Which Natural Oils Keep a Busy Bathroom Fresh Over Christmas Without Synthetic Sprays?

When the house fills up at Christmas, the bathroom quietly becomes the busiest room in the home. There are queues on the landing, guests staying over and a door that never seems to stay shut for long.

Few of us want to reach for a heavy air freshener that leaves the whole floor smelling of synthetic flowers. So how can you keep your bathroom smelling fresh naturally? Edinburgh, as it happens, knows a thing or two about bad smells.

Why was Edinburgh called Auld Reekie?

Auld Reekie is Scots for Old Smoky, and the nickname has stuck to Edinburgh for centuries¹. By the seventeenth century, the Old Town was crammed inside its walls, and smoke from countless chimneys and coal fires hung over the city in a thick, choking smog¹.

The smoke was only half of it. The Nor' Loch, at the foot of the castle rock, took much of the city's waste, and its smell was famous in its own right¹.

Life in the Old Town tenements

With little room to spread out, the Old Town grew upwards, with tenements reaching as high as ten storeys⁵. There were no proper sanitation systems, so waste was thrown into the street and ran down the steep, narrow closes².

From the 1760s, the elegant New Town began to rise to the north, and wealthier families gradually moved out of the crowded Old Town². The nickname, though, never left, and today it is said with a good deal of affection.

It is the same city where Duncan Napier opened his herbal shop in 1860, and where we still blend our remedies today.

Why do bathrooms smell, even when they are clean?

A bathroom is usually the smallest, dampest room in the house. Steam from showers, damp towels and little airflow all trap smells, and a room can feel stale even straight after cleaning.

Drains, bins and bath mats can add to the problem without anyone quite noticing. In winter, with windows shut against the cold, there is even less fresh air to carry everything away.

Add a houseful of Christmas guests, wet coats on the radiator and steamy showers one after another, and the room can start to feel tired by the end of the day. The good news is that a few small changes make a big difference.

What everyday habits keep a bathroom fresh?

The most effective fixes are refreshingly low tech. Small habits, done regularly, do far more than any spray.

• Open the window or switch on the extractor fan after every shower or bath.
• Hang towels to dry fully, and wash towels and bath mats often.
• Empty the bathroom bin regularly, especially when the house is full.
• Run hot water down the plughole each week to keep drains moving.
• Close the toilet lid before flushing, and keep a spare loo roll and hand towel within reach for guests.

Once the basics are in place, a little natural scent is the finishing touch rather than a cover up. A room that is aired and clean only needs a gentle lift.

Which natural scents help a bathroom feel fresh?

Essential oils have long been used to bring a clean, uplifting scent into the home. Three of ours suit a bathroom in winter especially well.

Lemongrass, bright and clean

Lemongrass has a fresh, grassy citrus scent that many people associate with a freshly cleaned room. Our Lemongrass Essential Oil is a lively choice for a small space.

Sweet orange, warm and welcoming

Sweet orange smells of Christmas clementines and feels instantly friendly. Our Sweet Orange Essential Oil softens sharper scents and suits a guest bathroom well.

Scots pine, a breath of the Highlands

Scots pine is the only truly native pine in the UK, and in 2014 it was voted the national tree of Scotland³. It still grows in the ancient Caledonian pine forest of the Scottish Highlands³.

Our Pine Essential Oil brings that crisp forest scent indoors, and it blends beautifully with citrus.

For a festive blend, try two drops of sweet orange with one drop of pine on a cotton wool ball. For something brighter on a grey morning, pair lemongrass with sweet orange instead, and see which your household prefers.

How to use essential oils at home

One of the easiest ways is to add three or four drops to a cotton wool ball and tuck it on a high shelf, well out of reach of children and pets. Refresh it every few days.

A diffuser is another option for larger bathrooms, such as our Waterless Nebuliser Aroma Diffuser, used for short spells with the door open. Our guide to the best oils for a diffuser has more blending ideas.

If you have ever wondered what names like limonene and linalool mean on a label, our post on linalool and limonene explains these natural scent compounds.

Are essential oils safe around children and pets?

Keep essential oils well out of reach of children and pets, and never swallow them or apply them neat to the skin. They are also flammable, so keep bottles away from candles and open flames.

If you have a cat, do not use essential oils in any room it can get into, and avoid nebulised or ultrasonic diffusers near cats. Cats Protection warns that essential oils can be toxic to cats through skin contact, swallowing and breathing them in, and can cause serious harm including liver failure⁴.

If your cat has been exposed, contact your vet straight away, even if it seems well⁴. If anyone in your home has asthma or a sensitive nose, use scents lightly and keep the room well ventilated.

For advice on choosing and blending essential oils, you can book a free 15 minute consultation with one of our herbalists.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Edinburgh called Auld Reekie?

Auld Reekie means Old Smoky in Scots. The name comes from the smoke of chimneys and coal fires that hung over the crowded Old Town, along with the smells of the city¹.

How can I keep my bathroom smelling fresh naturally?

Ventilate after every shower, wash towels and bath mats often, empty the bin and keep drains clear. A little natural scent from essential oils can then add a fresh finishing touch.

Which essential oils are best for a bathroom?

Fresh, clean scents such as lemongrass, sweet orange and pine work well in a small space. Use only a few drops at a time.

How can I use essential oils without a diffuser?

Add a few drops to a cotton wool ball and place it on a high shelf, out of reach of children and pets. Refresh it every few days.

Are essential oils safe for cats?

No, they can be toxic to cats, so keep them out of any room your cat uses⁴. Contact your vet straight away if your cat is exposed.

Is Scots pine native to Scotland?

Yes. It is the only truly native pine in the UK and was voted Scotland's national tree in 2014³.

Why does my bathroom smell musty?

Musty smells usually come from damp, so improving airflow and drying towels fully often helps. If you spot mould or the smell lingers, the room may need better ventilation.

References

1. Culture Trip. Why is Edinburgh called Auld Reekie? Culture Trip. theculturetrip.com.
2. The Real Mary King's Close (2021). Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town: what is the difference? The Real Mary King's Close. realmarykingsclose.com.
3. Woodland Trust. Scots pine. Woodland Trust. woodlandtrust.org.uk.
4. Cats Protection (2021). Cats and essential oils. Cats Protection. cats.org.uk.
5. Jenkins, B.H. (2017). James Court, Edinburgh Old Town. Curious Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh. curiousedinburgh.org.