No wonder the toilet has all these bad connotations in the human mind. There are the things you do with a toilet, the germs you associate with it, the images you have of public restrooms, the fact that you have to clean it, all these details leave the toilet somewhat…contaminated.
What is the worst toilet stain of all? It is the stain of smell; After years and years of use to dispose of your own waste, something is bound to give. Maybe it’s the toilet bowl itself? Or is it the tiles, the walls, the sink, the drain, or the bathtub? Pray it’s not the septic tank, because it’s going to really suck.
So your toilet and bathroom don’t exactly smell like flowers, or if they do smell like flowers… the carrion flower variety, that is. What should you do?
Try to identify the smell of the toilet, of course. Smells like humidity? Rancid? Does the smell smell like urine? Faeces? Or sewage? Or does it smell like something has died somewhere in your bathroom? You will have to try to locate the scent as well. Do you smell it everywhere in the room or only in certain places like near the toilet or near the sink? Do you have a smelly laundry basket in your bathroom that is stinking up the entire room? Identify the source of the odor and then continue from there.
Basic toilet odor removal
* If you sense a foul odor in your bathroom and need to quickly cover it up, simply strike a wooden match in the middle of that room. Lighting a match produces sulfur dioxide. This chemical is so strong that it hides most other odors from the nose for a short time.
*Obviously, the easiest way to make your bathroom smell better is to simply open the windows and let the fresh air in! Unless the temperature is below freezing, that is, or it is raining. If you can’t get fresh air in, there are many other methods available.
* You will probably need something stronger than soapy water to get rid of toilet odors. Specifically, white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide counteracts the natural oil in bathroom scum. Just get 1 liter (or quart) of white vinegar or 3% hydrogen peroxide (peroxide can cause discoloration), ¼ tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. dish detergent (also removes grease) and mix. This vinegar/peroxide solution will dissolve and remove the odor-causing grime instead of just spreading it around.
* Lighting a candle… even an unscented one… in your bathroom can eliminate odors. Or, if you don’t want to create a potential fire hazard because you have children or pets, place a strongly fragranced candle in your bathroom. It’ll just cover up odors instead of getting rid of them, but at least that room in your house will smell better for a while.
* Ammonia is also a very useful cleaning agent to remove the salty smell from the toilet. Clean your toilet with ammonia once, especially on the outside. However, don’t let the ammonia get anywhere near the bleach.
* Baking soda is a good odor absorber. Put a generous amount of baking soda in an uncovered container (the size of the container depends on the size of the bathroom) and leave it for several days. Remove the baking soda and replace it with a fresh batch and leave it for a couple of days. Continue replacing the baking soda until you have eliminated the odor from the toilet.
* Hydrochloric acid is also recommended. For very stubborn odors only, this caustic chemical is very powerful and can remove malodorous stains for up to forty years. But be very careful with its use and don’t leave it on for longer than the instructions indicate, as it can corrode the porcelain itself, causing surface roughness that will make the toilet stain even faster and smell even worse on the go. the future.
* Get a sack of charcoal to absorb the bad smell; Charcoal is not only used to filter water and other things, but it is also used to absorb odors, just like baking soda. If you see carbon in an odor-removing product, it may be able to remove odors.
* Disinfect the walls, ceiling, floor and all accessories; Many people forget to clean them, but chances are these areas have accumulated quite a bit of toilet odor from all those years of use. Do yourself a favor and put the shower curtains and rug in the washing machine, scrub the tiles, and clean the porcelain tub and sink with a good dose of ammonia, just to make sure the toilet odor is gone.
Maybe the smell from the toilet is in the grout on the floor tiles. If that’s the case, then a strong soak with chlorine bleach will do the trick. Also a little bleach in the bowl overnight can help. Turn on the fan to get rid of the bleach smell.
* Clean your toilet. Speaking of the toilet bowl, maybe a more detailed method is needed to clean it. Use liberal amounts of cleaning agent or sanitizer and a bowl brush to really scrub the china. Then let the solution sit for a minute before the inevitable rinse. Regardless of the chemicals you use, remember to respect the instructions given and follow them exactly; In particular; never mix chemicals as this can be extremely dangerous. Make sure there is adequate ventilation while you work, and ideally wear eye and skin protection.
Advanced toilet odor removal
Assuming your bathroom is clean, i.e. toilet is scrubbed and sanitized, mold and mildew free, shower curtain/door free of soap scum, shower/tub has been scrubbed, I have cleaned the tile floor. swept and mopped, or the carpet is dry and free of spills, and there’s still something unpleasant in the air, then it’s time to investigate the problem.
* Septic ulcer. Do you have a septic tank? The smell is a warning that there is a problem with the septic system. Sometimes the sewer can be clogged and needs to be checked, which is why the smell still remains. This bathroom smell can be a big problem if it is not fixed as soon as possible.
If your home is connected to a city sewer system, you will need to contact a plumber or the city to verify and identify the exact cause. If you live in a rural setting and your wastewater is handled by a septic tank, then you’ll just need to call a plumber. Sewage odors in your bathroom drains may mean there is a problem in the system. That is, it is possible that the wastewater is accumulating and not being used up as it should.
Another thing to check is the exhaust pipe, which may also be clogged. This is a big problem to solve. If you are renting, let the landlord know before the septic tank starts to back up. Now there is a smell!
* Waxed, waxed. This is another common problem that can cause your bathroom to smell like it has never been flushed, even after flushing. If the wax ring that seals the toilet base to the sewer pipe has become deficient, it can allow gases and odors to enter the room from the pipe.
It may also be that the toilet was not seated properly when installed; as such it may require a new wax joint underneath. Call a plumber and see if they can find the problem. Or do it yourself by replacing the ring and then resetting your toilet; the problem should be over by then.
* Review Board. There is a joint in the connection with the container and the pipe leading to the outside. In Wales, for example, there is also the gasket that is placed between the floor and the container. Either one could be damaged.
Check the level of water entering the water tank; maybe the water spout is on and the lack of water is emptying the trap in the S curve. Try filling the bowl halfway with clean water and put some food coloring in the water tank, then rinse.
Check the level of the dye in the container; you should see the color clearly. If not, your toilet is flushing too much. If that’s the case, find someone who can fix your type of toilet. Water must remain in the bowl after a flush to act as a seal against sewer gas, even with the low flush type.
Toilet odor removal products
* Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner (with bleach) cleans and disinfects with the power of Clorox Bleach. The sanitizing formula dissolves dirt and grime while killing 99.9% of bacteria and other germs, including cold and flu viruses. Powerful clinging action removes stains while deodorizing with a fresh, clean scent. In particular, it removes stubborn stains to clean and shine the toilet bowl and deodorizes the toilet by killing odor-causing bacteria.
* Lime-A-Way Toilet Bowl Cleaner has been specifically formulated with extremely strong lime-fighting ingredients to remove those stubborn, unattractive calcium deposits that form in your toilet bowl. These ingredients are biodegradable and organic, safe for the environment and in your septic system. Lime-A-Way also contains highly potent hydrochloric acid, which is its main cleaning ingredient and is extremely resistant to odor-causing germs, dirt and toilet residue.