If you’ve ever walked into a fancy restaurant or an upscale hotel and noticed ice floating around in the toilet bowl, you’re probably not alone in thinking it looked a little odd. At first glance, it may seem unnecessary or even wasteful, but there’s actually a smart and practical reason behind this strange sight. In fact, this simple trick is something you can easily do at home to tackle one of the most common household problems: unpleasant bathroom odors. Believe it or not, the ice-in-the-toilet trick is a surprisingly effective method that hotels and restaurants have used for years to keep their restrooms smelling fresh and clean. And once you understand the reasoning behind it, you’ll see why you might want to give it a try yourself.

Let’s be honest—dealing with persistent bathroom smells is not exactly fun, but it’s something everyone has to face sooner or later. Despite using air fresheners, sprays, and cleaning products, that strong, lingering smell of urine can still hang around. The culprit behind this persistent odor is ammonia gas. When urine breaks down, it releases ammonia, which produces that sharp, unpleasant smell that can fill up a bathroom in no time—especially in warmer environments or areas with poor ventilation. The hotter and stuffier it gets, the faster ammonia evaporates and spreads through the air, making it nearly impossible to eliminate completely with simple sprays or deodorants. Covering up the smell only works for so long before it comes back. That’s where ice water comes into play. It offers a more effective solution by addressing the source of the problem rather than just masking it.

Here’s how it works. The process of ammonia gas evaporating from liquid depends on temperature. Warm temperatures encourage faster evaporation, while colder conditions slow that process down. When you pour ice-cold water into the toilet bowl, you lower the water’s temperature significantly. This makes it much harder for the ammonia to turn into gas and escape into the air. Instead, the ammonia stays dissolved in the cold water. Once you flush, all of that ammonia and its associated odor are washed right down the drain. No lingering smell, no chemical cover-ups—just a fresher-smelling bathroom. It’s a simple solution based on basic science, and it works surprisingly well.

If you want to try this at home, it’s incredibly easy to do. You’ll only need a bucket or large bowl, some ice cubes, and cold water. Start by filling the bucket about three-quarters full with ice, then add cold water until the bucket is almost full. The colder the mixture, the better. Carefully pour the ice water into your toilet bowl, making sure not to splash. Let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes.

During this time, the cold temperature will slow down the release of ammonia gas, and the ammonia will stay dissolved in the water instead of filling your bathroom with odors. Once enough time has passed, simply flush the toilet and enjoy a fresher-smelling space. If your bathroom gets heavy use or if you just want to maintain a pleasant environment, you can repeat this process once or twice a week.

So why does this method work better than air fresheners or chemical sprays? Most sprays and deodorizing products simply mask odors with strong fragrances. They don’t actually deal with the underlying cause, which is the ammonia gas. Ice water, on the other hand, tackles the problem at its source by stopping the gas from escaping into the air in the first place. Another advantage? It’s completely chemical-free. If you have kids, pets, or anyone sensitive to harsh smells or cleaning products in your home, this is a safer, more natural alternative. Plus, it’s easy on the wallet and environmentally friendly.

Want to take things a step further? Here are a few extra tips to keep your bathroom smelling fresh. Clean your toilet regularly, making sure to get under the rim and around the base where odors can accumulate. Improve air circulation by cracking a window or using an exhaust fan. Poor ventilation allows humidity and odors to linger. Also, keep an eye out for hidden leaks. Sometimes urine can seep into hard-to-clean areas around the toilet base, causing lingering smells. You can also sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl from time to time. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before flushing. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and works well alongside the ice water trick.

The ice water method is especially useful before guests arrive, in bathrooms shared by multiple people, or before hosting parties and special occasions. It’s a simple and affordable trick that makes a noticeable difference. There’s no need to buy fancy cleaning gadgets or expensive sprays when you can freshen your bathroom with something as basic as ice and water.

In conclusion, those fancy restaurants and hotels aren’t just tossing ice in their toilets for no reason. They’re using a smart, science-backed method to keep their restrooms smelling clean and fresh. And now you can do the same in your own home. Next time you notice an unpleasant odor lingering in your bathroom, skip the air freshener and grab a bucket of ice water instead. It’s quick, easy, and incredibly effective—your nose will thank you!