How to Make Your INHOUSE Not Smell Like an OUTHOUSE

Prior to getting married I swore I would NEVER be one of those people who ever has a bathroom that smells like and outhouse. Then I had 3 boys, and a 4th grown one. Dear Lord how many times must I remind them to pee IN the TOLIET for mastery of this simple art? Despite my begging, pleading, threatening and crying. 

I now have become an expert at cleaning, masking and annihilating urine coated surfaces.  So I am here to share all the wisdom I have to help you deal with the aftermath of boy overshoot.  On the topic of how to get them to stop…I GOTS NUTHIN. SO here goes it…

VINEGAR: PROS: CHEAP, Effective at neutralizing urine odors, CONS: Will make you pass out from the smell (which does dissipate overtime) RECIPE: ADD 1/4Cup Vinegar to a spray bottle and dilute with water, add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. LEMONGRASS is my favorite for commode cleaning.

BAKING SODA: PROS: CHEAP, CONS: MESSY, Not effective if used solo, best to mix with vinegar. RECIPE: make a paste of baking soda and vinegar, add 3-4 drops of lemon essential oil. Apply to toilet and let sit, wipe off. This is great for an initial clean up of neglected surfaces. Follow with an enzyme cleaner.

UPDATE:

DOG URINE ENZYME CLEANERS: Examples such as OUT(Walmart,Target), or Natures Miracle (found at pet stores) are great good smelling alternatives. OUT has a pleasant fresh scent, spray liberally under seat, sides, bottom, and floor. Let stand for 10 min before wiping up. PROS: Found at most major retailers, reasonably priced. Fails to have ongoing urine neutralization after initial cleanup.

Previously I listed Natures Miracle products such as Advanced and Stain & Odor Remover. These formulations were meant for use on DOG urine, however on accident I ordered the formulation meant for CATS, and my LIFE GOT MADE!  I did an initial (not so) highly scientific test. I sprayed this miracle solution on my boys commode WITHOUT wiping it up, came back 1 hour later and it completely NEUTRALIZED the pee smell. It has a very fresh scent, and it had staying power. Even with boy overshoot the NEXT DAY, it’s residue still managed to neutralize the urine. ITS AWESOME and my new GO TO for toilet cleaning.  The best price I found without having to have it on autoship was here on Amazon. 

PROS: Very effective at smell neutralization, Long lasting effectiveness CONS: Pricey Similar application spray on, let soak, clean up. BE ADVISED most enzyme cleaners may enhance urine smell INITIALLY, as they dry the smell will be neutralized. (this one however DOES NOT!)

CLOROX URINE REMOVER: This is fairly new to the market. PROS: found at grocery stores and major retailers, moderately priced, formulated for HUMANS, good on hard surfaces. CONS: Doesn’t have added scent that denotes “clean or fresh” as other enzyme cleaners have. This stuff works works marginally at neutralizing pee smells, but I do however follow up with other products or essential oils to sanitize, and/or have the “clean” smell I desire. Similar to other enzyme cleaners the urine smell may enhance when initially applied, and this enzyme cleaner does not have long-lasting effects. (update: I have grown to dislike the musky smell this product has and have discontinued using)

CLOROX TOLIET BOWL CLEANER-Clinging Bleach GEL

PROS: (This is my 2nd GO TO) Reasonably priced, found at all major retailers and grocers. Does and effective job and cleaning urine and neutralizing smell. Great sanitizer. Doesn’t splash like bleach when cleaning, clings to commode walls when applying.  CONS: Strong bleach smell, does seem to stain grout lines after long term use. 

BLEACH PROS: cheap, readily available, great sanitizer CONS: Marginally effective at longer term pee smell neutralization. Not easy to control splash which ultimately causes bleach spots to affected materials. 

Always remember to spray and wipe all surfaces no matter what you choose. Wipe toilet hinges, the underside of the toilet, around the base.  Wipe under, around, behind toilet, walls and baseboards.  Avoid fruity, or strong smelling products that don’t neutralize such as FABULOSO, they MASK not neutralized and will eventually create a bigger issue.