Why Does My Bathroom Smell Like Urine? (Possible Causes and Fixes)

Tiffany Nichols
by Tiffany Nichols

The rest of your house smells perfectly fine. Yet, you can’t get your bathroom to stop smelling like pee. You’ve washed and scrubbed every surface, so what’s the deal? Why does your bathroom still reek of urine?

Usually, a bathroom won’t smell like urine after you clean it. But if it does, the problem may be a broken or leaking toilet seal. Check that you installed your commode correctly. Then, replace any malfunctioning parts as soon as you can. Remember, leaks may not be the only issue.

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4 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Like Urine

The smell of urine is strong, unpleasant, and difficult to remove. However, getting rid of an odor is much easier if you know where it’s coming from. Cutting off the source is always the first step in prevention. So, these are the four most common causes to consider:

#1. There’s a Leak in Your Toilet

Leaky toilets can get more than water everywhere. As urine gets flushed down the pipes, small amounts of it can escape through holes or cracks. Over time, those droplets of pee can build up on the sides of your commode. And even if you can’t see it, you can almost always catch a whiff.

TIP: Some water damage can also be caused by splashing when you flush.

#2. The Toilet Is Dirty

Toilets get dirty quickly. Considering what happens to them, it’s no wonder they can start to stink. Meanwhile, microscopic molecules of urine can gather in the joints and curves. So, after a while, they produce a foul odor. Clean your toilet thoroughly to see (and smell) a big difference.

TIP: Use bacteria-killing cleaning products to help remove the smell of ammonia in your bathroom.

#3. Urine Has Seeped Into Your Floors

Your flooring, beams, and joists could get ruined if you don’t catch leaks in time. Not only will the water saturate your floors, but the microscopic urine molecules will as well. And if enough seeps into the wood, your bathroom could end up smelling like pee until you replace it.

TIP: Look for soft spots on the floor to determine whether there has been a significant water leak in that room.

#4. You Haven’t Neutralized the Odor

Cleaning your toilet and floors may not be enough. That’s because urine has a pungent scent that’s hard to remove. Many times, you must use an odor-neutralizing product to get the smell out for good. And often, you have to clean the space more than once to enjoy long-term results.

TIP: Reclean the towels and curtains in your bathroom to remove any latent urine particles embedded in the fabric.

Don’t forget to mop the nooks and crannies carefully. Tiny cracks are where most of the bacteria land. So, double down on the antibacterial cleaning products. And if all else fails, call in the professionals.

Why Does My Bathroom Stink Even After I Clean It?

Cleaning your bathroom can help eliminate the smell of pee. But sometimes, that’s not enough. In many cases, the origins of urine odors are mysterious. However, there’s a simple explanation, and it may not be what you were expecting.

Did you know that live bacteria can move freely through your pipes? Stinky bacteria can also travel from the sewer straight to your open commode. Then, the bacteria will start colonizing in, on, and around your porcelain throne.

When that happens, they can leave a foul stench behind. Plus, that stench can linger even after you clean up the surface. So, if that sounds familiar to you, maybe think about hiring a licensed plumber to fix the issue.

Keep in mind that you can also approach the entity responsible for the sewer. Ask if there are any problems with the plumbing connections to your house. Communicate your troubles to see if there’s anything else they can do to help remove the odor from your bathroom.

NOTE: You could also smell urine because of a pest or pet leaving it behind.

How Do I Stop My Bathroom From Smelling Like Pee?

It’s not always easy to stop a bathroom from smelling like urine. There are several steps to take, and not all of them will work. Moreover, hiring professional cleaners and plumbers can get expensive. So, what gives?

You can usually prevent the stench by monitoring a few key areas. For instance, check for urine stains behind the toilet, around the bowl, and near the pipes. If you find anything suspicious, clean it up. Then, cover these five bases as well:

  • Keep Things Clean At All Times – Spend at least 10 minutes per day tidying up the bathroom you use most.
  • Use Odor-Neutralizing Products – Keep candles, wax burners, and potpourri handy to combat stubborn odors.
  • Remove All Pets and Pests – Disallow animals of all kinds in the space, even if they’re fully potty trained.
  • Replace the Flooring If Needed – Take out sopping floor pieces and install fresh ones to eliminate latent smells.
  • Check the Plumbing Connections – Make sure there aren’t any leaks or broken pipes causing problems.

Getting rid of foul urine smells may be difficult, but it’s worth the effort. And to make it easier, consider installing a ventilation fan. That’s because high-powered fans can help wick some of those odors out of the room while you’re gone.

What Neutralizes the Smell of Urine?

You can neutralize the smell of urine in your bathroom using everyday household products. For example, baking soda, dish detergent, and peroxide all work wonderfully. However, you have to combine and use them in a specific way for them to work.

Any combination of those three substances is powerful against nasty odors. But if you mix all three products, it helps eliminate stubborn stenches from even the hidden places in your room. So, here’s how to make an effective cleaning solution at home:

Step 1: Gather Your Gear

Find some gloves to protect your skin. Then locate your hydrogen peroxide, some baking soda, and an antibacterial dish liquid. It doesn’t matter what brand you use. As long as the products are high quality, your mixture should do the trick.

Step 2: Create Your Concoction

Next, mix the baking soda, peroxide, and dish detergent in a small bowl. You’ll need about 8 ounces total for a small bathroom. Don’t forget to grab a sponge or cleaning cloth to shine hard-to-reach places.

Step 3: Dry and Do It Again

If needed, neutralize your bathroom with these products more than once. However, always ventilate your bathroom to prevent toxic fumes adequately. After three or four rounds of cleaning, your space should be smelling fresh as new. So, if it’s not, you may have a bigger problem.

Related Questions

Is It Okay to Put Bleach in a Toilet?

In most cases, it’s a bad idea to use bleach when cleaning your toilets and sinks. That’s because bleach is highly corrosive. It can eat away at your toilet’s internal components, which may produce even more stains over time. Instead, clean with vinegar, baking soda, peroxide, and other softer household products.


Is It Okay to Put Vinegar in a Toilet?

Vinegar is highly recommended for removing stubborn toilet stains and odors. It’s an inexpensive solution that also helps break up hard calcium deposits in your tank. That’s why some plumbers suggest periodically pouring vinegar into your toilet. For the best results, use white or distilled vinegar. And stay away from varieties with color that could stain your stuff.


How Much Vinegar Should I Put in My Toilet to Clean It?

The amount of vinegar you need to remove foul urine smells depends on several factors. However, most people use about three cups to clean their toilets, floors, sinks, and fixtures adequately. Meanwhile, always let the vinegar sit for around 30 minutes before wiping it off with a wet cloth.


What Is the Black Stuff Under My Toilet Rim?

Hard water can make black rings appear on the rim of your toilet. That means stains aren’t always from urine. The various minerals in your water supply can show up as black, brown, gray, or even green rings. However, even mineral deposits can contribute to a smelly bathroom. So, wash them off as soon as you can.

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Enjoy a Bathroom That Smells as Fresh as You

Dealing with unstoppable urine odors can be frustrating. You end up trying everything to get the smell to go away. From wiping surfaces to scrubbing toilets, there’s nothing you won’t do to get rid of the stench. But what happens when nothing works?

If you’re stuck in a stinky situation, the problem could go much deeper than you expected. And odors aren’t always caused by messy household members, naughty pets, or leaky pipes. Sometimes, the issue is a logistical one. Other times, you may have to replace the floor.

Don’t get frustrated yet. Your bathroom doesn’t have to smell like urine forever. There is a solution, even if it’s not a quick fix.

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Tiffany Nichols
Tiffany Nichols

Tiffany Nichols specializes in aesthetics, design, marketing, and manufacturing. She's a copywriter and editor for several home renovation companies in the U.S. and works alongside some of the biggest names in the industry. Her hobbies include architecture, art, mental health, and fashion.

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