Where Your Bathroom Smell Could Really Be Coming From

If you notice a lingering stench after a round of deep cleaning your bathroom, then there's reason to believe that the thing responsible for the odor is hiding in plain sight. Unpleasant smells that never seem to go away often point to trapped moisture. When left unnoticed for too long, trapped moisture becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Such microbes release musty odors that even the most fragrant air freshener can never mask.

There are places in the bathroom where undetected mold and mildew can thrive. One, in particular, that is often neglected and rarely checked is the exhaust fan. Since it is designed to remove undesirable air from an enclosed space, the exhaust fan often comes into contact with air loaded with dust and moisture. As a result, the blades and the entire unit itself become a breeding ground for microbes. Even the ductwork can get clogged or damp from all the dirt passing through it, resulting in the unpleasant odor from mildew and mold to circulate throughout the room. If this is what's causing the persistent odor in your restroom, even doing all the clever tricks to deodorize a bathroom won't be able to eliminate the musty and wet towel smell. Instead, you'll need a combination of replacing old parts and thorough cleaning to fix it.

To eliminate the persistent odor in your bathroom, you need to nip the problem in the bud. Inspect the exhaust fan and its connected parts that may trap moisture and deal with them accordingly. Aside from cleaning the fan itself, you should check on the bathroom's ductwork and replace sections that appear to be harboring microbes because of how badly worn out they are. It also helps if you can check for leaks under the sink, around the toilet base, and on the shower enclosure, and reseal joints when necessary. Additionally, get rid of bathroom items that can become a mold breeding ground, such as hard-to-clean toothbrush holders. By doing so, you are lowering the chances of your exhaust fan trapping moisture and dirt. 

When cleaning the exhaust fan and the ductwork, use vinegar, baking soda, or bleach to wipe them clean and remove mold. Meanwhile, you can use regular household cleaners to tackle mildew. Thoroughly scrub the areas with visible dirt and moisture stains, and then dry them once you are done rinsing. To ensure that the musty smells don't ever come back, we suggest running a dehumidifier in your bathroom from time to time, just to keep humidity levels in check and prevent moisture from building up in places that are hard to reach.