Ecofriendly, DIY bathroom deodorizers

(Photo: Claudia Snell / Caringsoap.com
on Flickr)

Deodorizers can be expensive and even dangerous. They also may contain
harmful toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde.
The National Institute
of Occupational Safety and Health found 884 toxic substances in a survey
of about 3,000 chemicals used in artificial fragrances. The institute
reports that the chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects, and
neurological and reproductive disorders. Fragrances also can trigger
asthma and allergic reactions.



It’s cheaper and safer to make your own with basic household items. Here are 10 ways to have a great-smelling bathroom:


1. Squirt hand soap into the toilet bowl and give a quick swish with the toilet brush
to cut odors. Do this instead of spraying the room with a room
deodorizing spray.

2. Before guests arrive, quickly freshen up by grating some
orange zest in the bathroom. A strong, desirable orange smell will
overpower bathroom odors. Or try this cinnamon-pear air freshener recipe.


3. Harness the power of baking soda, as you probably already do in the
refrigerator. Baking soda absorbs most odors. Fill a small bowl
with baking soda, and replace monthly. Simply leave the neutral smell of
baking soda or add naturally scented bath salts to the mix. You can
also cover the bowl with marbles, flower petals, or other “disguises,” as
long as they don’t completely cover the baking soda itself.


4. Vinegar
also absorbs odors. To deodorize the bathroom quickly, wipe down the
walls and other surfaces with white vinegar. Focus on the area around
the toilet, where the walls may have absorbed smells and more. If
toilets are flushed with the lid up, contaminated water vapor can spray
several feet and linger on surfaces.



5. For an even simpler odor solution,
pour vinegar into the toilet and let it work for an hour or so before
flushing. For extra deodorizing power, mix baking soda and vinegar in
the toilet.

6. Put small amounts of sweet-smelling essential oil on cotton balls, and
place them in a small bowl on a shelf or in a cup in the medicine
cabinet.

7. A variation on essential oil on cotton
balls: Push the cotton balls between the toilet paper roll and the
holder. The essential oil scent will be released every time someone
rolls the toilet paper, just when the perfume is needed most.

8. Light scented or unscented candles
in the bathroom. A small tray of incense on top of the toilet is also a
good solution. You can simply leave matches out in an attractive
container, and let users take care of their odors.

9. Fresh eucalyptus leaves are a very
effective bathroom deodorizer. You can buy them from a local
florist. Keep them in a vase above the toilet. Networx editor Chaya
Goodman effectively uses a vase of eucalyptus branches to mask the odor
of some very old plumbing in her apartment.

10. For a more permanent (albeit more complicated) deodorizer, look for a
miniature potpourri crock pot at thrift stores or garage sales. Then mix
up your own potpourri with standard grocery store items such as
cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange peels, and vanilla extract.


These 10 simple DIY bathroom deodorizers are cheaper than commercial
products and avoid many of the potentially harmful chemicals and other
artificial ingredients. Got more tips? Leave a comment on this
article.