This topic is all about finding ways to manage and eliminate unpleasant odors from an ostomy bag. If you're dealing with this issue, here are some helpful tips and insights that might make things a bit easier:

1. Commercial Odor Eliminators:
- Hollister M9 is a popular choice, though some find its scent unappealing.
- Na’Scent is another option, known for being odorless but it can be more expensive.

2. DIY and Household Pouch Deodorizers:
- You can try using peppermint Tic Tacs, peppermint dietary-supplement gel caps, or baking powder directly in the bag.
- For a homemade spray, mix 80% rubbing alcohol with 5–12 drops of essential oil like lemongrass or cinnamon in a spray bottle. Adjust the number of drops based on your preference and bottle size. Shake well before use and spray into the pouch, toilet water before emptying, or the bathroom air. Be careful not to spray the stoma.
- Lavender-scented baby oil can help control odor and make the output slide down more easily.

3. Other Odor-Control Practices:
- Use a piece of toilet paper sprayed with Clorox Scentiva to wipe the cap after emptying.
- If you have sensitivity concerns, stick to edible or natural additives.

4. Understanding Irrigation:
- This is a non-surgical procedure for colostomies, not ileostomies, done every 24–36 hours to flush and empty the colon.
- It keeps the bowel empty between sessions, reducing routine output, leaks, gas, and odor. Many people switch from a pouch to a small cap or patch.
- To be a candidate, you need some healthy descending colon remaining. Many colorectal cancer survivors qualify.

5. Dietary Influence:
- A strictly plant-based diet can significantly reduce pouch odor, while meat, fish, dairy, and other animal products can increase it.