Quick and Effective Tips for a Fresh Bathroom
Have you ever walked into your bathroom and were immediately greeted with the worst smell known to mankind? Well, it might not be that bad but it’s still unpleasant.
Bathrooms are known for trapping smells in small corners and the fabrics we use every day. The good news is that we’ve got your back with simple, easy-to-follow solutions to tackle this issue.
Ventilation
The simplest of all but the most overlooked, ventilation will solve half of your problem when it comes to weird bathroom smells. Just open a window and see if it makes a difference or not.
If you don’t have a window in your bathroom, install an exhaust fan which is a great alternative too.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a powerful deodorizer that can easily tackle stubborn odors. Simply place an open box of baking soda on your vanity or a shelf, and it will absorb unpleasant smells, leaving your space smelling clean.
Believe me, this hack will work wonders. Baking soda comes with a natural ability to absorb moisture and neutralize odors making it perfect for keeping your bathroom fresh.
Essential Oils
A natural and effective way to freshen up your bathroom, essential oils work actively against eliminating bad odor and other unwanted smells.
Popular choices include lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree which not only smell great but also come with a bunch of anti-bacterial properties. Simply add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to cotton balls and place them in different areas throughout the bathroom.
Vinegar
Vinegar is well-known for its power in combating bathroom odors and mold. To create an effective solution, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it into the air or directly onto countertops, sinks, tiles, and any surfaces prone to mold.
This mix is perfect for eliminating stubborn, musty smells and keeping mold at bay, making your bathroom feel fresh again.
Air Fresheners
An obvious one, regularly using high-quality air fresheners will provide an instant boost to your bathroom scent. For a more convenient option, go for automatic air fresheners or plug-ins as they’ll constantly fill your bathroom with a nice scent without the need for added effort.
Natural scents like vanilla, citrus, and floral aromas are great for an inviting atmosphere.
Scented Candles
Don’t shy away from lighting a match and burning your favorite candle in the bathroom. After all, candles are not only for your living rooms.
Choose scents like sandalwood, fresh linen, or lavender for an air of freshness and relaxation. However, when it comes to candles there’s always a certain degree of risk involved.
Therefore, make sure to keep them away from flammable items.
Bamboo Charcoal Mixture
Quite different from the traditional air fresheners, bamboo charcoal mixture traps and eliminates odor without masking them. Available in the form of both powder and block, this mixture is especially effective against strong odors.
If you’re using the same mixture solution throughout the month, don’t forget to place it under the sun once in a while to reactivate its absorbent properties.
Lemon
Available in almost every household, lemons are a life-saver when it comes to unpleasant smells. Lemons can be used in various ways and the simplest one of all is to cut them in pieces and place them throughout your bathroom.
You can also DIY a lemon spray and keep it in a spray bottle, to be used whenever the need arrives.
Regular Cleaning
Sometimes the unpleasant smell harbored in our bathrooms is a result of our direct negligence. Keeping your bathrooms clean and tidy is essential for a pleasant-smelling bathroom.
Sinks, countertops, and floors are often the victims of bad smells and hence, should be regularly cleaned. Use disinfectants that are specifically made for killing bacteria and germs.
Trash Management
How often do you take out your bathroom trash? Once or twice a week?
That won’t do, as bathrooms can already be a stuffy place and when you throw days-old garbage in the equation, things are going to take a pretty bad turn. Besides regularly cleaning your trash can, you can also use a scented trash bag to further combat smells.
Keep Towels Dry
Did you know towels are a great source of smell throughout the bathroom? This is because their material tends to hold onto moisture and dampness which gives way to unpleasant odors.
So what you need to do is keep your towels dry and this can be either done via rotating them every now and then or you can hang them in an open space, allowing them to dry up faster.
Drain Cleaning
Your bathroom drain is eventually going to get clogged with your hair, soap residue, and other debris leading to a buildup of unwanted smells. You can either call for professional help in case of an extreme case scenario or you can also try cleaning it yourself.
To make things easier, pour down a mixture of vinegar and baking soda down the drain for effective and easy cleaning.
Toilet Maintenance
You need to clean your toilet at least once or twice a week, if you can’t clean it daily and this number should increase if there are a lot of people using the bathroom. Make sure to use an effective and environmentally friendly cleaner.
Scrub under the rim and along the sides with a toilet brush to remove any bacteria, buildup, and stains.
Bathroom Rugs
Just like a heavy heart can cling to old grudges, your unclean bathroom rug can hold onto smells. Besides playing a great role in your bathroom aesthetics and comfort, rugs can be the hidden source of odors if not cleaned.
Make it a habit to wash your rugs every once in a while and let them dry completely before using them again. Talking about aesthetics, here is a piece on “Vanity Upgrades for a Stunning Bathroom”.
Potted Plants
This one is not an immediate solution for strong odors but it can work pretty effectively in the long run. Spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies are well-known for their air-purifying qualities, releasing oxygen, and absorbing harmful toxins.
Make sure to choose plants that tend to thrive in humidity. Plants in bathrooms are not a new concept.
Find out more about this topic from “Are Biophilic Bathrooms in Trend These Days”.