How to Keep Your Bathroom Smelling Fresh 24/7

By Elizabeth Alvarez

2 min read

Let’s face it, having IBS means using the bathroom on a regular basis. It is what it is. And if you have a home with multiple bathrooms, that is always a sigh of relief because chances are you have your own space for when the urgency hits. Multiple bathrooms mean one can always be left smelling fresh and looking sparkling clean for guests at any given moment.

However, what about those that only have one bathroom in their home, and/or those that share a bathroom with a spouse/roommate/family member, or what have you. Well, things, in this case, can be a bit tricky. There is nothing worse than having a bad bathroom episode and not having the tools to leave the restroom ready for someone else to use afterward.

So since we use the bathroom quite often, I thought I’d share some tips to help keep your washroom smelling light, bright and fresh!

Always curtesy flush

I’m starting with the basics here. When you are using the toilet, make sure to always flush after a bowel movement. You want to get rid of the root cause of the odor as quickly as possible so that you lessen lingering smells. So always, always constantly flush!

Get an oil diffuser

Put an oil diffuser in the bathroom. I find that an oil diffuser does better than a candle. Candles tend to mask smells but there is something about an oil diffuser, that I feel actually does a great job of getting rid of smells.

I have a diffuser ready to go on the counter of my bathroom. Anytime I use the restroom I simply turn it on and it does a great job of making the restroom smell fresh. I also leave it on after I am finished in the washroom.

Have a good quality air freshener displayed

In addition to the diffuser, I always have some type of air freshener displayed for guests and of course myself to use. I buy ones that are made with essential oils as well and find that they work the best. Poo-Pourri is also a good option.

Pour fragrant liquid into the toilet tank

I saw this tip online and decided to try it, well it worked! Get any good smelling cleaning liquid. It can be Pine-Sol or even laundry detergent. Take a cap full and pour it into the toilet tank. Every time you flush a nice fragrance will be released. It’s a nice little trick.

Keep up with cleaning the toilet

This is probably the most obvious, but since you will be using the toilet way more than the average person, it is important that you also clean the toilet more often. I find myself constantly taking toilet cleaner and scrubbing the inside of the toilet to keep it sparkling clean. This is probably in the end, the most important thing you can do, so make sure you stay on top of your toilet scrubbing!

What other tips do you use to keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean? Share below, we love when you share with the community!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The IrritableBowelSyndrome.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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TheGrayCyclone Member
I question and Pine Sol or some type of cleaning solution in a toilet tank. It seems to me that some additives would cause problems with parts of the toilet inserts. But that’s a question perhaps a plumber can answer.
1. Michaela Contributor
 Hmm that's a good point. I guess it goes with out saying make sure you're doing your research and checking with professionals before doing anything you're not sure of. It'd be really unfortunate to screw up the toilet!-Michaela (irritablebowelsyndrome.net Team Member)
janice-74 Member
I go out. My Depend goes on. Once a cramp hits me. No stopping its coming out. No nerve or muscle control. Half the time I overflow the diaper, before I can get in a bathroom somewhere to try to clean up. I carry bag. But floors and all in stores are nasty. Most only have blowers for your hands. I've had to clean a bathroom with overflow falling out of a diaper . Trying to clean and change in a small stall. I've been so mad and disgusted. I've got a Drs excuse to give to people if they say anything to me. I got one after a cop pulled up when I pulled over to go over guardrail. It was coming out. I told him I didn't have time to talk to him. I had bowel health problems. Told me a bathroom was just a mile down road. I said I couldn't make that far. When it hits I got to get my panties down. I wear summer dresses a lot to help little easier .For hard cramps have your Dr to prescribe you Levsin. Best there us to stop cramps , intestine and stomach spasms. So you won't have to keep cramping feel you have to keep going. Sometime I feel like I'm finished . Come out have to turn around holding my breath terrified to get back in stall . I've had to set over 30 min going back to back trying to work along with that. Mainly you would starve and dehydrate yourself to not go to bathroom or accidents around everybody. IBS-D and everyone of these stomach intestine issues runs your life. If you never had it. You don't know or understand how we feel. I won't date. Or ride in others vehicles. That's where my life is with it. I've had accidents in my home. Car. I keep pads and towels in my seats all time. My health not good over all this. I pray for all dealing with it . Mine started way back 1990 after gall bladder surgery. Blockage after that in sm Intestine. From there stomach wrap , hiatal hernia repair. Neurostimulator for Bowel Incontinence put in. Helped 50%. But still accidents. Its been 10 yrs with battery inside me. So its coming out soon as time and goes dead. Close by now. Some Drs do not understand even gasterologusts that's not experienced. Just learns and studies. On you just got IBS-D . Well its a life changer. No cure. Just meds which dehydrates you. I pray for a healing everyday for me and everybody. Nausea comes a lot after you eat. Most time you feel sick either way. Just got to be prepared everyday. Went to cruise in. I love to go see cars. I don't eat nor drink in hot sun. I've had my share of accidents in front of people at those to. I've pulled in car washes. Washed myself, my bottom clothes. And wore them wet. I've cried been so embarrased to many times. Depend does help a lot till you can get in. I've used trash cans with bags in them when stalls were filled up. Grabbed what I could. Got bag out took out to their dumpster. Not a good smell. In fact worst smell in a human being cause of bacteria. I carry sprays with me. Extra trash bags for everything. Hugs to all on here. 
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="janice-74" user-id="2333853"/> This is so heartbreaking to read. My heart goes out to you. I've only had one bad accident in public before and it was the worst experience of my life. I remember it like it was yesterday. I hope you get relief from the urgency. Sending big hugs to you, Elizabeth (team member)
minna Member
Janice74, I am devastated for you. I am 100% consumed with my IBS which can switch from C to D in the matter of a day. But I have never had the experiences you have. I can only say that you are a very strong person.