Canada
6 Ways to Keep Your Bathroom Smelling Fresh
Despite our best efforts, from time to time our bathrooms can really stink! Whether it’s a musty bathmat, semi-clogged drain, or the latest flush – even the cleanest bathrooms can use a bit of help when it comes to smelling fresh. While aerosol air fresheners may be the go-to choice for many, their effects are temporary and even the mildest scents can offend sensitive noses. So, we’ve compiled a list of alternative ways to keep your bathroom smelling fresh, long after that troublesome flush.
1) Ventilation: If your bathroom is smelling a bit mustier than usual, your first step should be checking out the ventilation. Without proper ventilation, bathrooms stay damp which promotes the growth of mildew and its accompanying musty scent. Even with all of the solutions below, a bathroom filled with mildew will never smell fresh. To avoid this unpleasant odour, ensure you run the fan (or open a window) after a shower or bath to expel the excess humidity, fast. The soft fabrics in your bathroom can also hold onto moisture and start to smell of must, so be sure to wash your bathmat and towels regularly – and don’t forget to pull the shower curtain closed after bathing to allow it to dry completely.
2) Odour Absorbers: Now that you’ve ensured your bathroom is as dry as it can be, you’re going to want to focus on some odour absorbers. Try filling a modern glass vase or bowl with white vinegar or baking soda – emphasis on the ‘or’, we don’t want a grade school science experiment spilling all over your countertops. Both vinegar and baking soda absorb odours from the air, which will help keep the air in your bathroom fresh and clean. Alternatively, you can head to your local pet store and purchase some activated charcoal, which is another natural odour absorber. It’s usually found in the aquarium section and can be utilized in the same way as vinegar or baking soda – just pour it into a bowl and let it work its magic!
3) Essential Oils: Once your bathroom is ventilated properly and absorbing odours, it’s time for the fun part – making it smell good! While there are countless ways to add a fresh scent to your bathroom, we absolutely love using essential oils. For spa-like vibes, simply add water and 10-15 drops of your favourite oil to an essential oil diffuser and let it go to work. For those who would like an added boost of freshness, you can also add a few drops to your garbage bin or inside the toilet paper roll. Just be careful not to get any oil on the toilet paper itself as essential oils should always be diluted before coming in contact with your skin.
4) Plants: Next up, we have another natural scent booster – plants! We’re not talking about a fresh bouquet of flowers (although those are always welcome), we’re going for something even fresher like mint or eucalyptus. All you have to do is hang it around your showerhead and remember to replace it every few days to ensure your bathroom smells its best. As an added bonus, both mint and eucalyptus can help clear your nasal passages when combined with the steam of the shower, so there’s really no going wrong with this option.
5) Candles: Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the OG of all air fresheners, candles! We love how candles can create ambience while filling the air with your favourite scent. Whether you like florals, fresh fruit, or a crisp linen scent, candles can make any space feel instantly welcoming and warm – even if it is just for a quick visit to the loo.
6) Reed Diffusers: Last but not least, we have aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting reed diffusers. This option is great if you just want to set it and forget it. Simply set it up, place it out of reach of pets and children, and allow the scent to dissipate. It’s really as simple as that!
While there’s no way to entirely outlaw bad odours from infiltrating your beautiful bathroom, there are a number of ways to freshen the air when it does occur. So, whether you’re a fan of the all-natural odour absorbers like carbon and vinegar or a candle hoarder extraordinaire, these solutions are sure to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.
1) Ventilation: If your bathroom is smelling a bit mustier than usual, your first step should be checking out the ventilation. Without proper ventilation, bathrooms stay damp which promotes the growth of mildew and its accompanying musty scent. Even with all of the solutions below, a bathroom filled with mildew will never smell fresh. To avoid this unpleasant odour, ensure you run the fan (or open a window) after a shower or bath to expel the excess humidity, fast. The soft fabrics in your bathroom can also hold onto moisture and start to smell of must, so be sure to wash your bathmat and towels regularly – and don’t forget to pull the shower curtain closed after bathing to allow it to dry completely.
2) Odour Absorbers: Now that you’ve ensured your bathroom is as dry as it can be, you’re going to want to focus on some odour absorbers. Try filling a modern glass vase or bowl with white vinegar or baking soda – emphasis on the ‘or’, we don’t want a grade school science experiment spilling all over your countertops. Both vinegar and baking soda absorb odours from the air, which will help keep the air in your bathroom fresh and clean. Alternatively, you can head to your local pet store and purchase some activated charcoal, which is another natural odour absorber. It’s usually found in the aquarium section and can be utilized in the same way as vinegar or baking soda – just pour it into a bowl and let it work its magic!
3) Essential Oils: Once your bathroom is ventilated properly and absorbing odours, it’s time for the fun part – making it smell good! While there are countless ways to add a fresh scent to your bathroom, we absolutely love using essential oils. For spa-like vibes, simply add water and 10-15 drops of your favourite oil to an essential oil diffuser and let it go to work. For those who would like an added boost of freshness, you can also add a few drops to your garbage bin or inside the toilet paper roll. Just be careful not to get any oil on the toilet paper itself as essential oils should always be diluted before coming in contact with your skin.
4) Plants: Next up, we have another natural scent booster – plants! We’re not talking about a fresh bouquet of flowers (although those are always welcome), we’re going for something even fresher like mint or eucalyptus. All you have to do is hang it around your showerhead and remember to replace it every few days to ensure your bathroom smells its best. As an added bonus, both mint and eucalyptus can help clear your nasal passages when combined with the steam of the shower, so there’s really no going wrong with this option.
5) Candles: Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the OG of all air fresheners, candles! We love how candles can create ambience while filling the air with your favourite scent. Whether you like florals, fresh fruit, or a crisp linen scent, candles can make any space feel instantly welcoming and warm – even if it is just for a quick visit to the loo.
6) Reed Diffusers: Last but not least, we have aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting reed diffusers. This option is great if you just want to set it and forget it. Simply set it up, place it out of reach of pets and children, and allow the scent to dissipate. It’s really as simple as that!
While there’s no way to entirely outlaw bad odours from infiltrating your beautiful bathroom, there are a number of ways to freshen the air when it does occur. So, whether you’re a fan of the all-natural odour absorbers like carbon and vinegar or a candle hoarder extraordinaire, these solutions are sure to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.