How to Make Your Bathroom Smell Like a Spa

This post is about how to make your bathroom smell like a spa.

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa

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After a long day, there’s nothing quite like stepping into a bathroom that transports you to a spa-like sanctuary. Creating a spa-like ambiance in your bathroom involves more than aesthetics; it’s about appealing to the senses. Here’s how you can make your bathroom smell like a spa, turning it into a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation while ensuring a mold-free and toxin-free environment.

As someone who had to gut their home because of VERY VERY VERY hidden toxic mold and also someone who had a very sick son from the mold and other toxins in his body I can tell you that when creating a spa scented bathroom you can not sacrifice the health of your bathroom nor your own health. Here’s how to make your bathroom smell like a spa: the non-toxic way.

Clean: How to Make Your Bathroom Smell Like a Spa

This sounds so basic but I’m telling you, it makes a HUGE difference. Here’s what I suggest as the cleaning protocol for a bathroom that sparkles and smells clean:

  1. Remove and wash all dirty laundry, towels, shower curtains, and rugs.
  2. Vacuum the entire space with a hepa vacuum– don’t forget about the window sills, over the door frame, in the closet, and in the bathroom vanity. You wouldn’t believe how much dust build-up can create a less-than-pleasant smell.
  3. Wipe down the entire space with microfiber cloths and something like Branch Basics. You don’t need bleach. Bleach is AWFUL for mold, bad for your health, and just not needed. Branch Basics has replaced my need for any harsh chemicals and even natural things like vinegar. If you have stains you want to remove you can use baking soda, peroxide, or a pumice stone.
  4. “Mop” the walls and ceiling with a microfiber cloth barely sprayed with branch basics (or a mix of dish soap and water” (I use a swiffer mop stick and just wrap a microfiber cloth on the bottom). You don’t want walls wet, just enough to cut the grease. The three things I’ve realized contribute to smell in a home are: mold, dirty clothes, and smell trapped on surfaces because people shed skin cells which have lipids (fats) which then bind with smells, dust, mold and then stick or kind of melt to surfaces. When you use a mild surfactant like Branch Basics or a non toxic dish soap and water then you can cut through that grease layer and remove the invisible gunk layer that is trapping smell on surfaces.
  5. Go over everything with a dry microfiber cloth. My favorite microfiber cloths are Smart Rags. I’m obsessed and they are so inexpensive.
  6. Make sure the area around the toilet is clean…

Open Windows: How to Make Your Bathroom Smell Like a Spa

Turn off the HVAC for 20 minutes (or more depending on the temperature outside) and open the windows in the house. You want to turn the HVAC off because otherwise it could cause it to work to hard and create condensation. It is very important to circulate clean air in your bathroom.

Ceiling Vent

Every bathroom should have a working ceiling vent. We LOVE our Panasonic Whisper Sense Vents. This helps pump air outside. Make sure your vent covers are clean.

Consider a Small Air Purifier: How to Make Your Bathroom Smell Like a Spa

Air purifiers are miracle workers for keeping a room smelling fresh but they can often be bulky. This little plug air purifier is pretty awesome.

Be Careful of Mold & Toxins: How to Make Your Bathroom Smell Like a Spa

A lot of suggestions you will read on other blogs about how to make your bathroom smell like a spa are going to recommend ideas that will fill your bathroom with toxins or very easily lead to mold. For instance… plants… I LOVE plants but they grow mold SO easily and unless you are constantly checking the soil and leaves for mold then it’s a big gamble. Another thing to probably avoid is potpourri in bathrooms. The combination of the organic materials in the potpourri combined with the humidity of a bathroom that has a shower is risky. Any plugins are out as far as toxins go too.

Non Toxic Room Sprays: How to Make Your Bathroom Smell Like a Spa

Aura Cacia Relaxing Lavender Aromatherapy Room & Body Mist

Aura Cacia Relaxing Lavender Aromatherapy Room & Body Mist 4 Fl Oz

Grow Fragrance Air & Fabric Spray Set

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa

Rowe Casa Organics Room Spray

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa
  • Incredibly transparent and simple ingredients.
  • Example of ingredients: INGREDIENTS: DISTILLED WATER, 100% PURE THERAPEUTIC GRADE ESSENTIAL OILS: GRAPEFRUIT, ORANGE, LIME, LEMON.
  • Different Scents:
  • LEMON + ORANGE 
  • GRAPEFRUIT + LEMONGRASS 
  • PEPPERMINT + VANILLA
  • PINE + LEMON
  • ROSE + JASMINE 
  • ROSEMARY + LEMONGRASS 

Air Purifying Device

ATTITUDE Hypoallergenic Air Purifier with Activated Carbon Filter, Lavendar & Eucalyptus,

ATTITUDE Air Purifier, Activated Carbon Freshener, Odor Remover, Plant and Mineral-Based, Vegan, Lavender and Eucalyptus, 8 Ounces
  • Works by using activated charcoal to capture odors and then releases natural fragrance.
  • Non toxic
  • There isn’t a ton of clarity on what the resin that releases the fragrance and the fragrance is made of but this brand, Attitude has extremely high EWG ratings on their other products so I am trusting that this product falls in line with their standards.
  • Other scents:
  • Coriander and Olive
  • Green Apple and Basil
  • Passionfruit
  • Pink Grapefruit

Essential Oils Diffusers

Elena Glow Diffuser

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa
  • Black Handmade Ceramic
  • Lights Shine through beautifully
  • Provides 14 hours of aromatherapy per dose of essential oils
  • The ultra-fine mist produced by high frequency ultrasonic technology diffuses in a range upwards of 1,000 square feet.

Plug-In Diffuser

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa
  • Can be plugged into the wall to save space.
  • Waterless. Uses replaceable pads.
  • Spreads fragrance to spaces 200 sqft. and smaller.
  • Emits a soft white light: Great night light.

Terra Cotta Diffusers

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa
  • Terra cotta is known for its absorbent and porous properties.
  • Simply drop essential oils on the pendants and allow them to diffuse scent over time.

Lotus Passive Diffuser

  • No water needed: simply put a few drops of essential oil on the lotus diffuser.
  • 917 4.5 star reviews!

Stone Look Diffuser

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa
  • Gorgeous diffuser that looks like a vase or sculptural piece.
  • Covers approximately 322 sqft.

Eucalyptus Shower Bouquet

  • Hang a bundle of eucalyptus between your shower head and the wall (not as pictured) so water isn’t dripping on the bouquet.
  • The steam and warmth from the shower will cause the bouquet to release fragrance.
  • I theoretically love this idea BUT I have a few issues with it:
  • 1. The bouquet can easily mold so you have to check it often and make sure it doesn’t actually get wet.
  • 2. If sprayed with pesticides then this isn’t a non toxic option but it’s VERY hard to find organic eucalyptus.
  • 3. Many online sellers infuse with green glycerine that drips and stains.

Reed Diffusers

essential oil diffuser
  • Non Toxic Ingredients
  • If placed in bathroom with shower, check the reeds often for mold growth.

Non Toxic Candle

I am not a fan of candles. Of course, there’s the risk of a house fire (my grandparent’s house burned down because of a candle) but my big issue is the air pollution that a candle creates. Candles, even non toxic ones may make the room smell better for a while but they are actually decreasing the oxygen in the room, adding humidity, and also leaving behind soot or smoke or other VOCs. If you do want to burn a candle every now and then, I suggest ones made from beeswax and essential oils only.

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa
  • 100% Beeswax & Essential Oils

Bath Bombs & Shower Steamers

Rowe Casa Bath Bombs

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa
  • Set of 6 in different scents.
  • Ingredients are non toxic and clean.
  • Add to bath water for a therapeutic bath that also will make the bathroom smell like a spa because of the essential oils.

Shower Steamer


Non Toxic Scented Soap

Bronners Scented Natural Castille Soap

Dr. Bronner's - Pure-Castile Bar Soap (5 Ounce Variety Gift Pack) Almond, Unscented, Lavender, Peppermint, Citrus, Rose - Made with Organic Oils

Bath Teas

how to make your bathroom smell like a spa

Conclusion: How to Make Your Bathroom Smell Like a Spa

When making your bathroom smell like a spa the most important thing you can do is to keep your bathroom very clean and mold-free. Dehumidifying vents (the Panasonic Whisper Sense is the vent that was recommended to us by our environmental consultant Andy Pace) are a must. When you add in fragrance it’s important to consider whether or not that fragrance will be harmful both because it contains chemicals and also if it is releasing compounds into the air that will end up creating a coating on the walls and furniture that will over time actually trap bad smells.

You also need to consider if the product you are using will have a tendency to mold in a humid environment (like a bathroom that has a shower). Eucalyptus bouquets, diffusers that use water, and reed diffusers will be the most likely options to mold. If you choose one of these options, just check it very frequently and throw it out as soon as you see mold. If you use a diffuser that uses water, just make sure you are emptying out and wiping down the inside of the diffuser whenever you are not actively using it.

My personal top choices for how to make your bathroom smell like a spa (that are less likely to mold and that are non toxic) are:

  1. Room Sprays
  2. Passive Diffusers
  3. Plug-In Diffuser

This post was about how to make your bathroom smell like a spa.


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Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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