How to Freshen a Really Stinky Bathroom – the kind that boys use
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One word.
Boys.
If you live with any of the male gender, you know what I’m talking about without my having to even explain. I’ve never seen a bathroom this gross. I grew up with three sisters, so I had NO FREAKING IDEA how gross boys could be.
But I have the answer and the answer awaits!
That toilet up there, let me show you the real picture so you can get the full effect.
I’ll let that gross you out for a second. I mean, seriously. Look at the bottom of the toilet below the rim on the front. YACK.
Truth be told, now. I did let that toilet get a bit nasty on purpose. I don’t want you thinking that I just let it go until I have to wear a gas mask to even get in there.
But even if I clean it more often, there’s something about those boys. It doesn’t matter how old they are, for some reason, they can’t quite get their aim true.
Yuck.
So, let me tell you how to get this stinky, stanky bathroom from smelling like a rat pack lives there.
How to Freshen a Really, Stinky Bathroom
What you need:
- All Natural Scouring Scrub
- Spray Bottle of Vinegar
- DIY Toilet Fizz Bombs {optional}
First, clear the floor so you can get to all the gunk. Move the trashcan and scrubber or any other stuff hanging out there.
Grab your All Natural Scouring Scrub.
This stuff is AH-MA-ZING. It’s smells so much better than store bought scouring scrub, you’ll think you’ve just moved up to a de-luxe apartment in the sky.
Sprinkle the All Natural Scouring Scrub everywhere. Just toss it up and let it fly. {j/k… take a spoon or a scoop and be strategic.}
Oh, gag. I can’t look at that and not throw up a little.
Spread it out as best you can over the floor and other surfaces.
Then spray liberally with your Vinegar.
BTW. Not the most effective spray bottle. Be sure you have one that sprays liberally.
I had to go grab my other one from the kitchen to really get the bubbles going.
Let it react for a few minutes. 2-3, I’d say.
While the vinegar is at work, take a DIY Toilet Fizz Bomb and drop it in the toilet. Sprinkle the bowl with scouring scrub as well. We want to double team this stinky guy.
Scrub it well.
Then take a scrub brush or toothbrush and scrub away and the gunk from the floors and the toilet.
Be sure to get all over and around the toilet where the hidden stink lies.
There are lots of little places where that stink may be hiding!
Once you’ve scrubbed everything that even remotely looks like it holds some stinkiness, take some paper towels or a rag and wipe everything up. You might need to dampen your paper towels to really get the scouring scrub up well.
So, you can see how much better it looks, but I wish you could smell how much better it smells!
It’s as if no boys have ever darkened the door to this ivory palace! The vinegar and scouring scrub really gets rid of that powerful smell.
You can see there is still a little yuck where the lid is attached and around the base of the toilet. I’m coming back to show you how to really, DEEP CLEAN a toilet. Be on the lookout!
You can see the grout is still a bit yucky, too. I haven’t made it into this bathroom yet, but here the best way I’ve found to renew grout! I’ve tried everything and nothing but this has worked.
I promise this bathroom will never get that nasty again. EVER. It makes me shiver to think about it, kwim?
Ready to whip your house into shape naturally? For more great freshening ideas…
Just visit my Naturally Fresh Home Gallery!
My boys bathroom looked exactly like this. I just cleaned it with terribly harsh chemicals. My eyes were burning and my lungs were sore the whole day. Never again. Thanks for your tips. I have no idea how boys can make a bathroom so nasty! And you’re right, their are so many places where the nasties are. But at least now I won’t be exposing myself to those dangerous chemicals.
Oh, Mary! I’m so glad you stopped by. I love using these natural cleaners. They smell so good and work so well.
My boys never cease to amaze me at how gross they get stuff. Let me know how it goes!
WOW! what a difference! sawyer used to be a really neat pee-er and i thought i was blessed with one of those boys who didn’t pee all over…. but over the last year he has gotten sloppy because he hurries. like shuts the lid while he is still shaking off and there is pee all over the top side of the lid. who does that? oh yeah, my kid.
Haha! My boys are THE worst. Like, how many times to do I have tell him to lift the freaking lid. I go to sit down and get all wet. Uck.
I went through the same thing…yuck! So I had to make the rule that if I find drips on the seat, my boy gets to sit down to pee for the next week. If it happens again during the week he’s supposed to be sitting (he’s 14, I can’t exactly watch to see if he’s sitting), he has to clean the toilet inside and out. His aim is much bether lately, ha ha! 😂
That’s awesome!!! I still have to give “flushing” lessons… ha!
Gwen
For a minute there, I thought you snuck in the bathroom that my 2 boys use! Can’t wait to give this a try!
Haha! Aren’t boys gross?
i think it’s a song…where ever two or more of them are gathered without aim, there is gunk….oh there is gunk. Please tell me you are not too young to have ever heard the original?
Haha! Nope. I’ve sung the original many times at weddings!
Oh. Em. gee! THAT is my boys bathroom! Its awful smelling! and when they crapped up theirs, my youngest son tried coming into my bathroom. Heck no you don’t mister! Keep that sprayer in your own bathroom and if you don’t like the smell, clean it or learn to aim better! seriously. Do both.
Oh, my! Boys are so gross, aren’t they?
Oh my goodness, I’m glad I’m not the only one who has a nasty bathroom. I’ve tried to convince my husband that boys bathrooms are more gross than girls to no avail. I love your tip to clean all around the outside of the toilet too, as I have found that’s the source of the biggest stink.
And the award for bravest and most daringly honest blogger goes to….
You are my hero. I was certain I had the only bathroom on Earth who had that lovely splashing bladder ring of shame on the lid bottom and the bowl. Turns out the problem isn’t me, it’s the MALE SPECIES. Whew. I will try this system THIS WEEKEND. The department of health and I thank you!
Haha! You made me laugh out loud, Rose!
Tell them stinky boys to sit down and pee if they can’t do any better than that. P. ‘s. You need a new toilet ring.
Haha! I’ve tried that… And I’ll get my hubs on that toilet ring asap!
Have you ever tried TileX root penatrator with bleach? You can find it at Walmart. It works on floor grout, showers ect…. I have used it on anything and everything that is bleach safe and it comes clean. I even used it on a greasy white kitchen fan and rust on my floor tile. I even used it to get my white pants back to white. 🙂 It all comes up!!
Hi Theresa,
No, I’ve never tried that. Is it a natural product? I’m trying to stay away from chemically type cleaners.
Thanks!
I also need to stay away from harsh chemicals now as much as possible but I had some struggle areas that would not come clean and it drove me nuts. My hair dresser has OCD said she uses TileX root penetrator with bleach (other types of TileX didn’t work) I would spray it on and and leave it for about 10-15 minutes and wipe or toothbrush clean. When I used it on my white pants in a front load washer it also cleaned the barrel and it’s still clean a month later (no stink in my towels at all) still fresh!! These problem areas using TileX was a desperate measure for me. Mr. Clean magic eraser is my other miracle cleaner around the house, toaster, walls, stove top ect… 🙂 Just a thought to try if all else fails. It worked!! 🙂
Thank so much for the info, Theresa! I will definitely keep it in mind!
Oh yeah. Same story here. Would you think this can be used on the stone floor? Many products aren’t appropriate for stone because it is porous.
Hi Jessica! I’m not sure about the stone since I have ceramic tile so I didn’t check. Be sure to look into it before trying it out!
Gwen
Vinegar is definitely bad for any porous stone like limestone, travertine, etc. where could you check it out? It may be natural but it is super acidic and will eat holes in your stone! I don’t know about hydrogen peroxide
I raised 5 boys, so I totally get where you are coming from. So nice now with only my hubby and me. You need to get one of those snazzy toilet seats that come off for cleaning. So awesome, Thought I had died and gone to heaven when I found one!!
What? Where can I get one of those? I’m off to Google that, Vikki! Thanks for the tip!
I got mine at Lowes. Was a life saver if you know what I mean.
Thanks, Vikki! I’ll definitely look that up!
I haven’t been able to find the citric acid anywhere. Have tried 8 stores and no luck. Where did you get yours from??
I found mine on Amazon, Elaine. LOVE Amazon!
Gwen
Finally ordered it from there… can’t wait to try this, Gwen! Thank you!
Awesome, Elaine! I hope you love it!!!
I buy my citric acid at Walmart it’s with the canning supplies.
Did I miss something, I don’t see the recipe for the homemade scour mix???
There is a link in the post, but here it is, Pat: https://www.theboldabode.com/all-natural-scouring-scrub.html
Don’t worry. I miss stuff like that all the time!
Gwen
If you get a plastic toilet seat it can’t absorb the stains like the others. Don’t know how many toilet seats I replaced until I found out that.
Cindy,
Thanks so much!
Gwen
Let me tell ya — I’m a momma to 3 stink bombs and YES…. THEY ARE SO GROSS! I told my husband that I need a maid just for the bathrooms. He asked why. I said… BECAUSE I DO NOT MISS! So, being the sole source of estrogen means that I’m above it! HAHAHAHA I totally am going to make some of your homemade scouring soap. The stuff with bleach and chemicals HURTS MY LUNGS!
April,
You go girl! Hope it helps!
Thanks,
Gwen
Don’t forget to wipe the baseboards and walls behind and around the toilet…YES, they spray those also. I have also had to wash the shower curtain that hangs near our toilet. Now…if I could train them to put the toilet seat back down when they’re finished. 🙂
Michelle,
Wouldn’t that be nice? 🙂 Good advice!
Thanks,
Gwen
Well, this was several years too late for me as my 3 boys are grown now but I do have some toilet nightmares from back then…like poop stuck underneath the seat hard as cement that took about 10 minutes to scrub off:( Now it’s just hubby and me and, even tho he so kindly tries to pee off the poop stains, I have the time to scrub his toilet every day! Great tip tho:)
Ria,
Thanks for sharing!
Gwen
Any suggestions for the painted walls in the boys’ “water closet”.
Thrilled to have discovered your posts…..
Thanks so much, Janice! So glad to have you!
I am cracking up! Thanks for the great tips 😉