How do I get the smell out of my bathroom floor cracks?

Enzyme cleaners are going to be your best bet for those cracks and crevices. Bleach is great for disinfecting the surface, but it doesn't acutally break down the organic proteins in waste that cause that lingering smell. You need something like **Nature's Miracle** or a similar pet odor eliminator. beacuse it's a liquid, you can pour it directly into those gaps under the baseboards and let it seep down into the subfloor just like the toilet water did. The enzymes will basically 'eat' the organic matter causing the stench as it dries. If the smell has already permeated the air and the enzyme soak doesn't fully kill it, you might need to look into an **ozone generator**. You can usally rent these from a hardware store for a day. You have to be extremely careful with them, though. You can't have any plants, pets, or people in the apartment while it's running because ozone is toxic to breathe. Seal the bathroom door with some painters tape, run it for a few hours, and then air the place out completely. It's what professional restoration companies use for smoke and biohazard smells.

For a cheaper, immediate fix just to get through the day, grab a can of **Ozium**. It’s way stronger than your typical grocery store air freshener. It’s an air sanitizer that actually chemically binds to odor molecules rather than just covering them up with a floral scent. It won't fix the source of the problem in the floorboards, but it'll stop you from gagging every time you have to brush your teeth.

Since you're moving out soon, just keep hitting those floor gaps with the enzyme cleaner every few days. The goal is to get the liquid to follow the same path the overflow took. Once the source under the tiles is neutralized, the smell should dissipate for good.

Have you ruled out the wax ring being the actual source? If the overflow was heavy, that seal at the base might have given out. If it’s compromised, you’re fighting sewer gas, and no amount of enzyme cleaner in the cracks is going to stop that. I'd also be wary of just soaking the floor. Have you checked the drywall behind those baseboards? If the water sat for a while, the sheetrock likely wicked it up. If the wall feels soft, you might be dealing with a moisture trap that an air sanitizer won't touch. Check if the scent is coming from the walls rather than just the tile gaps.

Whoa, that sounds absolutely intense! I relly hope the enzyme stuff works so you can breathe again!! Since everyone is talking about deep cleaning cracks and seepage, does anyone know if those same enzymes work for getting old oil spots off a concrete driveway? I’m moving soon too and I’m desperate to get my parking spot looking brand new before my new truck arrives! Is there a specific brand for outdoor stone that won't ruin the finish?

Since you're dealin' with those old tiles, try some baking soda after you've dried the liquid. Dump a whole box over the cracks and let it sit overnight. It draws out moisture the cleaner might've missed. I had a similar leak in my old place and it was the only thing that stopped the 'damp' smell from hanging around. Also, keep your fan running 24/7 or get a small space heater in there to bone-dry those floorboards. If it stays humid, you're just growin' mold.

Quick update — I went out and got an enzyme cleaner like a few of you suggested. I realy soaked those gaps under the baseboards and let it do its thing overnight. It totally killed the smell! I was worried about the wax ring being the issue, but it seems like it was just stuff trapped in the subfloor. Finally, I can breathe again!