At Cleantec, we use the best way to eliminate lingering bathroom odors at home or in the workplace. Providing a comfortable place to relieve oneself is important for good hygiene and high morale.
However, when restrooms have a persistent smell of urine, mildew, or sewage, it becomes a real problem. Employees need to be more comfortable using the restrooms, which can affect productivity. Not to mention odors can indicate a more significant issue with potential health risks, such as black mold.
Fortunately, proper janitorial cleaning and maintenance should free workplace bathrooms from any lingering odors. Unlike other areas, a bathroom has many working parts. This means there is more opportunity for something to break or malfunction. Even if you conduct surface cleaning regularly, without an inspection and maintenance schedule, things like leaky faucets and malfunctioning vents can quickly cause a lot of damage.
Bathroom odors should be taken very seriously. First, your professional cleaning company should conduct surface-level cleaning. Next, they should conduct a deep clean, targeting areas with persistent odors. If cleaners only focus on surface levels, they temporarily relieve odors. By deep cleaning, they can locate the source of the lingering odor and determine whether something more serious is happening.
Best Way to Eliminate Bathroom Odors
Addressing bathroom odors at their source involves more than surface cleaning. Regular inspections and maintenance prevent minor issues, like leaks, from escalating. Hiring a professional cleaning company guarantees consistent upkeep.
So, what is causing the unpleasant smell in your workplace bathroom? Read on for common reasons for persistent bathroom odors and how your commercial cleaning service (or a plumber!) can resolve them.
Bacteria and Bathroom Odors
Bacteria is the leading cause of bathroom odors. Unfortunately, the unavoidable culprits of this bacteria are most likely urine and fecal matter. These substances contain a variety of foul-smelling bacteria that, even in the cleanest bathrooms, can spread to other surfaces and result in unpleasant odors.
Your professional cleaning company can prevent these odors from lingering with everyday cleaning and disinfecting. Start by pre-cleaning surfaces whether they look dirty or not. Pre-cleaning eliminates dirt, dust, etc., from the surface before disinfecting. Removing contaminants allows you to do a thorough job of disinfecting. Now your surface is ready to disinfect, killing the remaining germs.
Find a product approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The CDC provides a list of disinfectants for use against COVID-19, which can be found here.
Fungal Growth in Bathrooms
Just as bacteria is common in bathrooms, so is fungal growth. This is another cause of lingering bathroom odors. Unfortunately, many bathrooms are exposed to water spillage/pooling, moisture, improper drainage, and poor air circulation. These all make for an ideal breeding ground for mold, mildew, and other varieties of fungus.
Again, having a professional cleaning company perform daily cleaning and disinfecting your bathrooms can help prevent fungal growth. If you experience mold, mildew, or fungal growth in your bathroom, your cleaning service should have the proper cleaning solutions and equipment to remove it.
There is one problem with fungal growth, however. Sometimes it is out of sight and in hard-to-access areas. In this case, you may need to do some further investigation to find the source of the problem to resolve it.
Handling Sewage Fumes
We all have walked into a bathroom that smelled like a sewer and walked right back out, right? This is a lingering smell no one wants to experience.
Bathroom pipes send water and waste into the sewer system but cannot control where the fumes go. If there is nothing to block the fumes, they can travel back up the pipes and into the bathroom. Therefore, pipes are equipped with p-traps and water seals, blocking fumes from returning to the bathroom. If these seals are compromised, it is time to call a plumber and have them repaired! This will take care of that nasty sewage smell and get your bathrooms usable again.
Additional Methods to Keep Bathrooms Smelling Fresh
Beyond standard cleaning practices, maintaining a consistently pleasant-smelling bathroom can involve a few strategic methods beyond the usual cleaning routines. Here are some additional effective steps:
Utilize Natural Absorbents
Bamboo charcoal and baking soda are both effective odor-neutralizers. Bamboo charcoal absorbs unpleasant smells and also dehumidifies the air. Discreetly holding a small jar of baking soda on a counter can also help neutralize any unwanted smells that may linger between cleanings.
DIY Air Freshening Hacks
A simple yet powerful trick to maintain freshness is to make your air freshener. Mixing water, a few drops of essential oils (like lemon, eucalyptus, or peppermint), and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle provides a pleasant scent without overwhelming or masking bad smells. This is a great alternative to chemical sprays and can be customized to fit any preference.
Prevent Odor Buildup with Essential Oil Diffusers
Using an essential oil diffuser in the bathroom can keep the area smelling fresh and relaxing. Essential oils like lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus contribute to a spa-like ambiance. They can also help reduce airborne bacteria naturally. This method provides a gentle and constant fragrance that does not overpower or mask odors like traditional air fresheners
Preventing Bathroom Odors with Professional Help
Professional commercial cleaners know exactly what to look for when maintaining a bathroom. While we might only notice an empty stall, paper products, a mirror, and a sink, they catch details like a newly cracked tile in the corner or a small, mysterious puddle behind the toilet—signs that something might need attention.
This team of professionals will know intimately about a bathroom, as they regularly clean this area. They will know the source of any odors and the proper action to resolve the issue.
Many people turn to air fresheners to mask the smell of lingering bathroom odors. This is not a solution. Air fresheners do not eliminate bathroom odors, so they will not improve. In fact, they could get worse. Your commercial cleaning company can help identify issues and work with professionals to eliminate the source of odors, leaving you with pleasant-smelling restrooms!
With professional janitorial teams like us at Cleantec, facilities benefit from proactive maintenance that addresses the root causes of odors. We offer long-term solutions beyond temporary fixes like air fresheners. Cleantec’s experienced team inspects and cleans so that restrooms remain fresh and welcoming. Our services improve restroom conditions and contribute to overall workplace comfort and productivity.
For dependable, odor-free results, consider Cleantec’s expert maintenance and cleaning programs for your facility’s needs and to maintain a hygienic, pleasant restroom experience.
Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.
Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.
