Use your bathroom's exhaust fan often. In fact, wire it to your light switch so it's always on when the bathroom is in use. It's the best way to vent moisture that can seep into cracks and crevices and become a breeding ground for mold, mildew bacteria and odor.
Luckily, the solution is simple. If the problem is a lack of water in the P-traps, the answer is to put water back in these P-traps. You can do this by running the water in these bathroom drains for a few minutes, weekly or monthly, depending on the severity of the smell.
Add about 25 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to combine. Lemon and lavender are great choices, but eucalyptus is my favorite because of the refreshing scent. Pour the baking soda and essential oil mix into the water and stir. Then funnel the water into your spray bottle.
Dry P-Trap
The P-trap, a U-shaped pipe beneath sinks and drains, holds water and prevent sewer gases from entering the bathroom. If it dries out (e.g., in unused sinks or shower drains), the barrier disappears, allowing sewage smells to seep through.
Here are some things to do if you have a bathroom that does not get used that often: The main thing is to run water in the sink, shower and flush the toilet at least once a week.
Essential oils which are particularly effective in killing and preventing bacteria, mould and mildew include lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint and sweet orange. These oils are great for use in cleaning sprays, keeping your bathroom smelling fresh whilst maintaining the highest levels of hygiene.
White vinegar and baking soda in equal parts is a cost-efficient and effective means of getting rid odors in a toilet. Add them to the tank, mix them in and then use the toilet brush to gently scrub the tank. Let it sit for a few hours, scrub the tank again and flush.
Your At-Home Spa
If you have a larger bathroom that is hard to fill with fragrance, a mechanical diffuser combined with a few scented candles may do the trick. For smaller, personal bathrooms, a jar of potpourri and a reed diffuser may be all you need.
Baking soda is a one-stop solution for most in-house cleaning tasks. Being an all-natural cleaner, it is on the list of essentials for every DIY enthusiast. When it comes to fragrance, baking soda helps in two ways; clearing out the bad smell and replacing it with a better scent.
Vinegar, Baking Soda and Hot Water
This mixture is also effective at preventing future drain clogs. Firstly, pour half a cup of baking soda (118ml) down your drain followed by a half cup of white vinegar (118ml). Cover the drain and let the mixture fizz away for around 15 minutes.
You can use baking soda, dry or dissolved in water, to absorb odors and get rid of bad smells for good. Sprinkle baking soda on heavy furniture, like mattresses, sofas, chairs, and carpets. Let the powder sit for at least an hour.
To get rid of smelly bathroom pipes, first identify the source of the odor. A common solution involves a thorough cleaning of the drain using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
The sound of a running toilet…it can keep you awake at night. If your toilet is running constantly, you could be wasting 200 gallons of water or more every day. (US EPA Water Sense) Not only is that running wasteful, it can also be expensive.
Sewer Gases Rise Up
However, if your sink or shower drain is unused, that water will evaporate. It can also be siphoned out from a poorly designed P-Trap. Sewer gases will then seep into the home via the pipework, taking full advantage of the lack or internal barrier.
Courtesy flush
Seriously, the courtesy flush is your best friend when it comes to pooping. Basically, you flush every time you hear a splash in the toilet bowl to prevent smells from diffusing. The quicker you do it, the less the odor.
'Another trick I always do is put a little bit of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and drop those balls in the trash,' explains Nick Hedberg, real estate agent and CEO of As-Is Home Buyer. 'Not only does it keep insects away, but peppermint oil also absorbs foul-smelling odors.
Try mixing a floral with citrus essential oil or tea tree with eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils for luscious air-freshening scents. Some of the best essential oils to use for natural air fresheners at home include: Lavender. Eucalyptus.
Use air fresheners, burn a scented candle, open the windows, sprinkle baking soda on carpets, set out a bowl of vinegar, or clean with scented cleansers. Why does my house smell bad? Bacteria and mold cause foul-smelling odors.