How To Remove Foul Bathroom Odor?

Summary:

Bad bathroom smells aren’t always normal and can even be a red flag for hidden plumbing problems.
Bad odors can be triggered by everything from the breakdown of bacteria to water or sewage leaks. Identifying the cause is critical, as each issue requires a unique fix.
Air fresheners, perfumes, and harsh scented cleansers might temporarily mask foul bathroom odors, but the smell will keep coming back unless you address the problem at the root. Baking soda and vinegar can effectively deodorize odors and break them down.
Still struggling with a stinky bathroom? Caccia Plumbing can help. Our experts will solve the issue quickly and professionally so you don’t have to get your hands dirty.

Foul bathroom odors are one of the most common problems reported to plumbers by residential and commercial property owners. While some smells are temporary or transitory, others can take you by surprise and persist for hours or days.

Fixing your smelly bathroom issue starts with tracking down the source of the problem and addressing the root cause. From leaks in your toilet bowl to total sewer line backups, the most common triggers run the gamut from simple annoyances with a quick fix to more serious troubles that can pose a serious risk to your health.

At Caccia plumbing, we’re always happy to help resolve plumbing problems, but you don’t necessarily need to wait for a plumber to take action. With this list of tips from our experts, you may be able to identify the source of the stink and address it right at home.

A frustrated man with in a blue and white checkered shirt and blue overalls leans over a bathroom sink. He is possibly trying to identify the source of a foul bathroom odor.

Identify the Bathroom Odor

The most effective way to identify the source of a bad smell in the bathroom is to thoroughly inspect the room itself and all of the fixtures within it. You won’t need any special tools to get started—just your eyes and nose! Here’s what you need to do:

Begin with a sniff test. Where is the odor strongest, and where does it grow more faint?
Define the smell. A sour, putrid, or sulfurous smell is a red flag for sewage line or sewer gas problems. If your bathroom smells like must or mildew instead, it may signify excess moisture, leaks, hidden water damage, wood rot, or mold.
Visually inspect all fixtures. Can you find obvious signs of a problem, such as water leaks, staining, rusting, or flaking?
Check drains for clogs or off-gassing. A dry p-trap—the u-shape bend under most sinks and toilets—can allow sewer gasses to travel back up the pipe into your home. Flushing or running the water may help.

Pro Tip: It’s okay to try and troubleshoot minor bathroom odors on your own. Call a professional right away if you see raw sewage, find a heavy leak, or experience overpowering odors that make you feel sick, unwell, or dizzy.

A woman wearing bright yellow rubber gloves kneels in front of a toilet, presumably cleaning it. A basket of cleaning supplies sits next to her on the floor.

Tidy Up Your Bathroom

Once you finish your inspection, the next step is to give your bathroom a general cleaning to see if it drives the smell away. If it doesn’t and you’re experiencing a true plumbing emergency, we encourage you to reach out to us directly for help.

Otherwise, begin with these basic steps:

Open all bathroom windows, and turn on the exhaust or ceiling fan to increase ventilation. In some cases, this alone may be enough to clear bad odors.
Resist the temptation to spray perfume or heavily scented cleansers. They will only mask the smell rather than resolving it.
Give the bathroom a good general cleaning so you’re starting from a “clean slate.” Clean all surfaces with a bathroom cleaner and be sure to empty the bathroom trash bin.

If these alone don’t resolve the problem, it may be time for deeper clean.

A clear glass jar full of baking soda sits on a gingham cloth next to a wooden spoon, which is also filled with baking soda. Crisp yellow lemons, a yellow and beige sponge, and a wooden spoon containing more baking soda sit next to it.

Try These DIY Bathroom Cleaning Methods

Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an extremely effective desiccant, meaning that it is particularly good at absorbing moisture and odors on surfaces and in the air. As an alkaline, or “basic” chemical, it has a light, fresh scent, but is gentle enough to use within the home.

While you can clean with this simple pantry ingredient, the real magic happens when you leave it out and expose it to the air. Over time, baking soda will not only draw in stubborn odors—the majority of which are acidic—but neutralize them, too.

Baking soda is incredibly easy to use, too:

Pour fresh baking soda into a small bowl, decorative tub, or a wide-mouth jar.
Leave it sitting in your bathroom out in the open without a lid or cover.
Change the baking soda out frequently for best results—at least once a month.
More frequent changes may be necessary for particularly stubborn smells.

Pro Tip: Use baking soda, with or without vinegar, to scrub surfaces and remove stains on your toilet, tub, and sink. This can also help to reduce bad odors.

Brown glass bottles and vials sit on a marble countertop beside a small potted plant. A round mirror, a wooden comb, and toothbrushes are arranged neatly beside them.

Essential Oils

If baking soda isn’t enough to beat bad bathroom odors, you may find yourself tempted to turn to harsh chemicals and perfumes. Wait! Consider trying popular essential oils instead.

These natural plant-sourced extracts, which are often the main ingredient in commercial air fresheners and sprays anyway, are affordable and effective at masking bad smells.

Essential oils come in hundreds of different varieties, so how you want your bathroom to smell is entirely up to you! Here’s how to use them:

Add a few drops to a diffuser, and set it to run on a schedule.
Dot a few drops on the inside cardboard portion of your toilet paper rolls instead.
Tuck a cotton ball with a few drops of essential oil into the bottom of your trash can.

ProTip: Some essential oils may be toxic to children, pets, or those with allergies. Be sure to confirm whether your favorite scent is safe before you put it to work.

Decorative pots and vases sit on a counter to the right of a bathroom sink with a silver faucet. Eucalyptus leaves spill out of the two tallest vases.

Eucalyptus Leaves

If essential oils aren’t right for you, but you still prefer more natural methods for doing away with bad odors, consider eucalyptus leaves instead. This pretty arid-climate plant grows naturally in Australia, but is often sold dried in bunches because it makes for great home decor.

Eucalyptus leaves contain very high levels of eucalyptus oil, which is known for its clean, almost antiseptic smell. Displaying it will infuse your bathroom with a light layer of scent.

Arrange a few dried sprigs or branches in a simple decorative vase.
Lay a few stems on the top shelf of a cupboard or cabinets.
If you have access to fresh eucalyptus stems, switch them out often for stronger scents.
Tear or chop several leaves into small pieces (dried or fresh). Hide them under your linens, at the bottom of your trash can, or in decorative knick-knacks.

A silver spoon half-buried in baking soda sits on rough stone surface, which has been sprinkled with the same powder, in a wooden bowl. It is framed by bright yellow cut lemons and a bottle of white vinegar.

Remove Stubborn Toilet Odors with This DIY Paste

Foul bathroom smells often track back to the toilet. Some of these odors are to be expected—it is designed to process human waste, after all!

Still, if the smell persists, it may be time for a deeper clean. This DIY paste recipe, which leverages the acidic power of regular white vinegar, can help.

What You’ll Need

Baking Soda
Lemon Juice
White Vinegar
Toothbrush
Washcloth
Measuring Cup
Medium Sized Bowl

Instructions for Use

Squeeze the juice of a fresh lemon (about 1-2 tablespoons) into a bowl.
Add baking soda and mix well until you produce a thick, cake-like paste.
Spread the paste along problem areas, like the seat, the base, and the sides.
Allow the paste to sit untouched for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Add around 1.5 cups of vinegar to the water in your toilet’s tank and let it sit.
After at least 15 minutes, flush the toilet two to three times to drain the tank.
Add in another .5 cups of vinegar; allow it to sit while you finish cleaning.
While wearing gloves, pour white vinegar over an old toothbrush.
Use the toothbrush to scrub in the paste you previously laid down.
Continue to add white vinegar over the same sites as you scrub.
As the residue comes away, use the washcloth to pick it up.
When you’re done, flush the toilet one last time.

Continue to add vinegar to your toilet’s tank every so often. It will not only help to fight off mold but may also prevent stubborn odors in the first place.

A white molded bathtub with brass fixtures is partially visible behind a crisp white shower curtain. A small gray table holding a woven basket containing rolled towels and a small plant sits in front of it on the floor.

Wash or Replace Your Shower Curtain

Shower curtains are a breeding ground for mold and bad odors, especially if your bathtub sits next to the toilet. Every flush sends tiny water droplets flying, and they often end up settling on the curtain. This build-up of moisture can lead to some nasty smells that aren’t always obvious to the naked eye.

Here’s how to fix it:

Carefully take the curtain down from its hooks.
If it’s made from a non-washable material, like plastic, replace it.
If it’s made from a washable fabric, put it through a wash cycle according to any directions on the tag—but add .5 cups of white vinegar to the final rinse.

See black or green spots at the bottom of your shower curtain? This is usually caused by mold infiltration from splashback, which means it’s too late to save it. Replace it instead.

Related: Say Goodbye to Stinky Drains

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Caccia Can Help Remove Bad Odors for Good

Still can’t shake foul smells in the bathroom? It might be time to reach out to a professional for help. Our experts can help you track bad odors back to the source while also resolving the many plumbing problems that contribute to them over time.

Contact Caccia Plumbing online or call (650) 442-1470 for emergency service tailored to your specific needs. We’ll do the dirty work so you don’t have to!

Frequently Asked Questions about Bathroom Odors

What causes bad bathroom odors?

Bad smells typically stem from the breakdown of waste products like urine and feces, enzymes produced by bacteria that thrive in damp environments, or water damage and mold infiltration. Each of these root causes requires a slightly different fix.

Why does my bathroom smell like mildew or mold?

Funguses, including black and green mold, thrive in damp environments. Clean surfaces often and keep them as dry as possible to ward off this particular scent. If you find the same smell returns over time, you may have a leak or need to improve ventilation.

Why do I smell sewage in the bathroom even though it’s clean?

A strong smell of sewage is an indicator of more serious plumbing trouble and can be hazardous to your health. The most common contributors are a dry P-trap, a severely clogged drain, or greater issues with the sewer line itself. Call a plumber for help.

How often should I clean to prevent odors?

The answer to this question depends on how often your bathroom is used. In general, cleaning at least once a week is best. The occasional deep clean can help make regular maintenance easier while also preventing or rooting out stubborn odors.

Is it true that air fresheners don’t really help?

Yes. Air fresheners may make your bathroom smell more pleasant, but they typically mask the smell rather than breaking it down or eliminating it. Think of it like a band-aid: it hides the problem instead of fixing it for good.