On a daily basis, it’s hard to get easier than the small blue cubes that we place in a corner of the toilet and release a fresh smell when we flush while keeping the toilet clean for longer. However, even though this solution is practical, it still involves chemicals and toxins (bleach, hydrochloric acid, etc.). And so, when we don’t want these poisons in our home, it is best to find alternatives. We already use natural cleaning products to scrub them: baking soda or sodium, washing soda… And in addition to these multi-purpose household products, we can use this recipe for eco-friendly cubes with very deodorizing power that work wonders! Hygiene in your natural toilets will reach a higher level. Bad smells in your pipes better watch out with these toilet blocks.
Good to know: Many odorant recipes can be made for toilets.
Ingredients of deodorizing blocks for toilets:
-100 ml of water
-100 ml of white vinegar
-2 grams of agar-agar
-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another for freshness: peppermint, lavender…)
-A plastic toilet block holder (you can recycle the one you have or find one cheap online)
-Optional: food coloring (for color); organic liquid soap (such as black soap or dish soap for bubbles)
The recipe for deodorizing blocks:
1) First, boil the water and add the agar-agar. Mix carefully.
2) Then add your vinegar and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Once done, add the essential oils and stir well.
3) Put in a mold and let it solidify overnight. For the mold, you can opt for an ice cube tray, small silicone molds, or a larger mold from which you will cut the right size slices.
4) Take a piece to place in the holder, then on your toilet.
5) Keep the extra cubes in a box in the refrigerator, clearly indicating what it is with a label or handwritten note.
Once hardened, your deodorizing blocks for toilets made of non-polluting and environmentally friendly natural products are ready to join your toilets!
In addition to the blocks, how can you prevent the formation of bad odors in the toilets and deodorize them naturally?
By adopting a few natural methods and maintaining regular hygiene, you can effectively prevent and eliminate bad odors in the toilets without using aggressive chemicals. Here are some effective tips and methods.
Preventing bad odors
Ventilation is essential to start with. Ensure good ventilation of the small corners by opening windows or using an extractor fan (VMC) to avoid the accumulation of moisture and bad odors. Also, make sure to fix leaks as a water leak will promote the smell of maceration and mold.
Furthermore, clean the toilets regularly, including the bowl, walls, floor, and surrounding surfaces, to avoid the accumulation of bacteria and mold. Also, remember to clean and disinfect the brush and its holder regularly to avoid persistent odors. For cleaning all these nooks and crannies, use white vinegar which helps deodorize, clean, remove stains, and descale. You can also add your vinegar to the toilet water tank. This helps prevent limescale deposits and maintain a fresh smell. A tube of mint toothpaste pierced into the tank can also work.
Additionally, pour a tablespoon of baking soda or lemon juice into the bowl regularly. This helps neutralize odors and prevent tartar deposits in the corner.
Natural deodorizing tips
You can use an essential oil diffuser with scents like lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, or peppermint to naturally deodorize the room. You can also simply soak cotton balls with a few drops of essential oils and place them behind the toilet bowl or in a discreet corner. Otherwise, mix baking soda with a few drops of essential oils. Place this mixture in an open small container or a fabric bag and place it in a corner of the toilet to absorb odors. And of course, you can also make your own homemade deodorant spray (recipe here).
Another tip: place a small bag of activated charcoal in a corner of the toilet. It is excellent for naturally absorbing odors. It is also possible to keep a box of matches in the toilets to light one after using the toilet. This will eliminate unpleasant odors, even very foul ones. Finally, some plants are known to purify the air (like ivy or fern) and can help maintain good air quality in the latrines.
