As the monsoon sets in, a familiar household nuisance returns for many, a musty, foul smell creeping out of the bathroom. The problem tends to be worse in bathrooms that have no window or poor airflow, where trapped moisture, weak ventilation and grime stuck inside the drain combine to create an odour strong enough to make it uncomfortable to even step inside, let alone face guests visiting the house. The good news is that fixing this does not require an expensive chemical spray or a store-bought air freshener, a handful of everyday kitchen ingredients can be turned into an effective homemade fix.
Why bathrooms smell worse during the rains
Humidity levels rise naturally during the rainy season, and when a bathroom lacks proper ventilation, that moisture lingers on the walls, floor and around the drain. This dampness becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, which are the main source of the odour. On top of that, hair, soap scum and small debris keep collecting inside the drain over time, gradually turning into a rotten smell of their own. The effect is even more noticeable in small, closed bathrooms, since stale air has nowhere to escape.
Making a scented box at home
To keep this smell under control, a small but sturdy plastic box can be put together at home. Start by adding 2 teaspoons of salt into it. Next, crush 2 to 3 camphor tablets and mix them into the same box. Add a little liquid dishwashing soap along with 4 to 6 cloves. Once everything is mixed well, close the lid of the box. This mixture should then be placed in a safe corner of the bathroom, somewhere out of children's reach.
Poking holes in the lid
For the fragrance inside the box to spread through the room, a few tiny holes need to be made in the lid. This is done by carefully heating a fork over the gas flame and using it to punch small holes into the lid. These openings let the scent of the salt, camphor, dishwashing liquid and cloves seep out slowly and spread through the bathroom. Once the holes are made, the box should be placed back in a secure corner, away from both children and pets, and positioned so that it cannot easily tip over.
Fragrance alone will not fix the real problem
The scent of camphor and cloves can mask a bathroom's smell for a while, but it does not deal with the actual source of the odour. That is why, if a strong smell keeps coming from the drain, it needs to be cleaned out regularly. Any dirt or dampness building up in the bathroom should also be wiped away from time to time, and ventilation should be kept as good as possible so that air keeps moving through the space. The floor should not be left wet for too long after the bathroom has been used. Following all of these habits together can help keep a bathroom clean, dry and fresh.
Safety points worth remembering
Extra care is needed while punching holes into the plastic box. The plastic should never be held directly over an open gas flame, since heating it that way can release harmful fumes. It is safer to use a proper tool meant for making such holes wherever one is available. If a heated fork is used anyway, the gas should be switched off first, and the holes should be made carefully only after that. Camphor should always be kept away from fire, the stove and any hot surface, and the box itself should be stored somewhere children and pets cannot reach.
When it is time to call a plumber
This simple home remedy can help tone down a mild, everyday bathroom smell for some time, but it should not be relied on if the odour is persistent or smells like a sewer. In such cases, the drain, pipes, leakage points or any dampness in the walls need to be properly inspected. The trick works only for light odours, and a genuine plumbing or cleaning problem should be handled by a plumber or a cleaning professional instead.
