The 12 Best Air Fresheners For Bathroom Smells

Stick this odor absorber on your bathroom counter, and all the funky smells will be gone. The solid gel sucks in odors (it works for up to 90 days in up to 450 feet) while leaving behind a light scent. All the ingredients are naturally derived. The subtle Lavender Vanilla scent (pictured above) is incredibly relaxing, though you can also pick it up in Calming Rain or Soothing Breeze if you prefer something fresher and less herbaceous.

Positive Amazon review: “I put one of these in each bathroom in the house and in the kitchen. You can get more than 60 to 90 days of use if you add water towards the end of the life expectancy. They really do leave behind a light and pleasant fragrance.”

Type of air freshener: Odor-absorbing gel | Available scents: 3

Also available on: Bed Bath & Beyond, $10 (2-Pack)

Just one spray of this toilet spray before you go to the bathroom, and it’s as if poo never happened. The spray uses natural compounds and essential oils to trap odors so they never leave the toilet bowl. This formula has no harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances, just all-natural, odor-fighting ingredients. Choose from tons of scents, from Original Citrus (pictured above) to fun seasonal fragrances like Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cider.

Positive Amazon review: “A must-have! This spray camouflages some of the worst scents ever. I sometimes use it [in] the toilet just to freshen the bathroom because the scent works even when not pooping and lasts a long time. A nice addition to any bathroom.”

Type of air freshener: Toilet spray | Available scents: 21

Also available on: Bed Bath & Beyond, $10, and Rite Aid, $10

Your poo may not smell like roses, but this air freshener can make your bathroom smell like a garden. Using lavender essential oils, rose petals, and water crystals, this little jar adds a refreshing scent to every room. There’s no artificial fragrance or overpowering smells. Just a touch of aromatherapy to make your bathroom smell a little nicer.

Positive Amazon review: “I ordered this for a small bathroom and was worried it would not ‘fill the space.’ To my delight, it works perfectly. A light floral greeting, not overpowering, meets users as they enter... perfect!!!”

Type of air freshener: Odor-absorbing gel | Available scents: 4

Also available on: Walmart, $18

The toilet isn’t the only source of bad smells in the bathroom. So, if you need some general air purification, use this four-pack of bamboo charcoal bags to trap odors. The charcoal naturally absorbs odor and excess moisture, so you won’t have to worry about mildew or mold creeping in. If the bag seems to be losing its power, just set it out in the sun, and it’s completely rejuvenated.

Positive Amazon review: “We moved into a rental and bought a cabinet in [an] estate sale. Lots of strong funky odors that needed elimination, and were they! We followed the easy instructions to ‘activate’ the bags and within hours, the closet, the cabinet, and the bathroom were more or less odorless. The packaging is cute enough that I just let one hang in plain site in the bathroom. Awesome product!”

Type of air freshener: Bamboo charcoal | Available scents: Unscented

If you can’t get enough of your ever-expanding Yankee Candle collection, consider these fragrance spheres from the brand. The gel-filled spheres work to absorb odors in small spaces for up to 30 days while also emitting a signature Yankee Candle scent — and you have 17 to choose from, including the refreshing Catching Rays scent linked here. When the spheres shrink, you know the effectiveness has run out, though some reviewers note that they revive if you add a bit of water and shake. You can recycle the jar when you’re finished using it.

Positive Amazon review: “I bought an additional scent after I purchased this one because they are so vibrant and fragrant. I keep one in every bathroom, and as I read in a previous review, I add a few [drops] of water from the sink a couple of times a week to revive the fragrance. I’ve had this for 6 months and they are both going strong.”

Type of air freshener: Odor-absorbing gel | Available scents: 17

Also available on: Bed Bath & Beyond, $6, and Kohl’s, $7

There are a lot of odor-eliminating sprays out there, but most are full of chemicals and cloying fragrances. This room spray is completely natural and leaves any room in your home with an aromatherapeutic scent. The essential oils in the spray naturally dissolve and neutralize odors, while the lemongrass geranium scent that remains is subtle and refreshing.

Positive Amazon review: “We use it in the bathroom and for general room freshening. The product is not cheap, but being a pump spray and not an aerosol [...] should last months. Scent is more subtle than most aerosols we’ve tried over the years.”

Type of air freshener: Room spray | Available scents: 3

Also available on: Walmart, $20 (2-Pack)

This nontoxic candle doesn’t have a masking scent; instead, it works hard to neutralize any odors lingering around your home, whether they come from the bathroom or elsewhere. It’s soy-based, recyclable, and clean-burning — and, best of all, reviewers have attested that it’s effective.

Positive Amazon review: “I’ve used Fresh Wave for years [...] It does have a strong initial scent upon opening, but that quickly dissipates, along with the stinky odor. I wasn’t sure if the candle would be comparable in its effectiveness, but it was! Works well in smaller spaces. Not sure about longevity, as I only burnt it when needed. Recommend.”

Type of air freshener: Candle | Available scents: 1

Also available on: Bed Bath & Beyond, $15, and Walmart, $15

Why shouldn’t your toilet sprays be chic? The minimalist packaging on the Muse Apothecary toilet spray looks streamlined enough to display (proudly!). What’s inside is equally nice: The vegan, cruelty-free formula (handmade in California) contains a blend of aloe, lavender, and eucalyptus essential oils, so you’ll get some aromatherapeutic benefits while you mask any unwanted scents in your bathroom. Go ahead and spritz it in your bedroom, kitchen, and even your car, too.

Positive Amazon review: “Best I’ve used [...] I like it much better than the most popular brand. Smells good, the containers and label look really good and the amount you'll receive is an incredible value!”

Type of air freshener: Toilet spray | Available scents: 2

Also available on: Walmart, $10

There are a few reasons why this motion-detecting toilet light is worth the (inexpensive) purchase. One, it’s fun to see your toilet light up in 13 different colors. Two, the toilet light is the perfect brightness for nighttime bathroom trips. But most importantly, the light comes with an air freshener attachment that you can replace when you need to. So, you’ll have a fun disco toilet that also smells great.

Positive Amazon review: “I was looking for just an air freshener but this also has a motion-activated light which is pretty cool. It changes colors. It does require 3 AAA batteries but they’re easy to install and the setup [was] painless.”

Type of air freshener: Air freshener gel inserts | Available scents: 1

If you don’t want to deal with spraying every time you walk into the bathroom, let this automatic air freshener do it for you. The battery-powered device neutralizes bacterial odors and delivers automatic bursts of fragrance. This kit comes with two refills, each lasting up to 60 days, to get you started.

Positive Amazon review: “I use this in my bathroom on the lowest setting, just to give it a light, pleasant smell, and it works perfectly for that. Not overwhelming, but doesn’t disappear in between sprays either.”

Type of air freshener: Room spray | Available scents: 2

Also available on: Walmart, $14, and Walgreens, $16

You probably know Squatty Potty for their innovative toilet stool — so it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that they make other beloved bathroom accessories, like this gently fragranced Pre-Potty Spray. This Cherry Blossom scent is made with an essential oil blend for a fresh, fruity smell, and the whole experience is enhanced with a beautiful, calming watercolor print on the packaging. If you don’t love Cherry Blossom, you can pick up the Lavender Vanilla or Lemon Drop fragrances instead. Whichever scent you choose, your bottle will last up to 200 sprays, according to the brand.

Positive Amazon review: “This is great for home and work. Anywhere you are sharing a bathroom with anyone or even just by yourself. [...] The scent is light yet strong enough to cover offensive smells. I definitely recommend this!”

Type of air freshener: Toilet spray | Available scents: 3

Also available on: Walmart, $10

Sometimes, bathroom odors are caused by bacteria buildup. So, to really keep things fresh, try this UV-C sanitizer and air freshener. Place it in a corner of your bathroom — it works immediately to thoroughly sanitize your air. The UV light kills odor-causing bacteria without using any chemicals and your air will smell noticeably fresher. If you’re not a fan of fragrance, this is a perfect way to keep things fresh without adding masking scents. Plus, many reviewers confirm that this works wonders to remove pet and smoke odors.

Positive Amazon review: “Easy to clean and works great. The air coming out of the purifier smells clean, almost like mild chlorine, and it does eliminate odors in the air. You can hear it run if things are quiet, but not too loud to complain about.”

Type of air freshener: Air purifier | Available scents: Unscented