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A Hunker report describes a tip from YouTube cleaning creator Andrea Jean: add essential oil to a wooden clothespin and place it near shower steam to release fragrance. The trick may mask odors temporarily, but a persistent musty smell could indicate mold or mildew that needs cleaning at its source.
Andrea Jean, a cleaning and organization creator on YouTube, demonstrated using an essential-oil-soaked wooden clothespin as a simple way to add fragrance to a shower, according to a Hunker report. The method uses shower warmth and steam to carry the scent, but it does not remove the cause of a persistent musty odor, which may be mold or mildew.
In the video described by Hunker, Jean applied several drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a wooden clothespin, turning the pin so the oil reached its different sides. She clipped it to the edge of the shower head, close to the steam but not in the water. Hunker also suggests attaching a scented pin to a shower curtain or the upper edge of a shower door.
The idea is that the wood absorbs the oil and then releases its aroma as moisture and heat pass through the shower area. The scent is temporary: Hunker says users will likely need to add more oil when it fades, and may need to replace the clothespin after it has absorbed moisture over time. More than one scented pin can be used for a stronger fragrance, according to the report.
Eucalyptus is the oil Jean used, but the report says people could choose another scent, including lavender or citrus. It describes the approach as a quick alternative to making a DIY shower steamer. Hunker mentions a bottle of pure eucalyptus oil costing about $8 at Target at the time of its report; prices and availability can change.
A Scent Fix, Not Mold Removal
The tip offers a low-effort way to make shower air smell fresher without using a spray, but readers should distinguish covering an odor from resolving it. A clothespin can add fragrance; it cannot establish why a bathroom smells musty or remove mold and mildew. If the smell keeps returning, masking it may delay attention to the underlying moisture or growth.
That distinction matters because bathrooms regularly become damp, while a persistent odor can be a sign that the shower needs inspection and cleaning. Hunker advises cleaning suspected mold or mildew rather than relying on fragrance. It also recommends drying the shower stall after bathing as a way to help limit conditions that support growth. The article does not provide testing or evidence that the scented-pin method treats mold, prevents it, or improves air quality.
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How the Clothespin Trick Works
Wood can absorb liquid and later release moisture through evaporation. Hunker applies that basic property to the DIY idea: the clothespin takes up essential oil, and the warm, humid air from a shower helps distribute its smell. This is a home-fragrance method, not a repair or a mold-remediation procedure.
The report places the pin near, rather than directly in, the shower’s water. It notes that similar scented clothespins are recommended in blogs and on social media for bathrooms, closets and cars, and compares the shower version with homemade baking-soda-and-oil steamers. The supplied report does not cite controlled tests comparing these options or quantify how long the fragrance lasts.
““Covering the smell won’t fix the source.””
— Hunker
What the Odor May Signal
The report does not establish that every musty shower smell comes from mold or mildew. It says a persistent odor may indicate those problems, but offers no inspection findings or diagnostic test for a particular bathroom. It also does not say how long a scented pin will remain fragrant, how frequently it must be replaced, or whether the method works equally well in different shower sizes and ventilation conditions.
Hunker recommends scrubbing suspected mold and mildew with diluted bleach, but the supplied material does not specify dilution ratios or explain which surfaces are appropriate for bleach. Readers should follow product-label directions, avoid mixing bleach with other cleaners, ventilate the area and use suitable protection. If growth is extensive, returns after cleaning, or appears to involve hidden areas, the report does not give a detailed remediation plan; professional advice may be needed.
Refresh the Pin, Check the Shower
For someone trying the fragrance method, the steps described are to apply a few drops of oil to a wooden pin, place it near steam without letting it sit in the water, and reapply oil when the smell fades. The pin should be replaced if it becomes unsuitable after repeated exposure to moisture. The approach is intended to add scent, not to resolve a persistent odor.
If the musty smell continues, the next step is to look for and address its source rather than adding more fragrance. Hunker recommends cleaning suspected mold or mildew and drying the shower stall after bathing. The source provides no announced follow-up or testing of Jean’s tip, so its effectiveness and longevity remain unverified beyond the explanation in the report.
Key Questions
How do you make a scented shower clothespin?
Apply several drops of essential oil to a wooden clothespin, turning it to spread the oil, then clip it near shower steam. The method described by Hunker keeps the pin away from direct contact with water.
Which essential oil did Andrea Jean use?
Jean used eucalyptus oil in the video described by Hunker. The report says lavender or citrus oils are alternatives, but does not compare their effects.
Will a clothespin remove a musty smell caused by mold?
No. The clothespin is meant to add fragrance and may mask an odor temporarily. Hunker warns that suspected mold or mildew must be cleaned at its source.
How long does the scent last?
The report does not give a specific duration. It says to add more oil when the scent fades and notes that moisture may eventually mean the clothespin needs replacing.
What should I do if the musty odor persists?
Check for a moisture or mold problem and address it rather than relying on added fragrance. Hunker recommends cleaning suspected mold or mildew and drying the shower after use; follow cleaner labels and do not mix bleach with other products.
Source: rss
