Stinky Bathroom? The Easy Fix That's Hiding In Your Kitchen

Did you know there's an easy fix for a stinky bathroom that's probably hiding in plain sight in your kitchen? If your bathroom tends to hang onto bad smells even after a decent scrub-down, believe it or not, a scoop or two of dry, used coffee grounds can help keep smelly air at bay. Thanks to the nitrogen compounds and activated carbon that naturally occurs in coffee along with the porous structure of its grounds, this stuff has the power to trap stinky compounds, neutralizing their odor. It's one of several DIY remedies that'll leave your bathroom smelling fresh as can be. And it's cheap, clean, and surprisingly effective if you like the smell of coffee to begin with.

However, this shouldn't be seen as a long-term fix or a replacement for cleaning. While coffee grounds have the capability to hold onto odors, they won't kill bacteria or address the root cause of mildew. Only regular cleaning will tackle the stink at its source. Still, it's a handy trick to try between deep cleans, especially if you already keep coffee in the house.

Once your morning brew is waiting in the pot, reserve those grounds for odor eating. Spread the wet grounds onto a baking sheet or a few layers of paper towel (or both), and let them dry fully; damp grounds may attract fruit flies.

You can simply pour some dry, used grounds into a small dish or breathable pouch, then place it on a shelf or near the toilet. For a pretty upgrade, put about a cup of grounds in a small jar, and top it with a circle of breathable fabric and a ribbon or a canning jar ring.

And hey, if you're already experimenting with this at home, you might be interested to know there are many unexpected ways to use leftover coffee grounds in your yard and garden. Just be sure to steer clear of the things you should never do with coffee grounds around your home and garden.