Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash
Negosentro | How Do I Stop My Boy’s Bathroom from Smelling Like Pee? | Boys tend to have bad aim, and even though you clean everything, there’s that telltale urine smell. If you are sick and tired of it, try these tips to neutralize the odor.
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can be combined with lemon juice to make a paste for scrubbing floors and surfaces. Use a large amount around the potty-training toilet to remove urine odors and stains.
Vinegar
Most homes have some white vinegar in the cupboard, and it’s a great way to get rid of pee smells. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and has the added benefit of killing bacteria. Just spray some undiluted on a clean cloth or sponge and blot the urine stain until it’s dry (don’t rub or you could push the smell deeper into the fabric). Once the spot is cleaned, wash the rag and blot again with another damp towel to be sure all the pee scent is gone. It works best on fresh stains, so try to catch them as soon as they happen.
You can also use a spray bottle of vinegar in the toilet tank to remove pee odors from the lid, rim, and cracks around the seat. This is a great way to keep your bathroom smelling fresh, and it’s super easy. Just mix one part vinegar with one part water, add to the tank, and let sit for about 15 minutes. Then flush the toilet. You can also toss a cup of vinegar in the laundry with your regular detergent and run it through an extended rinse cycle to get that pee smell out of your sheets and towels.
Lemon, lavender, and other scented oils also mask pee odors. A few drops in a diffuser or in the corner of your bathroom can help keep the room fresh and smelling nice.
When you’re cleaning the bathroom, don’t forget to wipe the walls too. It’s amazing how far that pee can splash, so make sure you wipe down shower curtains, blinds, walls, and moldings. It’s also a good idea to have your pipes professionally cleaned every few years, removing any build-up and eliminating pee smells. This is a service most plumbers will provide, and it’s usually very affordable as well. Just be sure to check with your insurance provider before having this done. They may require you to have a special inspection before they cover the cost.
Essential Oils
One of the most frustrating things about living with boys is cleaning the bathroom. No matter how often you clean and scrub, the smell of pee can linger. And this is especially true when the bathroom is shared by multiple boys.
Urine has a strong, unpleasant odor that can leave a lingering smell even after thorough scrubbing and disinfecting. Thankfully, there are several natural ways to get rid of the stinky pee smell without using harsh chemicals or sacrificing your family’s health.
Vinegar
There are many uses for vinegar, and it’s one of the most effective and safest cleaners on the market. Vinegar kills bacteria and is an excellent deodorizer. It also removes tough stains, including those caused by urine. Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz the offending area for a quick solution.
Baking Soda
You may think of baking soda as a kitchen staple, but it’s also an effective way to get rid of pee smells in the bathroom. Sprinkle baking soda over the offending odors, and it will quickly fizz, soaking up the unwanted scent.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are popular in homemade bath products and home spa treatments. They are also great at soaking up scents, so hang an aromatic tea bag or coffee grounds in the bathroom to absorb and mask any odors.
A few drops of peppermint or lavender essential oil can go a long way in eliminating bathroom odors. These oils are extremely concentrated, so only a few drops are needed to create a pleasant fragrance that covers up pee odors.
Make toilet spray from ingredients you already have at home. Mix equal parts water and vinegar together with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Try e3’s Antiseptic blend or another citrus or floral-scented oil.
If you notice a foul odor in the bathroom after cleaning, it’s important to determine whether it’s a sign of something more serious, like a clogged drain or soaked subfloor. If the problem persists, contact a professional for assistance.
A lingering pee smell can be embarrassing, especially if your son is having an accident or making a mess. If you can’t eliminate the odor, it may be time to invest in a toilet flusher or a deodorizer that works with your plumbing system.
Clorox Urine Remover
Many cleaning products work to eliminate urine odors, but some are more effective than others. Clorox makes a specific product targeted for urine stains that work well on tile and other hard surfaces and fabrics like carpets, clothes, and mattresses. The combination of hydrogen peroxide, surfactants, and a low pH break down the uric acid crystals that cause odors. It’s a bleach-free formula that can be used before or after other cleaners with no surface safety concerns. It also has a lower environmental impact than most other commercially available cleaners.
You can find Clorox Urine Remover in a variety of form factors, including spray bottles. You can use it to treat a single stain or to clean an entire room. If you’re treating old stains, thoroughly clean using your usual cleaners and then spray the affected area. Allow to sit for ten minutes or so before wiping away. Repeat as needed until the odor is gone.
A simple cleaning routine can keep your boy’s bathroom smelling fresh and clean. Make sure to wash the walls and molding in addition to the toilet and floor. You should also check the hinges where the toilet seat and lid connect to the bowl. The crevices between these can hide splotches of pee that will quickly smell and stain.
Boys are notorious for forgetting to wipe the toilet seat after they’ve used it. This is especially true if they’re short or need to stand on a stool to reach the sink and toilet. When this happens, a little pee can spill over the side of the toilet and onto the floor or anywhere else it might land. Make sure to check and clean the rim, cracks, joints, and covers of your toilet regularly to prevent these accidents.
Another popular way to get rid of pee smells is to sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the offending areas. You can also mix baking soda with vinegar to create a paste and apply it to the offending area. This creates a fizzing reaction that will soak up the odor within a few minutes.
Fresh Air
When it comes to urine odor, fresh air is often the best solution. Odor control products may mask the smell for a while, but a thorough cleaning is the best way to banish it permanently. Start by doing a basic weekly clean. That includes a wipe down of the toilet seat, the rim, and the bowl, along with the surrounding flooring. Also, don’t forget to scrub and wipe the interior of the tank (or at least remove the lid), as it can be a trap for smelly bacteria.
Another cleaning essential is baking soda, which can double as a deodorizer. Sprinkle it on smelly areas or combine it with water to make a paste for scrubbing flooring or tile. It works well as an abrasive for tough stains and is an excellent neutralizer of acid-based odors. It’s also handy for removing odors from garbage disposals, simply pour some in the drain and wait until it bubbles and clears before running the disposal.
Sometimes lingering pee odors stem from a clogged drain. This is especially common in bathrooms with many people using them at the same time, which can cause hair and soap scum to accumulate and block the drain. A simple drain cleaner or a length of snake from the hardware store will usually get rid of the problem quickly and cheaply.
Finally, don’t forget to wash the walls around the bathroom. This is where a lot of pee ends up, especially when boys have bad aim! You might think you’re getting everything when you mop and wipe the floors, but often the stench is just in the wall.
If the odor persists, it’s probably time to call professionals to clean your plumbing system. This will help prevent any lingering urine odors from being trapped within your pipes. Having this done regularly is important as part of a general home maintenance plan. It will also help keep your pipes from leaking or breaking down and will make the overall bathroom look more professional. As a bonus, having the plumbing professionally cleaned will save you money on costly repairs in the future!
Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash
