smell like a sewer.

Another common cause of bad bathroom smells is mold and mildew. Mold and mildew are fungi that grow on damp surfaces such as shower curtains, walls, tiles, grout, and ceilings. Left untreated, they can cause health problems such as allergies, asthma, and infections. They can also produce musty odors that make your bathroom smell stale and unpleasant.

Other factors contributing to bad bathroom smells are poor ventilation, lack of cleaning, hard water stains, clogged pipes, leaking faucets, old plumbing fixtures, and expired or low-quality products.

How to Keep Your Bathroom Smelling Fresh

Now that you know what causes bad bathroom smells, let’s look at some of the best ways to keep your bathroom smelling fresh. These methods are easy to implement, affordable, and eco-friendly. They will not only make your bathroom smell good but also make it look cleaner and more inviting.

1. Sprinkle Baking Soda on Your Toilet Seat and Bowl Before Flushing

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can neutralize odors and freshen your toilet. It can also help remove stains and disinfect your toilet seat and bowl. All you need to do is sprinkle some baking soda on your toilet seat and bowl before flushing.

Add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar for extra cleaning power. This will create a fizzing reaction that will lift dirt and grime from the surface. Flush as usual and enjoy a sparkling and odor-free toilet.

2. Essential Oil on Toilet Paper or Cotton Ball for Freshness

Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants that have various therapeutic properties. They can also add a pleasant fragrance to your bathroom and mask unpleasant odors. The best essential oils for keeping your bathroom smelling fresh are lavender, lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree, orange, grapefruit, and bergamot.

To use essential oils in your bathroom, add a few drops of your favorite oil to your toilet paper roll or a cotton ball and place it behind the toilet. This will release a subtle scent whenever you use toilet paper or flush the toilet. You can also mix a few drops of essential oil with water and spray it on your toilet seat, bowl, and lid before and after using the toilet.

3. Vinegar and Water Spray for Shower Curtain, Walls, and Tiles

Vinegar is a natural cleaner that can kill bacteria, mold, and mildew and remove hard water stains and soap scum from your shower curtain, walls, and tiles. It can also deodorize your bathroom and prevent odors from building up.

To use vinegar in your bathroom, fill a spray bottle with equal parts of vinegar and water and spray it on your shower curtain, walls, and tiles after every use. Add a few drops of essential oil to the vinegar solution for a pleasant smell. Let the vinegar solution sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth or rinse it with water.

4. Coffee Grounds, Charcoal, or Baking Soda for Odor Control

Coffee grounds, charcoal, and baking soda are all-natural odor absorbers that trap and eliminate bad smells from your bathroom. They can also add a nice aroma to your bathroom, making it more inviting.

To use them in your bathroom, place a bowl of coffee grounds, charcoal, or baking soda in the corner of your bathroom or near the source of the odor. Add dried flowers, herbs, or spices to the bowl for fragrance. Replace the bowl every few weeks or when it loses its effectiveness.

5. Plants for Air Purification and Fragrance in the Bathroom

Plants are not only beautiful but also beneficial for your bathroom. They can purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They can also reduce humidity by transpiring water vapor.

They can also add a pleasant fragrance to your bathroom and create a relaxing and natural atmosphere. Some of the best plants for keeping your bathroom smelling fresh are orchids, peace lilies, snake plants, spider plants, aloe vera, lavender, mint, and jasmine.

To grow plants in your bathroom, choose plants that can tolerate low light, high humidity, and temperature fluctuations. You must also provide them with adequate drainage, watering, and fertilizing. You can place them on your windowsill, countertop, or shelf or hang them from the ceiling.

6. DIY Natural Air Freshener with Water, Vodka, and Oils

If you want to make your natural air freshener safe, effective, and customizable, use water, vodka, and essential oils. Water is the base of the air freshener that helps dilute the other ingredients. Vodka is the preservative that helps prevent bacteria growth and extend the shelf life of the air freshener. Essential oils are the scent that adds freshness and aroma to your bathroom.

To make your natural air freshener, fill a spray bottle with one cup of water, one tablespoon of vodka, and 10-15 drops of essential oil. You can use any combination of essential oils that suit your mood. Some popular choices are lavender and vanilla, lemon and rosemary, peppermint and eucalyptus, orange and cinnamon, and grapefruit and mint.

Shake the bottle well before each use and spray it whenever you need a burst of freshness in your bathroom. You can spray it on your towels, linens, and rugs to make them smell nice.

7. Diffuser or Candle for Relaxing and Aromatic Bathroom

Another way to keep your bathroom smelling fresh is to use a diffuser or a candle to create a relaxing and aromatic atmosphere in your bathroom. A diffuser is a device that disperses essential oils into the air through mist or heat. A candle is a wick embedded in wax that produces light and heat when lit.

Both diffusers and candles can add warmth, ambiance, and fragrance to your bathroom. They can also help you relax and unwind after a long day. However, it would be best to be careful when using them in your bathroom. Protecting them from flammable materials, water sources, and children or pets. Also, Ensure they are turned off or extinguished when not in use.

Conclusion

Keeping your bathroom smelling fresh is not as hard as you might think. With some simple and effective methods, You can banish bad smells and make your bathroom smell good all day. You can also improve the appearance and hygiene of your bathroom and enhance your mood and well-being.

Try these seven surprising ways to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and see the difference.