Scared to Light a Match

Dear Alisha,

I feel really bad even asking this question but... My husband and I only have one bathroom in our humble abode. Most bathroom tasks are no problem but after he's been in there for a while, it's really really bad. Repugnant is a good word for it. I've tried everything from sprays (they help a little), candles (these don't help at all), and I've even got potpourri on the back of the toilet (of course i make sure the fan is running)! But it normally makes the bathroom unbearable for the rest of the day! I've brought it up a few times and he always seems a little offended that I would even mention that.

What's a girl to do? Help! You've got plenty of boys at home so I am sure you'll have the perfect fix. What do you do to keep your bathrooms smelling fresh all day long?

Sincerely,

Scared to Light a Match


Dear Scared,

I thought about skipping your question. I do not want my blog to be known for discussing the lower things of life. But then last night I made black beans for dinner and followed it up by eating a hearty amount of sugar free chocolate, or as Justin called it, "the Perfect Storm". As I sat there, listening to the poor man's version of the William Tell Overture, I thought of you. What would I do if this were our only bathroom? How would we face each other in the morning? So I have taken on your question and hopefully, together, we can find a solution.

One bathroom for all. That's rough. I've been trying think what I've previously done in a shared bathroom situation. The most obvious and common solution is to cover up the bad smell with a more pleasant smell, which you have already tried. Problem is, air fresheners conjure up the feeling of anything but freshness. "Garden Potpourri" becomes a flower garden that could only be growing at a waste treatment facility, and "apple blossom" is a bloom growing from a sulfur spring. This leads the problem of associated scents. Now when I smell "garden potpourri', even with out the accompanying foulness, my brain thinks it smells the stink too.

When I worked at a showroom, all the employees and customers shared the same bathroom. Our air freshener was a cinnamon spray. At first it wasn't too bad. It was a relief to not be over powered by cheap floral smells. Still, it smelt like something, something I couldn't put my finger on (literally). "A beef bakery!!", I proclaimed one day. Yes our bathroom smells exactly how you would expect a beef bakery to smell. I was glad I finally nailed the scent but my disgusted co-workers said I ruined the effectiveness of the spray for them.

Concerned about this very problem when we were first married and shared a bathroom, Justin came home excited one day. He had found a secret solution while "visiting" an office. In their restroom they used cedar oil spray as a fresher. He was practically giddy telling me how it smelt good and didn't mingle with foul smells in the wrong way but was still a strong enough scent. He had written down the label information off the bottle and ordered some for us. It was nice. It was just essential cedar oil, mixed with a little water, put in a spritz bottle.

Have you tried any of the odorless air fresheners? Like KO Odor Eliminator?

If it makes you feel better, my boys bathroom does not always smell good. Generally speaking, I keep our bathrooms good smelling just by keeping them clean and then running the fan when needed. Maybe you could use a better bathroom fan?

I am out of ideas. What else can you do to remove smelly air? Let's take it to our Readers.

Readers? Do you have any suggestions for dear Scared to Light a Match and her gass-ly problem? Has anything worked for you?

(do not say Glade Air fresheners. I HATE Glade air "fresheners".)