Why Your Plunger Smells (and How to Fix It)
The plunger and its caddy give off a foul smell because the plunger went back into storage still carrying toilet water and never got sanitized. Disinfect it after use, let it dry, and clean the caddy, and the smell goes.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why the plunger smells
A plunger holds dirty water in its rubber cup and drips into the caddy when stored wet. Left unsanitized in a closed holder, bacteria multiply and the smell spreads near the toilet.
The caddy collects the runoff and sits damp, which keeps it going. Cleaning and drying both is what clears it.
How to clean it, step by step
- Rinse and disinfect after use. Swish the plunger in the flushing toilet, then spray or soak the rubber cup with a disinfectant or diluted bleach and let it sit a few minutes.
- Let it dry. Prop it to drip-dry over the toilet or in a bucket before it goes back in the caddy.
- Clean the caddy. Dump any water, wash the holder with hot soapy water and disinfectant, and dry it.
- Add disinfectant to the base. A splash of diluted bleach or pine cleaner in the bottom of the caddy between uses keeps bacteria down.
- Replace a worn plunger. Swap it if the rubber is cracked or it stays smelly after cleaning.
Letting it dry before storing is the key. A plunger put away dripping wet is what fills the caddy with dirty water, so drying it prevents most of the smell.
Keep it from coming back
Always rinse and disinfect the plunger after use, and let it dry before returning it to the caddy.
Keep the caddy dry and clean it regularly, not just the plunger.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the dirty plunger handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your bathroom, Out of Office fits well. It is light and tropical, with spearmint, pineapple, and coconut, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my plunger holder smell?
Dirty water drips off the plunger and pools in the caddy, growing bacteria. Disinfect the plunger, let it dry, and wash the holder.
How do I sanitize a plunger?
Swish it in the flush, then spray or soak the cup with disinfectant or diluted bleach for a few minutes and let it dry.
How often should I replace a plunger?
When the rubber cracks or it stays smelly after cleaning, which is usually every year or two.
Should I put anything in the caddy?
A little diluted bleach or disinfectant in the base helps between uses, as long as you still empty and wash it regularly.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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