“Been Doing That for Years”: SA Woman Shares Pine Gel Hack To Kill Bathroom Smells, SA Reacts
- All Things Home With Mercy shared a simple DIY bathroom cleaning hack using pine gel in a viral Facebook video
- The creator demonstrated how to make a slow-release pine gel sachet that tackles urine smell with every flush
- South Africans tired of persistent bathroom odours are trying out the low-cost trick at home
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Source: Facebook
A content creator known as All Things Home With Mercy has South Africans rethinking how they deal with stubborn bathroom smells, and all it takes is pine gel and a plastic bag.
In a video posted on 9 September 2026, Mercy filmed a close-up, step-by-step demonstration inside her home bathroom, walking viewers through a budget-friendly toilet freshener they can make themselves.
The simple pine gel trick
The hack works by pouring pine gel into a small plastic bag, tying it securely with a tight knot, and then using a sharp object to poke tiny holes into the bag. The small holes control how much pine gel is released each time the toilet is flushed, making the bag last longer and continuously deodorising the bowl.
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One detail Mercy stressed was safety. She warned viewers not to leave the bag floating freely inside the toilet basin, explaining that it could cause a blockage. Instead, she advised tying it firmly to something inside the cistern or bowl so it stays in place.
"Whenever you flush, you'll be removing the bad smell and cleaning your toilet bowl as well."
A hack built for everyday homes
The appeal of the tip lies in how accessible it is. Pine gel is widely available and inexpensive, making this a practical solution for households looking to keep bathrooms fresh without spending money on commercial toilet fresheners or blocks.
Mercy's page, All Things Home With Mercy, focuses on practical home tips filmed in a casual, no-fuss style that resonates with everyday viewers looking for real solutions to common household problems.
View the Facebook post here:
Mzansi reacts to the bathroom tip
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The comments section on her page turned into a full cleaning tips exchange, with viewers sharing their own experiences.
Sbongile Lebohang said:
"My mother has been doing that for years and our toilet always smells fresh and clean."
Melinda Forbay wrote:
"I found a great hack that works wonders! Just put StaySoft in your toilet brush with a bit of water and let it sit."
Ous Keke Ramokhoase warned:
"I once tried it, that plastic blocked the toilet 🚽"
Ronaldo Simeon joked:
"Someone once told me that pine gel is poverty soap since it's used for everything. I wanted to cry cos I use it for the bathroom and mopping the floors."
More Briefly News stories on cleaning
- A viral TikTok of a South African woman deep-cleaning her wheelie bins after her domestic worker left sparked debate over household roles and the division of labour.
- A South African TikToker shared a cleaning hack using expired pills to remove stubborn burnt stains from an iron soleplate, leaving viewers divided.
- A UK lawyer faces possible prison time after cleaning a polluted river without the required environmental permit.
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Source: Briefly News
