It’s hard to believe that something as simple and mundane as a toilet can cause such problems. For many people, their daily workday starts in the bathroom.
Whether they are getting ready for work or just waking up from a deep sleep, it’s not unusual for them to spend 5-10 minutes each morning on some sort of personal grooming routine: washing the face, brushing teeth, applying makeup, and so forth.
This means that an unclean toilet is more than just unpleasant; it can be downright dangerous! So how do you keep your bathroom smelling clean?
Why is the Smell of Clean Toilet Matters?
A clean and fresh smell from the toilet is important for both homeowners and cleaners. It is important because it shows that the toilet has been cleaned.
For homeowners, it encourages them to keep their toilets clean always. For cleaners, a good smell means a job well done! Here are the reasons why:
- A clean and fresh smell in the toilet area encourages people to keep it clean.
- A clean toilet ensures a comfortable and healthy bathroom for all users.
- A smell from the toilet area indicates if it needs immediate cleaning or not because of presence of bad smell which can indicate filth, dirt, and germs. Bad smell from the toilet is probably the biggest reason why this space must be cleaned and disinfected all the time.
- Cleaners take pride in their work when they find out that it smells good after they’ve done their job. They will also be ready to do the same again as soon as possible because of this.
- A clean toilet area is a reflection of good hygiene practices among homeowners and your standard as a cleaner.
A toilet is an important place in the home. It is also of great concern for those who clean public places such as restaurants and shopping malls. The reason behind this is the fact that germs and bacteria accumulate on the toilet seat and bowl, which may result in illnesses if left unprocessed.
A good smell coming from a clean toilet is important and must be dealt with to stop the spread of germs and bacteria.
How To Keep a Fresh Smell in the Toilet?
Good sanitation is important for bad hygiene. A toilet is one of the most important sanitation amenities in every home and in almost every public space.
It is the place where we do our daily business, thus creating a need to always maintain its cleanliness. One cannot afford to neglect their dirty toilet because it might pose some health problems or may be offensive to the nose.
Toilet maintenance is an important part of every home to ensure that your home is always ready for guests. It keeps the toilet clean, fresh, and smelling good at all times. There are several easy steps in ensuring proper maintenance of your bathroom including:
- Drain water every time you use the toilet to avoid smelly buildup.
- Avoid using products that contain strong chemicals or fragrances as they might irritate your nose.
- Regular cleaning is very important to stimulate the removal of organic matter that is causing bad odor in your toilet.
- Use deodorants like air fresheners, dehumidifiers, steam cleaners (for disinfecting agents)
- Proper ventilation is also essential in removing the bad odor inside the toilet especially when you flush it. Keep your bathroom windows open or install exhaust fans for proper ventilation.
- Use baking soda in the bowl after every use to leave for 15 minutes, followed by flushing.
- You can also add a cup of white vinegar to the bowl when you are about to flush. This will help deodorize and cleanse your bowl.
- Use natural products such as pine oil and lemon juice to clean your bowl.
- One can also use commercial products that contain bleach or enzymes which provides a good and clean smell in your toilet.
- Clean at least once a day, if possible.
- Consider using a bathroom mat to prevent dirt and bacteria from spreading around.
- Always remember to close your toilet lid when you flush to avoid having any splashes on the walls and floor. This also keeps odors trapped inside the toilet and prevents them from seeping out and getting trapped in the bathroom.
What Causes a Clean Toilet to Smell Bad?
A clean toilet can begin to smell if not taken care of properly. Here are some Causes Of a Clean Toilet Smelling Bad:
- Not using a quality cleaner with enzymes.
- Using too much cleaner.
- A water temperature that is too cold or hot for the type of cleaner that is being used.
- Leaving the toilet lid up or letting children leave the lid open.
- Not cleaning under the rim where bacteria can build up and begin to smell.
- Using chlorine bleach to clean a septic tank or drain field. This will corrode your pipes to cause leaks.
- Not using a plunger to unclog the toilet correctly.
- Flushing wipes, paper towels, or other items down the drain that are not biodegradable.
- Using too much air freshener when you do clean. This can set off your nerves and cause you to breathe in the chemicals.
- Letting your toddler wipe their own behind. They don’t know how much toilet paper is necessary.
- Leaving the seat up (especially for boys).
- Not using a deodorizing cleaner that actually works.
- Using green cleaners that only smell good but don’t clean.
- Not cleaning under the rim where bacteria can build up and begin to smell.
- Putting chemicals in the toilet that are not supposed to be there (like flushing paint or other solvents).
- Flushing wipes, paper towels, or other items down the drain that is not biodegradable.
- Leaving more than three days between cleanings.
- Using too much bleach or chemicals that can damage the rubber on the toilet and cause it to start leaking.
- Putting any kind of chemical down a drain. This can damage the septic system and cause a need for repair.
- Letting your pet use the bathroom in the toilet or on the floor of the bathroom. Cleaning this up does not remove all the odors, especially if they are urinating where you don’t want them to.
- Letting the water sit in the pan of the toilet. This can create a bacteria slime that smells bad.
- Overstuffing your trashcan, so you must change it more frequently.
- Putting heavy chemicals down drains where they are not supposed to go. These include things like drain openers, paint thinner, or even chili or spaghetti sauce.
- Using bathroom chemicals with the wrong pH levels. For instance, using ammonia on marble is not good for it because marble can change its ph level based on what you put in it. This will ruin the finish and make your toilet start smelling if you do this.
- Not putting a vent fan in the bathroom if you have one. This can reduce the smell of cleaning agents and make your bathroom cleaner and fresher smelling.
How To Prevent a Toilet from Smelling Bad?
- Do not use chemicals to make it smell good because this can cause problems with the septic system when it gets out into the sewage.
- Do not use scented products or candles near or in the toilet because it will absorb that scent and then release that scent every time you flush. Therefore, most people opt for the Citrus scented products or candles, but there is a problem with this; these can cause damage to the plumbing system and if you do use them, only use them when you are not going to be in the house for long periods of time.
- Pour one cup of baking soda into your toilet tank and let it settle in the bottom of the tank. Then pour one cup of vinegar into your toilet bowl and leave it for an hour or two (more time is better, but this will do). The baking soda and vinegar work together to clean out any dirt and germs and deodorize your toilet. When you flush, the scented water goes through the sewer system and causes no harm.
- The next step is very important, after the one cup of baking soda settles in your tank and the one cup of vinegar has been sitting in your bowl for an hour or two (or more) flush your toilet to get rid of all the excess water down your drain and follow it up with another cup of baking soda and let it sit in the tank overnight. The next morning, pour one cup of vinegar into your toilet bowl and leave it for an hour or two (or more). When you return, flush to clear out all the excess water down your drain.
- Repeat step 3 every night until you do not smell anything when you flush (1 to 3 days). Already smelling better and not doing any harm in the sewer system is a great start.
- Once you smell nothing when you flush, add up to one tablespoon of bleach to each gallon of water in your tank and let it sit overnight. Then in the morning, pour one cup of vinegar into your toilet bowl and let it sit for an hour or two (or more). Flush after you return to clear up all the excess water. Do not use bleach every day; only do this once every week.
- To keep your toilet smelling fresh, pour one cup of baking soda into your tank once a week and then flush both your tank and bowl with one cup of vinegar once a week as well. This should be done as part of your regular toilet cleaning schedule.
Final Thoughts
The best way to keep your toilet smelling fresh is by using natural cleaners. By taking the time to clean it every day, you are not only helping prevent any germs from growing but also making sure that no matter what kind of food or drink goes through your pipes, there will be nothing left behind which could cause problems with septic systems when sewage gets into the sewer system. We hope these tips help you maintain a cleaner and healthier home. Thanks for reading!
