Many things lead to a smelly apartment. That cauliflower casserole you thought was a great idea. The damp clothes you tossed into the hamper three days ago and forgot about. Your sweet but sometimes stinky pet. Since apartments tend to be smaller spaces, there’s really no way to escape whatever the odor may be. Never fear – help for your smelly apartment is here!
Track Down the Source
Sometimes, you know the cause of the odor (looking at you, cauliflower casserole), but other times it can be a little more difficult to determine. First, step outside and take a few deep breaths of fresh air. If you’re around an odor long enough, it starts to smell everywhere. So take a moment to clear your head (nose?), and then go back inside. Now, follow the odor to where the scent is the strongest.
Clean the area where the smell is the worst and get rid of the source if it’s still there (the spoiled fruit, the musty gym socks, or whatever it is). If your apartment smells like smoke (you burned the cauliflower casserole), then wipe down the walls and countertops with a damp cloth.
If it’s a musty or mildew odor, you may have a water issue. If this is the case, you’ll need to submit a maintenance request with your landlord to take care of that first, then you can tackle any remaining odor.
Once you’ve dealt with the source, it’s time to eliminate any lingering odors.
Knock It Out Naturally
Baking soda and vinegar are your odor-fighting friends. (Yes, vinegar has a smell all its own, but bear with me here.) If you believe the odor is coming from your carpet (especially if you have a pet), sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and wait about an hour or so. Vacuum it up and enjoy the fresher smell of your apartment. Perhaps your gym shoes are the offenders. Sprinkle some baking soda inside. If it’s the fridge, open a container of baking soda and set it in there to absorb the odors.
If you think the source is your kitchen sink, pour apple cider vinegar into the drain and let it sit for a while to neutralize the odor. A small bowl of white vinegar on your kitchen counter will quickly eliminate food odor, as well. If the scent of vinegar is unpleasant to you, try using coffee grounds instead.
A cup or two of vinegar will freshen up your washing machine and dishwasher. Pour it into an empty washing machine or into the bottom of the dishwasher and run it through a full cycle to clean the appliances and eliminate odors.
Your microwave can develop an odor over time, and stuck-on food doesn’t help the situation any. Pour some water into a bowl and add some slices of lemon. Microwave it for a few minutes, and carefully (it’ll be hot!) remove the bowl. Now, wipe out the microwave (the stuck-on food should wipe away easily) and enjoy the fresh scent.
Garbage cans smell bad, even when the garbage is removed. Try soaking a slice of bread in white vinegar and leaving it in the can overnight.
Freshen Things Up
Now that you’ve tackled the worst of the smell, put a pleasant scent into the air with potpourri, air freshener, scented candles, or an oil diffuser. If you still like the idea of keeping things natural, you can use cinnamon sticks as potpourri, or even try the holiday tradition of oranges and cloves to add a nice scent to your apartment.
Diffusers with essential oils are terrific for not only making your apartment smell nice, but they also add humidity to the air. This is great if you live in a dry climate or just want your apartment to feel (and smell) like a spa.
If you don’t have a diffuser, you can set a pot of water on the stove (make sure it is just simmering and not boiling) and add to it some orange peels, cloves, and a cinnamon stick. Or try some vanilla extract and mint leaves. Or lemon slices, rosemary, and peppercorn. Make sure to turn off the stove before leaving your apartment or going to bed, and don’t let the water evaporate completely – add more as needed. Let it simmer for a little while, then turn it off. Don’t throw it out – you can cover it with a lid and use it again when you need another hint of freshness.
A scented candle is also a great way to add a pleasant scent, and it provides a certain ambiance. Just be careful not to leave your candle unattended and make sure you put it out before leaving the room or going to bed.
If the weather is nice, open the windows! A little fresh air can do wonders for airing out your space. If you have an air purifier, that can help as well, especially if it’s too cold outside to open your windows. If it is cold outside, try baking something that smells good like fresh bread or gingerbread cookies.
Hopefully, your apartment is now fresh and sweet-smelling. The next time you want to bake a cauliflower casserole or a sardine soufflé, you’ll know how to knock out those odors (and your neighbors will likely thank you).
