Have you just thoroughly cleaned the toilet, but the unpleasant smell from the waste remains? It is often caused by deposits and bacteria deep in the pipes. And a simple combination of baking soda and vinegar can neutralize the smell in a few minutes.
Many people think that once they have thoroughly scrubbed the toilet, they are done. However, the smell often does not come from the bowl itself, but from the drain or tank, where bacteria, scale and dirt residues gradually settle. And it is these that create an unpleasant aroma that returns even after careful cleaning. Fortunately, there is a simple trick that even the pros use.
Limescale in the toilet is a problem for many households. Watch the interview with Kateřina Brožová and find out how she effectively fights it:
Why baking soda and vinegar work better than regular cleaners
they are among the oldest domestic helpers for cleaning. It can neutralize odors while gently loosening deposits without damaging the toilet surface or pipes. It works as a very fine abrasive that helps break up dirt and at the same time absorbs odors.
When baking soda combines with vinegar, a chemical fizzy reaction occurs. This helps to break down sediments, even small dirt that sticks in the pipe or on the walls of the drain. It is this reaction that can remove the source of the smell, not just its consequences.
„The combination of baking soda and vinegar is one of the simplest tricks that really works. At a cleaning company, we used it often when customers were dealing with toilet odors,” says Ivana Janáčková from Liberec, who worked for a cleaning company for many years.
How to use the mixture so that the smell really disappears
The procedure is very simple and anyone can do it. First, pour approx. into the toilet quarter cup of baking soda. Try to get the powder as close as possible to the drain, where the smell often lingers.
Then add about two cups of plain white vinegar. The mixture will immediately begin to fizz and foam. It is this reaction that helps loosen deposits and bacteria, which tend to be the main source of unpleasant odors. Leave the mixture on for at least fifteen minutes and then clean the toilet with a brush and flush.
According to Mrs. Janáčková, it is good to repeat this procedure from time to time. “People often only clean the visible part of the toilet. But most of the dirt is stuck where the brush can’t reach. Regular use of baking soda and vinegar will help keep the pipes really clean,” he explains.
When the smell keeps coming back
If the unpleasant smell returns often, the problem may be deposits in the tank or in the pipes. In this case, it helps to occasionally clean the inside of the tank, where scale or small dirt can accumulate.
It’s good too do not leave the toilet without flushing for a long time. Stagnant water creates an ideal environment for bacteria and mold to multiply. And what follows from this? Regular maintenance and simple home remedies often work better than strong chemicals that only cover the smell temporarily.
