How to Keep the Bathroom Smelling Nice
This is another of everyone’s favorite topics--bathroom ideas. While offensive smells seem worse to some than others (those of us with sharp noses certainly have a harder time than those who seem to suffer “nose blindness”), no one likes a smelly bathroom. And around the holidays, you have more visitors and more bathroom users, which makes it even harder to keep the bathroom powder fresh. Here are some quick tips for making sure your bathroom passes the white glove test--and the odor test--during the holiday season.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.
Flush Multiple Times
Everyone knows to flush after going number 2, before wiping. But just in case you don’t, I’ll put it here first. Use one flush for the refuse (rubbish! slime! muck! ….. anyone?) and another for the toilet paper you use afterward. It gets rid of the offending smell sooner so it doesn’t linger as long.
Clean More Often
Nobody’s favorite job is cleaning the bathroom. If it is, let me know. I’ll send you a prize, because you deserve it. For real (one winner only, first come, first serve). But the reality is, the more you clean the bathroom, the better it will smell. There are no-scrub shower sprays you can use after every shower to keep the shower clean, and bleach works as well as toilet cleaner if you’re scrubbing the toilet more frequently and don’t want to spend the extra money on more cleaner. You can also find gel mold remover for the shower grout, and toilet bowl fresheners that go in the tank and keep the water blue until it’s time to replace work wonders.
Add Nice Smells
Not everyone can use fragrances for a myriad of reasons. For those who can, though, it can be a life saver. Candles are great. Bath and Body Works candles are very strong, and the ones from Dollar Tree don’t smell like much at all. You can also use wax melts and a warmer, so that you don’t have an open flame (any toddler mamas out there?). Diffusers also work, where you put the sticks in a bottle of fragrance oil, if you keep them out of the reach of the kids.
Wipe Surfaces
Everyone can get involved in this. Even little kids can wipe a surface, and sometimes they can reach better than you can. Keep disinfectant wipes in top drawer so everyone, even the littlest, can wipe down the sink after leaving toothpaste everywhere. This way everyone helps to maintain the clean for guests. Don’t forget to wipe down the mirror, too!
Spray Before You Go
You’ve probably seen the fragrance sprays. The tiny bottle says to spray in the toilet before you go, and it keeps the bathroom smelling fresh while you do your business. Did you know those actually work? That’s great, except they cost an arm and a leg. I’m here to tell you there is a dollar store alternative. It’s a similar bottle with a different brand, and it works just as well.
Deal with Musty Towels
It’s good to save the earth and use your towel more than once. Yet when guests are coming and there isn’t space on the towel rack, it’s time to hang them somewhere else or wash them. Wet towels in a small room don’t always dry very fast, and they can start to smell musty. If they smell musty after just one use, you may need to get new towels. They start to retain bacteria after you’ve had them for a long time, and nothing can make those towels smell clean when they’re wet. Towels can be expensive if you’re buying several at once. Try replacing a few at a time as the budget allows, instead of making a big purchase.
Holiday Guests
Hopefully these ideas give you some fresh (pun fully intended) ways to keep your bathroom less odiferous. Join the conversation on Instagram and let us know if you have any more ideas about keeping bathrooms clean and smelling nice, especially when the volume of users is skyrocketing during Christmas gatherings.
For more holiday tips, try our posts about making cookies with little ones or planning a big meal.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.