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Smelly toilet

(35 Posts)
Supernana1 Sun 20-Jul-25 01:55:40

I know there is a previous thread on this subject, but I can't find it.

All around my downstairs loo stinks of urine. The floor is hard tiled and I've scrubbed it, even did a particularly hard scrubbing job on the grout, but nothing works. I've tried squirting bleach around the base of the toilet, hoping it would go between the base and the floor, but even that didn't help.

There are no leaks from the pipes leading from the toilet, so what can I do to get rid of the stale urine smell?

Please help somebody - I'm desperate!

Thanks.

Maggie37 Thu 24-Jul-25 22:42:48

Drop a ping pong ball into the toilet pan and the men will use it to aim at. It always floats.

Bazza Thu 24-Jul-25 17:18:54

I still don’t understand why men can’t sit down to pee unless it’s at a urinal. I did try pouring a thin stream of water into a toilet at about the right height (!) and it’s almost impossible to do so without splashes to some degree, and that’s being careful. So definitely with you Geordiegirl, just from a hygiene point of view. I wonder how many men are responsible for toilet cleaning duties?!

MayBee70 Thu 24-Jul-25 16:53:27

That’s good to hear. My partner got the one I’m using with a Vax carpet cleaner that he bought and had never used it*. My big worry is turning it on and pointing it towards me instead of away. I tend to hum the Ghostbusters music when I use it.
*he’s not getting it back wink

Supernana1 Thu 24-Jul-25 16:28:10

I've used the steamer and the smell is almost completely gone. I'll give it another go one of these days.

And as for telling my H to sit down using the loo - I can just imagine the look on his face if I suggested that. He's very set in his ways. Men!

Thanks for all your suggestions - I think steaming regularly is definitely the way to go in future. I knew the steamer would eventually come in handy for something!! I've had it for years, unused.

Geordiegirl1 Tue 22-Jul-25 22:57:39

It’s time men sat down to pee! Home lavatories are not urinals.

icanhandthemback Tue 22-Jul-25 12:34:57

You haven't used Valspar paint in the bathroom, have you? I had the same problem and it was purely by chance I read that earlier compositions of this brand could smell like urine.

NotSpaghetti Mon 21-Jul-25 21:14:14

(Or rather the urine?)

NotSpaghetti Mon 21-Jul-25 21:13:59

Are your tiles porcelain or maybe stone?
Could they have absorbed the smell?

crazyH Mon 21-Jul-25 21:00:42

I keep the top window open all the time

Musicgirl Mon 21-Jul-25 20:48:28

I had this problem in my downstairs toilet last year for the same reason - DH plus, I think, male visitors not being as careful with their aim as they should be. My solution was to buy a couple of old-fashioned pedestal mats. I can interchange them on a weekly basis (sooner if necessary). It means that the mats soak up any splashes and can be washed in the washing machine regularly and the room smells much fresher.

Bazza Mon 21-Jul-25 20:13:58

It will for ever be a mystery to me why all men can’t sit down to pee. That’s how we start to potty train a little boy, why do they then have to stand up, just because they can? Or are they just too lazy to pull their trousers down like all women have to do. At least there would be no smelly splashes all over the place. I have to admit I haven’t managed to convince my husband, although he will sit down for a pee in the night.

NannieChicken Mon 21-Jul-25 19:18:28

White vinegar is very good for removing bad smells. A liberal amount squirted on the floor and allowed to soak for a while is good.

Goodcook Mon 21-Jul-25 18:08:52

Yes I agree with the. Good advice

Janiepops Mon 21-Jul-25 18:05:34

I would try washing the nearby wall with bi-carb (alkaline) with a squirt of fairy washing up liquid, then repaint that wall.. I was astounded how far the splashes travel!

arum Mon 21-Jul-25 17:16:30

Time2

I vote that we all get our men to sit down when they wee, either that, or THEY do the cleaning! Anyone with me?

Agreed. When we married, I gave DH the choice: Stand and pee and clean the floor and tiles himself, or sit and pee and I do the cleaning. Ever since then, he has been sitting when he pees. And our sons-in-law do the same.

Marydoll Mon 21-Jul-25 16:32:34

When I was teaching, the boys' loos smelled so awful, it permeated the corridors. Urine had leaked under the floor, caused by wee boys, with a poor aim!

Unfortunately, the only solution was to rip up the floors.

Autumnrose Mon 21-Jul-25 16:21:35

I agree that standing to wee is only for urinals (or behind a bush!) I’ve been married twice and both DHs sat to wee when using a WC!

Patsy70 Mon 21-Jul-25 15:28:50

Supernana1

Thanks - I'll try steaming it. My OH hasn't got very good aim and I think that's what caused the problem.

I'll come back when it's done to let you know how I got on.

Thank you.

My OH is the same! 🙄 A floor steamer is the answer.

Time2 Mon 21-Jul-25 15:24:30

I vote that we all get our men to sit down when they wee, either that, or THEY do the cleaning! Anyone with me?

cc Mon 21-Jul-25 15:18:35

Both our toilets are off the floor models so I know that the floor is clean and there are no obvious leaks, but one is them is still niffy. In our case I think that, because the incoming water is always slightly warm, bacteria can grow. I've found that if I clean very thoroughly under the rim around the water inlet holes this usually gets rid of the smell. I agree though that toilet seats are often not very good quality even if they are from a good brand, and do discolour easily.
Incidentally the niffy one is that usually used by the men in our family, I agree that they are often pretty careless and splashy when they are standing using the toilet.

lizzypopbottle Mon 21-Jul-25 15:15:21

Suggest that your husband sits down to pee?

aggie Mon 21-Jul-25 14:15:15

The whole outside of the toilet bowl and the underside of the seat need scrubbed
When we had workmen in I had to do that as well as the floor and the walls near the toilet
I couldn’t believe how far wee had spread !n

LaTroisette Mon 21-Jul-25 14:11:33

Was going to suggest this too. It really does work

Cateq Mon 21-Jul-25 14:04:54

I use shaving foam around the toilet bowl I spray it onto the floor leave it for 30 mins then wipe the residual left on the floor with a squeegee and finish with a quick wash using my flash mop leave the room to air and any odours has gone

Quizzer Mon 21-Jul-25 13:58:58

I had the same problem. Eventually discovered that there was a tiny leak in the joint between the U-bend and the drain. Never enough to drip onto the floor, but enough to smell. Solved in a few minutes by a friendly plumber.