Let me share a small but effective tip: simply "drop a matchstick into the toilet bowl," and the air in the bathroom will be fresh and clear again.

The unpleasant smell in the bathroom can be extremely bothersome, significantly affecting daily life, especially for families with young children. Prolonged exposure to bathroom odors can negatively impact both the sense of smell and mental health. Here’s a small but powerful tip: just "drop a matchstick into the toilet bowl," and the air in the bathroom will be fresh and clear again.

Dropping a matchstick into the toilet bowl helps eliminate odors effectively

It may sound strange, but burning a matchstick and then dropping it into the toilet is said to be a very effective method of neutralizing odors.

Specifically, after using the bathroom and flushing, you can light a matchstick to help eliminate the smell. This is because burning the matchstick produces sulfur dioxide, which helps neutralize methyl mercaptan odors created during bathroom use. Especially in closed and poorly ventilated toilets, this method can instantly eliminate bad smells. However, you must be careful not to let the matchstick burn halfway down into the drain, as methane gas may be present in the pipes, which could be flammable and cause a fire if the concentration is high.

Other effective methods to clean and neutralize toilet odors

• Using Salt, Lemon, Baking Soda
  Mix salt, lemon, baking soda, and a bit of water, and pour this mixture directly into the toilet bowl. Wait 5-10 minutes, scrub the toilet, and flush. Salt has antibacterial properties, while baking soda helps remove stains around the toilet. Lemon has a natural fragrance that helps neutralize odors. If you don't have baking soda, just using salt and lemon can still provide good results.

• Using Vinegar
  You can pour vinegar directly into the toilet and let it sit for about 30 minutes before flushing. The acid in vinegar helps soften stains and disinfect the toilet. This method is simple, quick, and quite effective.

• Using Menthol Oil
  Another method is using menthol oil. In addition to being used for massages and relieving joint pain, menthol oil can also be used to eliminate odors effectively. Simply place an open bottle of menthol oil in the corner of the bathroom, and unpleasant smells will vanish.

• Using Soap Bars
  Alternatively, you can put a bar of soap into an old sock, tie it securely, and place it inside the toilet lid. The soap will slowly dissolve and mix into the flushing water. When you flush, the water will clean the toilet and leave a long-lasting fragrance.

  By doing this, your toilet will stay clean and fresh, and you won't have to scrub it frequently, saving time while ensuring a lasting scent.

• Using a Bottle with Toilet Cleaner Solution
  To do this, prepare a plastic bottle, filling 2/3 of the bottle with regular water and a little toilet cleaner solution. Punch two small holes in the bottle and place it inside the toilet tank. When you flush, the water pressure will cause the cleaning solution to be released, keeping your toilet smelling fresh for a long time without needing regular cleaning.

• Using Ice Cubes
  In fact, adding ice cubes to the toilet will dilute ammonia and let it flow down with the melting ice water. The steam will condense instead of evaporating, which helps reduce odors.

  Additionally, ice cubes help prevent bacteria from growing, which reduces the factors that cause bad smells. The cold temperature from the ice also slows down chemical reactions, making it harder for dirt to stick to the toilet. When you flush, the ice cubes will also help increase water pressure, improving the flushing performance.

• Planting Green Plants
  You can also combine odor removal by planting green plants. Plants help improve air quality in the toilet and are effective at removing mold and bacteria. Choose plants that don’t need much sunlight and have a pleasant fragrance.

• Using Strong Alcohol
  Using strong alcohol to neutralize toilet odors is a popular and effective method. Pour a glass of strong alcohol and place it on the surface of the water tank; the smell of alcohol will eliminate the bad odor. Then pour the alcohol into the toilet, close the lid, and wait for 10 minutes before flushing.