Think Twice Before Using This Laundry Scent Bead Trick In Your Bathroom

Bathrooms are pretty much the most infamous smell zones of the entire house. In fact, a survey found that around 65% of air freshener users deploy them in their bathrooms more than any other space in their homes in an attempt to make the space smell a little more pretty and a little less like poo.

Unfortunately, there's a darker side to these seemingly innocent sprays. Traditional air fresheners contribute to indoor air pollution and are a cocktail of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful substances like benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene. Studies have even shown that these chemicals can wreak havoc on your health, with significant levels detected when multiple scented products are used simultaneously. Over 20% of Americans have reported adverse reactions to air fresheners.

With that in mind, it makes sense why people are trying out alternative methods for keeping their bathrooms smelling fresh, including using laundry scent beads. These beads, by design, infuse clothes with a long-lasting fragrance, which might make them seem like a logical choice for giving your bathroom a pleasant scent. And, while dropping a handful of these beads into a decorative jar might seem like a clever way to make your bathroom smell like a bed of roses, there are a few factors — including cost and chemicals — that will make you rethink using laundry scent booster beads in your bathroom.

The idea behind using laundry scent beads in the bathroom is simple: Place them in a vase, and voilà, your bathroom should smell like fresh laundry or roses or whatever else it is you've chosen. However, this trick is not nearly as magical as it sounds. First and foremost, laundry scent beads aren't intended for use outside the washing machine. The chemicals in these beads are specifically designed to break down dirt and grime on clothes, not eliminate odors in the air. This means that they may not be as effective at neutralizing bathroom odors compared to traditional air fresheners.

Furthermore, these beads are intended to be used in water, so they dry out pretty fast in open air — you'll be shelling out money to replace them often. And let's be honest, those beads aren't cheap. On top of that, they're composed of a cocktail of chemicals, which could trigger reactions just by floating around in the air, affecting both you and any unsuspecting visitors. And, if you've got kiddos running around, you'll want to double-think this plan. Those colorful beads might look like candy to little eyes, posing a safety risk if they decide to take a taste. Essentially, laundry scent beads may not be the sweet-smelling solution you hoped for.

Fortunately, keeping your bathroom smelling fresh as can be doesn't require the use of potentially harmful chemicals. The first and most obvious thing to do is try to keep your bathroom clean — mold, mildew, and bacteria can create bad scents, so wipe down the space and use a bit of bleach to help kill off bacteria where you can. If you find your bathroom still a bit stinky, try some activated charcoal bags for odor absorption. Simply place them behind your toilet or trash can, and they'll work their magic without any synthetic fragrances.

Another easy trick is to put a few drops of natural essential oils on cotton balls and place them in discreet areas of your bathroom, like inside the trash can or tucked into the toilet roll holder. Essential oils come in a variety of scents, so you can choose the ones that best suit your preference and mood.

Finally, consider adding cinnamon sticks as a way to make your home and bathroom smell better than ever.  Place them in your toilet roll holder or arrange them artfully in a small dish on the countertop (yes, a bit like Gramma's old potpourri) to let them slowly release their scent and add just a touch of sweet, fall-scented spice to the air. Not only are these sticks non-toxic and easily tossed, but you won't have to spend a bundle on them either!