A smelly bathroom can be frustrating, especially when you clean it regularly. While most people focus on obvious areas like the toilet and sink, unpleasant odours often come from overlooked spots. A professional cleaner on social media has revealed that most people miss essential cleaning tasks, which can lead to bad smells lingering.
Expert Shares Common Mistakes
Kellsie Cleaning Tutorials took to TikTok to share: "If your bathroom still smells after you clean, this is probably why. It's not always what you think. Most people miss these two spots."
1. Toilet Seat Hinges
When it comes to your toilet, most people clean the toilet seat and the surface around it, but a professional cleaner says you could be missing the most important area: the hinges. Kelsie shared: "Those hinges trap bacteria, urine and grime, and that's where odour starts. It builds in areas you can't see just from wiping the surface. Once you clean under there, you'll notice a difference immediately."
According to industry experts at Bathroom Mountain, removing the toilet seat helps improve odour control by ensuring cleaning products reach every surface, while making it easier to target difficult-to-clean spots with standard tools. Kelsie also noted: "And don't forget the bidet if you have one. Most bidet seats have a quick-release button on the side. Remove it, then clean underneath the seat and around the base plate really well. That area traps moisture and buildup."
2. The Floor
Bathroom floors can easily collect germs because they are often wet and warm. Dirt and moisture create the perfect place for bacteria and mould to grow. Regularly cleaning the floor helps keep your bathroom fresh and hygienic. Kelsie said: "That smell around your toilet, it's not usually the toilet. It's urine soaked into the grout, and once it's in there, a quick mop is not going to touch it."
She added: "You need to deep clean the grout. A steam cleaner works really well for this because it pulls everything up deep inside the grout. That's what actually removes the odour instead of just masking it." If you do not have a steam cleaner, experts at Screwfix recommend bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. This natural cleaning method can help remove stains, but vinegar may damage some types of tile. It is always best to test it in a small, hidden area first to ensure it is safe to use.
