Ever had to tiptoe past a bathroom, holding your breath and praying for a quick escape? We’ve all been there. That lingering odor of mildew, the faint whiff of urine, or the mysterious stench from the drain can ruin any bathroom, no matter how good it looks.
Fortunately, there are ways to identify where THAT smell is coming from and how to get rid of it. This guide covers quick fixes and cleaning hacks to make any bathroom smell fresh.
Before dealing with the smell, you’ll need to pinpoint its source. Here are the usual suspects behind lingering bathroom smells:
Mold And Mildew
A bathroom can have high humidity levels, especially without proper ventilation. This makes it easy prey for mold and mildew that thrive in warm, damp conditions.
The worst part? They feast on soap scum, leftover hair, and even moisture. The result is a musty, earthy odor that can linger long after you’ve left the shower.
Here are the common types of bathroom mold:
- Cladosporium
- Aspergillus
- Stachybotrys (black mold)
They don’t only cause that unwanted smell, they may even trigger health concerns in extremely sensitive people. Not addressing them as soon as they occur can damage structures like wall tiles, wood, and other bathroom surfaces.
Clogged Drains
The stink in the bathroom may also be due to clogged sinks and shower drains.
Organic matter from our skin, like soap scum, hair, dandruff, and debris can get trapped in the damp and dark areas of the plumbing, causing these to be a breeding ground for bacteria that produce foul odors and permeate the bathroom.
Some signs to watch out for include slow draining, clogging, unusual gurgling sounds, or standing water in your skin or shower.
You’ll need to call in plumbing services to clean, fix, and remove all the deposits that can give off that sewer-like bathroom odor.
Clogged Drains
The stink in the bathroom may also be due to clogged sinks and shower drains.
Organic matter from our skin, like soap scum, hair, dandruff, and debris can get trapped in the damp and dark areas of the plumbing, causing these to be a breeding ground for bacteria that produce foul odors and permeate the bathroom.
Some signs to watch out for include slow draining, clogging, unusual gurgling sounds, or standing water in your skin or shower.
You’ll need to call in plumbing services to clean, fix, and remove all the deposits that can give off that sewer-like bathroom odor.
Sewer Gas
Most bathroom odors are unpleasant, but a sewer gas leak is a serious concern. Sewer gas is a byproduct of decomposing waste in the sewer system and also contains hydrogen sulfide that gives it its distinct rotten egg smell.
A sewer gas leak can pose significant health risks that cause headaches, nausea, and other respiratory issues. Several factors can cause a sewer gas leak in the bathroom, like issues with the plumbing.
For example, every drain has a P-trap, a U-shaped pipe that holds water and creates a seal blocking sewer gasses. If this seal breaks (due to a dry trap, cracked pipe, or clogging), the odors can sneak into the bathroom.
Call a plumber as soon as possible if you notice a rotten egg smell coming from the bathroom. Open the windows and evacuate immediately.
Urine
Sometimes it’s just plain and simple urine that’s causing bad bathroom odor. A quick flush may be a temporary fix but urine can often seep into porous surfaces like grout, caulk, or the toilet bowl itself.
Trapped urine over time can decompose and release ammonia, creating a lingering and unpleasant odor. The key to fighting off urine odors is to tackle the source. Use a combination of regular cleaning and disinfection to neutralize the odor-causing bacteria.
How To Get Rid Of Odor In The Bathroom
You can temporarily mask bad bathroom odors with air fresheners, but the goal is to tackle them at the source and not mask their smell.
Here are a couple of tips you can follow:
NOTE: These tips are only for simple bathroom odor issues that can be resolved through regular and deep cleaning. For gas sewer leaks, it’s imperative to call professional plumbers.
- Ventilate the bathroom: The most straightforward way to fight bathroom odors is through airflow improvement. Open the bathroom windows or turn on the exhaust fan during and after showers. This helps reduce the dampness and prevent mold and mildew growth.
- Baking soda: Baking soda is considered a natural odor neutralizer. Sprinkle adequately on shower floors, the sink, or the toilet. Leave the powder to sit for a few minutes, then scrub before rinsing well.
- Vinegar: The musty odor could be caused by mold or mildew growth in the bathroom. Mix a vinegar-water solution in a bottle then spray the affected areas like shower walls, shower heads, tile grout, spouts, etc. Leave it to set for a couple of minutes, and then scrub and rinse.
- Essential oils: Drop a few essential oils in a diffuser or dilute it in a spray bottle. Some great scents include lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus.
- Professional cleaning services: To get a thorough and hassle-free cleaning for your bathroom, go for professional cleaning services which offer to clean specifically this part of your building or facility. They have the resources to address lingering bathroom odors through deep cleaning and disinfection.
- Commercial odor eliminators: As another temporary fix, you can mask these odors by purchasing odor eliminators. These are locally available in any hardware store or online. Some examples include:
- Urinal screen deodorizers: https://www.amazon.com/LooLoo-Automatic-Touchless-Dispenser-Fragrance/dp/B0B52CLCPY
- Moisture absorbers: https://www.amazon.com/Arm-Hammer-Fragrance-Refillable-Eliminator/dp/B08XBDBW2H
- Odor absorbers: https://www.amazon.com/Smells-Begone-Freshener-Odor-Absorber/dp/B01CESLR52
- Toilet sprays: https://www.amazon.com/Poo-Pourri-Before-You-Go-Toilet-Tropical-Hibiscus/dp/B0CRQQKYZY
Note: Please note that these recommendations are for informational purposes only. We do not endorse nor get affiliate commissions from the manufacturers of these products.
We encourage you to conduct your research and choose the most appropriate bathroom deodorizer for your specific needs and preferences.
Key Takeaway
Temporary solutions like air fresheners or deodorizers may temporarily help you eliminate pungent bathroom odors, but it’s always more effective to target the problem at the source.
Prevention is also key! Regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and immediately cleaning spills as soon as they happen goes a long way in preventing odors from lingering.
And, if DIY solutions are simply not cutting it, call the professionals (especially for major issues like a sewer gas leak!).