5 Ways to Get Rid of That Mildew Odor in Your Bathroom—for Good
Published at : August 27, 2021
Bathrooms are prime breeding grounds for mildew, which leaves a distinctive, not-so-fresh scent in the air. Here are proven methods to deal with it.
Have you ever walked into your bathroom and thought: My God! What is that smell? Mildew could be to blame for transforming your special oasis into stink central. Don’t panic, we’re here to help.
Mildew, or mold in its early stage, tends to be found in wet, moisture-prone areas. It looks grayish-white but can turn brown over time. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mildew can grow on wood products, ceiling tiles, insulation, wallpaper, carpet, drywall, fabric, plants, and other organic materials that are commonly found in bathrooms. And once the fungus makes its way onto your precious towels and tiles, you need to get serious about eradicating it.
You can get rid of that mildew misery and restore your bathroom to its former lavender-scented glory in no time. Ready to scrub away that stale stink? Here’s how.
0:26 - 1. Wash it
The first step to battling the mildew stench is to wash everything. This means washing those hand-towels that have been hanging in the bathroom forever, the musty bathroom rugs, and the stale window curtains. When laundering, experts suggest adding one cup of white vinegar to wash the load. Frequently wash your nonslip mats, too. And, toss that vinyl shower curtain and replace it with a washable cotton, hemp, or nylon shower curtain.
For items that can withstand bleach, FEMA recommends using a 10% solution or 1.25 to 1.5 cup of bleach to a gallon of water. The bleach/water solution can also be used to wipe down shower doors, cabinets, and walls, and to mop hard floors around bathtubs and toilets.
0:50 - 2. Address any water issues
Water can be the big culprit behind that nasty smell. A mildew stain can come from a slow drain leak around a drain or under a sink. The same thing can happen with toilets if a wax ring seal, which seals the toilet to the flange, has a slight leak that is allowing small amounts of water to seep out under the toilet. Bathtubs can also occasionally get a mildew smell if they’re not properly sealed and if small amounts of water get between the wall and the tub. A bleaching solution can scrub away mildew on top of caulk, but if it’s underneath, it will need to be completely removed and properly recaulked.
1:13 - 3. Let the bathroom breathe
Dark, damp, warm rooms make for a happy home for mildew to thrive. To remedy this, open the windows and let fresh air in. If you don’t have a window in the bathroom, keep the bathroom door cracked open when showering. If you need more privacy and prefer to shower with the door closed (no judgment!), install a ceiling fan or consider running an electric fan to keep air moving. Open your cabinets so they can get fresh air, too.
1:40 - 4. Use an air purifier
Mildew reeks, but it can also make people with allergies or asthma sick or irritate their eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. A high-performing air purifier in the bathroom will remove the unhealthy mold and bacteria in the air, and make the smell disappear.
2:05 - 5. Try an odor eliminator
Odor-absorbing items can help. Charcoal briquettes, an open box of baking soda, or a small pouch of kitty litter can make the bathroom smell fresher by absorbing the odor and the moisture in the air. However, make sure to replace them every month or so. Natural air fresheners, like essential oils or citrus peels, can also cut the stench.
More DIY & Home Improvement videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmlKLrMX62MYzd3_dhZEuW6SfHSe-0REF
*********
Find your home on https://www.realtor.com
*********
Download our mobile app: https://www.realtor.com/mobile
*********
Follow us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realtor.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/realtordotcom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtordotcom
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/realtordotcom
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
Learn More about the home buying process: "Home Buying 101: How Do I Get Started?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqZI4ZvjcRM
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
#realtor #realestate
Have you ever walked into your bathroom and thought: My God! What is that smell? Mildew could be to blame for transforming your special oasis into stink central. Don’t panic, we’re here to help.
Mildew, or mold in its early stage, tends to be found in wet, moisture-prone areas. It looks grayish-white but can turn brown over time. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mildew can grow on wood products, ceiling tiles, insulation, wallpaper, carpet, drywall, fabric, plants, and other organic materials that are commonly found in bathrooms. And once the fungus makes its way onto your precious towels and tiles, you need to get serious about eradicating it.
You can get rid of that mildew misery and restore your bathroom to its former lavender-scented glory in no time. Ready to scrub away that stale stink? Here’s how.
0:26 - 1. Wash it
The first step to battling the mildew stench is to wash everything. This means washing those hand-towels that have been hanging in the bathroom forever, the musty bathroom rugs, and the stale window curtains. When laundering, experts suggest adding one cup of white vinegar to wash the load. Frequently wash your nonslip mats, too. And, toss that vinyl shower curtain and replace it with a washable cotton, hemp, or nylon shower curtain.
For items that can withstand bleach, FEMA recommends using a 10% solution or 1.25 to 1.5 cup of bleach to a gallon of water. The bleach/water solution can also be used to wipe down shower doors, cabinets, and walls, and to mop hard floors around bathtubs and toilets.
0:50 - 2. Address any water issues
Water can be the big culprit behind that nasty smell. A mildew stain can come from a slow drain leak around a drain or under a sink. The same thing can happen with toilets if a wax ring seal, which seals the toilet to the flange, has a slight leak that is allowing small amounts of water to seep out under the toilet. Bathtubs can also occasionally get a mildew smell if they’re not properly sealed and if small amounts of water get between the wall and the tub. A bleaching solution can scrub away mildew on top of caulk, but if it’s underneath, it will need to be completely removed and properly recaulked.
1:13 - 3. Let the bathroom breathe
Dark, damp, warm rooms make for a happy home for mildew to thrive. To remedy this, open the windows and let fresh air in. If you don’t have a window in the bathroom, keep the bathroom door cracked open when showering. If you need more privacy and prefer to shower with the door closed (no judgment!), install a ceiling fan or consider running an electric fan to keep air moving. Open your cabinets so they can get fresh air, too.
1:40 - 4. Use an air purifier
Mildew reeks, but it can also make people with allergies or asthma sick or irritate their eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. A high-performing air purifier in the bathroom will remove the unhealthy mold and bacteria in the air, and make the smell disappear.
2:05 - 5. Try an odor eliminator
Odor-absorbing items can help. Charcoal briquettes, an open box of baking soda, or a small pouch of kitty litter can make the bathroom smell fresher by absorbing the odor and the moisture in the air. However, make sure to replace them every month or so. Natural air fresheners, like essential oils or citrus peels, can also cut the stench.
More DIY & Home Improvement videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmlKLrMX62MYzd3_dhZEuW6SfHSe-0REF
*********
Find your home on https://www.realtor.com
*********
Download our mobile app: https://www.realtor.com/mobile
*********
Follow us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realtor.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/realtordotcom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realtordotcom
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/realtordotcom
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
Learn More about the home buying process: "Home Buying 101: How Do I Get Started?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqZI4ZvjcRM
-~-~~-~~~-~~-~-
#realtor #realestate
real estatehome ownershipdiy