Poo Spray Takes the Stink Away

We’ve all seen the commercial where an attractive woman in a frou-frou dress is seen sitting on a toilet in various scenarios talking about how she prevents her poop from stinking.  If you haven’t tried it, yes, that product really does work but it’s expensive and depending upon how many poopers you have in your household, it might not be realistic.

This is how it works: the spray contains an oily substance that when sprayed into a toilet, creates a film across the surface of the water. When poop drops into the water it sinks below the level of the water and the oil slick closes over it,  forming a barrier.

Any odor is actually made up of airborne molecules perceived as a scent or aroma of the source of the scent. If you smell poop, it’s because particles – perhaps very tiny particles – are in the air. Ewww! That oil slick on the surface of the water in the toilet bowl seals in those molecules so they can’t become airborne.

Now that you know how it works you can understand you need only 2 ingredients but we add a couple more to make it work even better.

You need an oily substance. Most recipes call for glycerin. You can also use dish soap or even olive oil.

You need a scent.  Use essential oils because, again, if you can smell it those molecules are in the air and you want to be certain that what you’re breathing in in the relatively confined space of your bathroom is going to not cause you harm. Right?  You can use any scent but you might start to associate it with poop so a special blend that won’t mess with your brain might be a good idea.

But to make this concoction go further, you should dilute it with water, and then to help the oil and water mix together, add some alcohol (isopropyl or vodka) or witch hazel.  A little food coloring can make it easier to see covereage, too.

Here is the recipe. Fiddle with it and make it your own.

• 8 ounce glass spray bottle (glass because essential oils can degrade plastic)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/8 cup alcohol
• 1/8 cup glycerin or dish soap (or other oily substance)
• 15 drops each essential oils  (total of 45 drops) bergamot, grapefruit, lemon
• Food coloring – optional – about 3 or 4 drops

Put all ingredients into the glass spray bottle using a small funnel.

To use: Shake vigorously and spray onto the water in the toilet until a fine film covers the surface. It doesn’t take as much as you think and food coloring will help you to see that. Do your business. No smell! Flush.