The Weekend Fix: 3 Home Hacks to Banish That Nasty Bathroom Smell for Good

By Laura SIMBA shower door seal

Is there anything worse than that musty, vaguely foul smell that seems to cling to your bathroom, no matter how much you scrub? It’s frustrating! We’re here to tell you that the problem often isn’t your cleaning routine—it’s a few sneaky maintenance failures that are simple to fix.

You don’t need a professional plumber or a costly remodel to get rid of that lingering scent. Here are three super easy, low-cost home hacks you can tackle this weekend to make your bathroom smell fresh again, permanently.

Hack #1: The Forgotten Drain Trap Cleanse

That foul odour often comes from trapped organic matter—hair, soap scum, and sludge—that’s decomposing inside your drain. Over time, that build-up creates a distinct, unpleasant smell that permeates the room.

The Fix (30 Minutes):

Skip the Chemicals: Harsh chemicals only mask the problem and can damage your pipes.

Go Natural: Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. Let it foam and sit for about 15-20 minutes.

Flush: Follow up with a kettle full of boiling water. The combination physically breaks down the gunk and neutralizes the odour without harsh fumes. This simple action often provides instant relief!

Hack #2: Inspect Your Grout and Caulking

Bathroom moisture is unavoidable, but if it gets behind your tiles or under the shower tray, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew—which is the main source of that musty, stale smell.

The Fix (1 Hour):

The Squeeze Test: Give your shower tiles and the base a light squeeze. If the caulking feels spongy or if water visibly seeps out, your seal is broken.

The Refresh: Carefully cut away the old, moldy caulk using a utility knife. Clean the area thoroughly with an anti-mould spray, let it dry completely, and apply a fresh bead of silicone caulk. This blocks moisture and instantly stops mildew growth.

Hack #3: The Hidden Culprit — Your Shower Door Seal

Even a brand-new-looking bathroom can harbour odours if the shower door isn’t sealing correctly. The bottom sweep—the flexible strip at the base of your shower door—is designed to deflect water back into the tray. When this strip wears down, water leaks out, seeps into the grout and floor, and creates a slow-growing, persistent patch of dampness and mould.

This is the most common, yet overlooked, source of that nasty smell!

The Fix (15 Minutes):

Fortunately, replacing the seal is one of the easiest home maintenance tasks you can do.

Check for Wear: Open your shower door and look closely at the plastic or vinyl strip at the bottom. Is it cracked, yellowed, or brittle? Does it allow water to drip past the frame?

Measure and Replace: Once you know it’s time for a change, the hardest part is simply measuring your door width and thickness.

Expert Tip: For a clean, modern aesthetic, make sure you choose a high-quality replacement. You can find durable solutions designed for a perfect, watertight barrier—check out your options for a frameless shower door bottom sweep to see a variety of sizes and materials that will fit your specific enclosure.

By tackling these three low-cost weekend fixes, you won’t just be masking the odour—you’ll be eliminating the root causes of moisture and mould. Enjoy your fresh, clean-smelling bathroom!

This article is provided by SIMBA, a UK-based retailer of shower door seals.