Stinky Bathroom? Here’s How a Cleaning Expert Keeps It Fresh

Bathrooms are some of the most frequently used rooms in any home, which makes them prone to unwanted odors. The high moisture levels from sinks, showers, and tubs, combined with what we flush down the drains, can create the perfect breeding ground for musty smells.

The good news is that keeping your bathroom smelling fresh doesn’t have to be difficult. With a few simple, expert-backed strategies—like adding a dehumidifier or cleaning your drains regularly—you can significantly reduce unwanted odors and maintain a cleaner space.

Try Baking Soda

While it’s tempting to mask bad odors with air fresheners or potpourri, a better solution is to neutralize the smells. Baking soda is a natural cleaner that breaks down grease and grime, but it’s also excellent at absorbing and neutralizing odors. An easy and effective method is to place a small bowl or dish of baking soda on a bathroom shelf or inside a cabinet to keep the air fresh.

Use a Small Dehumidifier

Bathrooms tend to have more moisture than other areas of the house, thanks to showers, sinks, and bathtubs. Excess moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and musty odors. To combat this, consider adding a small dehumidifier to your bathroom.

“Excess moisture creates an environment for mold and mildew, often the hidden culprits behind persistent bathroom odors,” says Cara Palmer, founder of the home organization publication Organize Every Room. “I recommend placing it in a corner away from water sources and emptying it regularly.”

Add Plants to Purify the Air

Houseplants can do wonders for improving air quality and eliminating odors. Certain plants are known to remove pollutants from the air, converting them into nutrients. Some of the best air-purifying plants for the bathroom include spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies.

Clean Your Bathroom Drains

Your bathroom drains can be a major source of bad smells. They accumulate grime and gunk daily, and often, those odors linger. Thankfully, solving this issue is easy with a simple cleaning method.

“Pour a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar down the drains, followed by hot water after 15 minutes,” Palmer suggests. “This prevents the buildup of biofilm, that slimy layer of bacteria that causes persistent odors, even in otherwise clean bathrooms.”

Improve Bathroom Airflow

Since excess moisture is a common cause of bathroom odors, improving airflow can help reduce those smells. If your bathroom has a window, open it up when possible, or use a fan to promote ventilation. Personally, I always run the bathroom fan for a few minutes after showers to keep the air circulating. These small habits can make a big difference in reducing moisture and keeping your bathroom smelling fresh.

Use Charcoal Bags

Charcoal is another great option for absorbing bad odors, just like baking soda. Activated charcoal bags are an excellent, natural way to tackle lingering smells in your bathroom. Palmer says, “They’re my secret weapon for managing bathroom odors naturally. I place them behind toilets and inside cabinets.”

Charcoal bags are not only effective but also budget-friendly. You can refresh them by placing them in direct sunlight for a few hours each month, and they should continue absorbing odors for up to two years.

Add Candles and Essential Oils

If you’re looking to introduce a pleasant fragrance into your bathroom quickly—say, for an overnight guest or a special occasion—candles are a great option. I personally love using natural scents like pine or juniper to create a fresh atmosphere.

If you’d rather keep it more subtle, essential oils are a perfect choice. You can create a DIY air freshener, or as Palmer suggests, add a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oils to the inside of your toilet paper roll for a discreet, continuous scent.

Clean Regularly

Many bathroom odors stem from mold, mildew, clogged drains, dirty toilet bowls, and more. The best way to stay on top of this is with a regular cleaning routine.

Most experts recommend cleaning your bathroom weekly. A typical cleaning session should only take 15 to 20 minutes. But you can also adopt small daily habits—like wiping down your sink and countertop or hanging up damp towels to dry—to help prevent odors from building up.

With these tips, you can easily maintain a fresh and clean-smelling bathroom, no matter how often it’s used.