Preparing Your Bathroom for Potty Training Boys

We talk a lot about potty training boys and cleaning up after they make messes while potty training, but today I want to talk about preparing your bathroom for potty training boys.

Preparing Your Bathroom for Potty Training Boys

My poor bathroom. I don’t think it really knew what was coming when we built our house. My oldest was only 2 when we moved in and was not potty trained yet. But soon after we moved in, the potty training started and we have now potty trained 4 boys. I can happily say that we are DONE with potty training, but it doesn’t matter how old boys get, they still make messes in the bathroom. I’m going to talk about potty training boys in a post later this week, but for now, let’s discuss preparing your bathroom for potty training boys. Because, let’s face it, it doesn’t matter how many cute toilet targets you buy, or how many cheerios your sons aim for, your boys are going to make a mess of your bathroom. It will never be the same again!

There are a few simple things that you can do in your bathroom to help minimize cleaning and smell once you start potty training boys. Unfortunately, you will be cleaning up a lot of urine for years to come.

How to Prepare Your Bathroom for Potty Training Boys

There are a few simple things you can do in your home to make clean up a lot easier and decrease chances of urine getting in places that you don’t want it. Post contains affiliate links.

1- Caulk Around the Bottom of the Toilet

Over time the caulking around the bottom of the toilet can wear down, especially when you clean it often. Make sure that the caulk is still intact so that urine doesn’t get between the toilet and the floor, causing a stinky mess.

2-Check For Loose Linoleum

If you have Linoleum flooring in your bathroom, make sure it is secured to the floor and not pulling up, especailly around the toilet. I have had readers ask for tips on getting the urine smell out of wood floors under the linoleum, and to be honest, I don’t have any. (If you do, please let me know in the comments!) It’s better to prevent it from getting under in the first place. It is really simple to purchase some floor adhesive and glue it back down if there is a need.

3-Seal Your Grout

Not only does sealing your grout help your tile last longer, but it keeps moisture out that can lead to mildew and smell! Potty training boys add a lot of extra “moisture” to the floors of your bathroom and you don’t want smelly urine sinking into your grout. Sealing your grout is fairly easy and will help keep your bathroom smelling fresh.

4- Remove Rugs or Be Prepared to Wash A LOT

I have rugs in my bathrooms, and minus the week or two where we are actually potty training, I typically keep them there. But, my rugs are very washable and have been washed hundreds of times. So this is definitely personal preference, but if you have bathroom rugs, be prepared to do a lot of laundry.

These are just a few things I thought of to help prepare your bathroom for potty training boys (and beyond!).

What tips for Preparing Your Bathroom for Raising Boys do you have that I may have missed?

This post is a part of our series 31 Days of Tips for Raising Boys. Each day throughout the series we are discussing a different topic regarding raising boys. I’d love for you to follow along and share this series with other parents of boys who may need some support or just to hear that they aren’t alone in their journey of raising boys.

Check out our next post in the series: Advice for Potty Training Boys from Moms of Boys