Works For Me: What's That Smell?

Now, how shall we discuss this delicately?  We can't.  I'm just forging ahead.

If you are the mother of a boy between the ages of 2 and 12, then you know that the wall behind your kids' toilet smells like a fraternity house.  Evidentally "aim" is one of the last developmental skills little boys master.

Having three boys in our household means that our bathrooms sometimes smell downright nuclear, so I've come up with a solution.  It's not as effective as coating the whole room with CONCRETE (which I've threatened to do many times), but still, it's better than nothing.

Once every day or two, spray down that wall behind the toilet with Febreeze or some other brand of fabric freshener.  It actually seems to help neutralize the odors better than cleaning alone.

If you have a tip you'd like to share with Bloggityville, just leave your link below.  WFMW guidelines can be found here. 

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Comments

[Diatribal]

eeewwww! This makes me very glad that I have a daughter...and a separate bathroom for hubby!

Seriously, ick. I had never thought of this.

[Joyful Days]

There's just something about that smell that ummm....permeates. Yup. That's a good word for it. Permeates. Thanks for the tip.

Blessings.

[ellen b]

Oh boys boys boys...
I had a house cleaning business for a while and all I can say is put in groutless tile or something all the way up to the top of the tank!

[peach]

Great idea. I'll be movin' that Febreze to their vanity cupboard pronto! Let the spraying of a fine smell overpower the one currently residing there!!

[Overwhelmed With Joy!]

We use Febreeze a lot in our household too. I have two stinky boys...one big one and one little one. :)

Thanks for sharing!

[Rebecca Mielke]

Love the Febreeze idea!

We'd be alot further ahead if we could just get males of all ages to SIT DOWN when using the toilet in the house. It's not just aim that's the problem, it's also the stuff that hits the water and mists out from there. The taller the man, the worse it is.

Perhaps we can come up with a clever name for that special aromatic spray.

[The Natural Mommy]

Maybe I'll just teach my baby boy to pee sitting down...

[Kelley]

Thanks for the tip.

Sorry I'm a week late with the parenting advice, but it's worth the wait. Promise.

[Mommyfied]

Tks for the tip! I'm always lamenting over how toilet smells because of 4 year old's lack of aiming skills!

[Lorikate]

Hah!! I was just wandering through..and as the single mother of a 6 year old boy that lives with my brother....

I can say I understand. (Oh, and did I mention my fiancee spends most of his time with me too...)

I appreciate the tip!!!

[Michelle at Scribbit]

Perfect solution for problems with aim. SOrry to mess up the link the first time.

[Flutterby]

hmmm I would think that there's a product that would help with that possibly more than fabreeze even. There's a product (few different ones of course) which can be found at pet stores that are for the purpose of nuetulizing urine odor. We have a small dog and three cats that all like to use to floor more than too often (admittidly any amount ever...at all, would be too much for me) So we aught to just take out stock in one of these companys!

[boomama]

You have no idea how much I needed that tip. Today I sprayed perfume in the bathroom he uses. I have tried bleach, Clorox wipes, younameit. But the smell, it WILL NOT BE STOPPED.

I owe you.

[Mommy Zabs]

I'm so thankful you posted this! I just potty trained my oldest (3) and our bathroom totally smells like urine sometimes. I get those disinfectant wipes and go over the toilet, wall and floor, but I hadn't thought of Fabreeze!!

[Lynnae (From Under the Clutter)]

Thanks for the tip! Ever since my now 4 year old boy started using the toilet a couple of years ago, I have been looking for something that works for "that smell". I never would have thought of Febreze!

[margalit]

What works for ME with my son, the kid with no aim, is one of those cat urine neutralizers. I've used Natures Miracle, and that works well, but has it's own odor, and now I use a different one called Peeaway. I know, bad title, but it works. You can buy them in PetSmart or other pet stores. they work way better than febreeze.

[Tina]

will have to try that :) thanks!

[Heather L.]

I've spryaed it on our shower curtain before, but never the wall! Great idea! Thanks for sharing and hosting!

[Cindy]

Four daughters here, but you've just made me thankful for their bathroom finesse and skills. :)

[Kari]

I use OUT!
I also use it in our litterbox area as our cat's aim seems to be a bit askew as well.

Of course I clean it as well but using the OUT! in between and after cleanings helps greatly.
You can get it at just about any store that has a pet care aisle.
(When our cat peed on our mattress it was a life saver! Took a few treatments and about half a gallon of the gallon size bottle, but we finally were able to turn the mattress over without having the smell there any longer.)

[Joanna]

I grew up in a house full of girls, so I haven't personally experienced the problem yet... Good to know for the future, as my husband's family only has boys. It's inevitable- I'll one day deal with this!

[elizabeth]

Gack. My 10 year old rarely takes his laundry to the hamper without reminders, but he hits, flushes and closes every time. Never knew that was such a big deal... Whew, I feel like I've dodged a bullet.

[WhatWorksForMom]

My son is still in diapers - but I know (fear) its' coming!

[carrie]

Yikes! This is good to know--I will be prepared with Febreze when the time comes!

[Rachel]

I can't wait to try that trick. My twin boys' aim leaves a lot to be desired.

[Dana]

I have a 12-year old boy, so I know EXACTLY what you mean.

[dcrmom]

I'm going to do that right now. And are you telling me they actually outgrow it? I'm not holding my breath.

[Scratchin' the Surface]

I actually keep a bottle of this behind the potty - it's great for just spraying in the toilet now and then, or even on the shower curtain to keep the bathroom smeling fresher.

[Marian]

I am SO with you in this problem. We have six people in our house, including 3 little boys. We have one toilet. ONE.
Why, oh, why do they leave some parts of a toilet bowl unsealed and porous???? Do they think that it will not stream down under the rim and sit in insidious little pools under the tank?? These toilets were designed by women with no children, that's all I can fathom.
Last week I spent nearly an hour--an HOUR!!-- cleaning the toilet and its surroundings. Did you even know you could spend nearly an hour cleaning one toilet? If you try scrubbing every last nook and cranny with vinegar, then baking soda and vinegar, then hydrogen peroxide, then general bathroom cleaner and then bleach,well, you can. And, once I got my olfactory sense back, I realized... that it still smells. And this concludes my rant. Please commiserate.

[Barbara H.]

That's a great idea. My guys don't like the plug-in air fresheners.

[Kelley]

Great idea!

[Jill (CDPJ)]

I never thought about this side-effect of having all boys. Thanks for the pre-emptive tip :-)

[Kathy]

Great idea! I love Febreeze!

[mdessy]

I don't have boys but now I know what do to should my nephews ever invade!

[Katrina]

I SO appreciate this tip. Even with just one 8-year-old boy, there are times that I clean and clean and scrub and scrub and STILL, there is a lingering odor. I'll be starting this method this week! Thanks!

[Karen]

Oh BLESS YOU CHILD. I thought I was the only woman in the world that had a 5 year old boy with horrific aim. I'd swear it ends up on the ceiling if I didn't know any better. That smell just Won't. Go. Away. I'm implementing this TODAY. (and I just purchased a HUGE bottle of Febreze two days ago...so it's a "sign"...lol)

[Brandy of The Building Brows]

Simple Solution is another great alternative because it uses enzymes to actually neutralize and completely rid the odor. But you still want to wash the wall first to remove the urine no matter what you use.

Brandy of The Building Brows

[Joo]

Argh..I forgot to add my tip next to my name on Mr. Linky - (baby closet) - oops!

Great post - I used to work in restaurants, an ice cream parlor that attracted kids in particular and the boys bathroom....EEW!

[Catherine]

Great Tip! I just replaced my carpets, so I won't be going through Febreze nearly so fast. Anyone who sold stock in Febreze before I ripped up my old carpets probably did well.

[Tracy]

Ooh! That's a good one. I am the only girl in our house and their "aim" drives me crazy!

[MommaBlogger]

Febreeze, I never would have thought of that. Our wall is tiled, but as you said, it gets ugly back there.

[Holly]

I have two boys and can commiserate. I always keep Clorox wipes in the bathroom and wipe down the toilet and surrounding area daily! I love the Febreze idea. The Linen and Sky scent is my favorite, but I never would have thought to spray the wall!

[Shelly]

I love Febreeze!

[Toni]

Good tip! I have a little boy just about to start potty training. Tips from mom's who've been there are always welcome.

[Mama Pajama]

My little boy isn't even close to using the potty yet. But, I'm already a Febreze fan....I'll be sure and keep a supply ready for the future!

[Mama Pajama]

Sorry I had to do Mr. Linky twice....I forgot to put the subject of my post.

[Christy]

obviously a popular tip. I'll try it, I'll try anything. I hate that room. Sadly, it is the "guest" bathroom.

[Dianne]

Thank you, thank you!!! With enormous gratitude! I will be trying this immediately upon getting up from my computer! This has been making hubby & me crazy. It would be different if they had a separate, far away bathroom (sort of), but the boys' is the main facility for everyone who comes over to use. Sigh.

[Sherri]

What might also work is an Air Wick nightlight freshener that you plug into the bathroom outlet. As long as I keep them refilled I don't smell the stink. Sorry, new to the posting Works for Me, but we'll get it. Thanks!

[Liz C.]

Better than Febreeze: look for sprays used to deal with pet stains and vomit. We get a HUGE bottle at the pet store or ranch store. These are enzymatic cleaners, that actually eat the organic base of the odors. Very, very, very good thing. Behind the toilet, the floor base, and the shower/curtain gets a hearty spray on a regular basis, and weekly cleanup is a snap.

I'm currently pregnant again, and odors are NOT tolerated just now. :) The enzymatic pet stain cleaners are a life-saver at this point.

[Mary@notbefore7]

Just had my first boy...thanks for the tip!

[Steff (http://okierivermama.livejournal.com/)]

i use the odor eating lysol in citrus or lime scent it seems to work well for that issue. i dont think they ever completely outgrow it...i swear sometimes DH is just as bad as the toddlers
steff

[tasha]

I have a 4 month old boy so i have a lil ways to go,but i will remember this
thanks tasha

[Shalee]

Bless you, Shannon. Bless you and your smart self!

[Rhen]

I have one son and five daughters. Our goal is to give son a bathroom of his own. Poor girls!
LOL

[Amanda Regan]

If you tell your child that something will happen if they carry on misbehaving ie going home instead of to the park after grocery shopping then do it or they will learn you don't follow through & why should they do what you want when they will get what they want anyway.

[Karen@FamilyBriefs]

How hard can it be to aim such a little thing??? My word! I've taught my two boys to at least wipe the rim with t.p. if they drip any (they do sometimes :). I've been using an Oust "fan", but sometimes that makes the fragrance smell seem a bit overpowering (like enough to make you gag!). I like this idea better & think I'll use the handy Lysol spray I spray the Diaper Genie with! Thanks!

[a suburban housewife]

Great tip! I love Febreeze.

[Stephanie's Mommy Brain]

It often makes we wish there was just a hole in the floor and a water hose. It would be easier!

[Heather @ CuriousAboutGeorge]

Good tip! Is there anything Frebreeze can't do?

[Jodi]

ahhh I have 3 girls and know of this issue as my SIL has 4 boys...I'll pass along the tip. I posted mine last night...wanted to get over here nice and early...go figure...it's after 9 and i'm #135..oh well there is always next week. Take care..and buy febreeze in bulk...that stuff is great!!! Jodi

[Dawn]

Great tip. The thing that makes me the most angry is if I walk into the bathroom 10 minutes after it's been clean and it smells like pee already. Hopefully your tip will work. It definitely can't hurt.

[Miracle's Mom]

Thank you, thank you for the tip. I was beginning to think I would NEVER get that smell gone for good. I have been using bleach, everyday 3 to 4 times per day to keep the smell away. I did just what you said at 6am this morning and at 10:30pm I was able to walk in their bathroom without a mask! YEAH!!!!!

[The Estrogen Files]

Good tip. I can't seem to keep that smell away from the HUBBERS toilet some days. I'm gonna try it!

[Moose]

Thanks for the tip! I was just thinking the other day that whoever invented the idea of boys standing up at the toilet should have been tarred and feathered.

[:: Suzanne ::]

My thoughtful husband taught our son that, in a private home, it is polite to sit down to pee so that pee doesn't get all over the place. In a public place, with daily janitorial staff, it's different.

[Tiggerlily]

Thanks for the tip. I think even the grown-ups can sometimes have a problem with aiming... Will try this out later.