A bathroom is bound to smell, but not always for the most obvious reasons. It could be because of a variety of factors, ranging from the level of ventilation in your bathroom to the cleanliness of the drains. A buildup of bacteria also contributes greatly to producing bad odours. Thankfully there are plenty of ways to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.
First thing’s first – Hygiene
The first thing is to clean your bathroom well and clean it regularly. Poor cleaning techniques can leave behind germs that can cause lingering odours. Investing in some good cleaning supplies also goes a long way in ensuring proper hygiene.
Another important element of hygiene is keeping your bathroom well ventilated. The circulation of air in your bathroom is a must, as flushing releases odour causing bacteria to spread in the air, and hot air from hot showers can result in the buildup of mildew over time. If the same air is constantly trapped and recycled, it can lead to a musty smell that remains. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to crack open a window or turn on a fan from time to time.
Alternatively, desiccants are designed to absorb water and moisture and are found commonly in the form of gels, like silica packets. While leaving these in the open in your bathroom is an easy solution, these are toxic materials. And if you have kids in the house, it’s not the best idea to leave these lying around. Plants, on the other hand, are natural desiccants and make great air fresheners. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that they also amp up the class when put in any corner or on a counter.
Ensure you check for leaking pipes as well in case your walls are always damp, as the source of the smell might be from damage that isn’t visible.
Smell you later
Masking smells is also a great solution. A bowl of potpourri adds a fun element to a bathroom, and can even add a pop of colour to a space, especially since most bathrooms follow a monochromatic colour scheme. A lot of people also opt to stow a bathroom air freshener in a cabinet as a quick fix. At the same time, air fresheners can be quite strong and overpowering which doesn’t sit well with people sensitive to strong smells. In that case, scented candles are not only good odour eliminators but can also create a more relaxed and soothing environment. Some of the best bathroom air fresheners are essential oils, or a concocted homemade bathroom freshener. Our mothers would certainly have their own recipe that they swear by. The most common of these is a mix of 3 parts water, 1 part rubbing alcohol and several drops of any essential oil. Another common DIY bathroom freshener consists of baking soda, vinegar and citrus. These have stood the test of time, and are sure shot ways to ensure a pleasant odour.
Tech-savvy bathrooms
New technologies have enabled bathroom fittings to be more advanced, so as to enable easier standards of maintenance and thus, better hygiene. For example, glass shower enclosures are a lot more hygienic than open ones. With shower curtains, your bathroom is more prone to become a breeding ground for mould and the growth of other types of bacteria. With glass enclosures, this risk is removed entirely. Another factor is that these kinds of enclosures prevent water from spreading everywhere. Surfaces do not remain wet for too long, making them a much more hygienic option compared to its counterparts.
Some people also opt to use devices that use UV lights, which can be attached or installed in or to the toilet bowl itself. The UV light sanitizes the bowl as well as the air, killing off germs before they can spread and result in bad odours. Toilets are also designed more smartly, with engineered flushing systems to help keep your toilet bowl smelling fresh. There are also different types of toilet bowls, that incorporate technologies that make them anti-germ glazing, ensuring clean and odour free bathrooms.
Jaquar has a range of products under their sanitaryware range, that have been designed keeping in mind the importance of hygiene and cleanliness in any bathroom, as bathrooms play an extremely functional role in our lives. They have a range of toilets that are rimless, easy to install, and designed with the intent of keeping bad odours out.