Real Odor Removal Tips for NYC and Chicago Apartments
Living in a studio or one-bedroom apartment in NYC or Chicago has its perks—walkable neighborhoods, cool city vibes, everything within reach. But when a weird smell creeps in, your space can go from cozy to unbearable real fast. That’s why we put together our most effective odor removal tips for apartments, so you can breathe easy in your home without relying on overpowering sprays or gimmicky gadgets. Whether it’s the bathroom, the trash, or something you can’t quite place—we’ve got you.
Why Masking Odors Doesn’t Work in Small Spaces
We get it—it’s tempting to just light a candle or spray something floral and pretend the smell is gone. But masking odors doesn’t actually solve the problem. In tight apartments, smells linger longer and become more concentrated. Trying to cover up bad smells with fragrance just mixes two odors together. Instead, it’s crucial to find and eliminate the source.
Not only is this the healthier route (no synthetic perfume clouds to breathe in), but it also keeps your space consistently fresh—not just for guests, but for your own peace of mind. When you address the root cause, you reduce bacteria, boost hygiene, and extend the life of your surfaces.
Identify the Source: Where Odors Usually Hide
Before you reach for a product, take a second to track down what’s actually causing the odor. In small spaces, the top offenders are:
- Bathroom areas: especially around toilets, urinals (if present), and grout.
- Kitchen corners and under sinks: leftover crumbs, grease splatter, or food build-up.
- Trash bins and recycling areas: even if the bag is gone, residue often lingers.
- Floor drain traps: particularly in laundry areas or by the bathroom.
- Pet areas: litter boxes, dog beds, or toy piles.
Once you’ve pinpointed the source, you can match it with the right cleaning method and product.
Bathroom Smells: Daily Habits That Make a Big Difference
Bathrooms are the most common culprits for persistent odors, especially in shared apartments or dorm-style setups. Urine smells can soak into tile grout, floors, and even the base of toilets. The key to odor control is daily disinfecting, especially in high-touch zones.
Here’s what works:
- Use a disinfectant that specifies proper dwell time. Let it sit on surfaces like toilet seats, urinals, floors, and handles before wiping.
- Scrub grout with a stiff brush weekly to remove trapped moisture and odor-causing bacteria.
- Lay down absorbent mats around toilets and urinals—replace them weekly.
- Clean the base of the toilet—it’s often ignored, but that’s where odor thrives.
These small daily habits dramatically reduce buildup and odor development, giving your apartment a lasting clean feel.
Kitchen & Trash Areas: Preventing Build-Up Before It Starts
In a compact kitchen, smells can build up quickly. The biggest tip here? Don’t wait until the trash is full.
- Empty trash daily, especially during warmer months.
- Clean the bin itself weekly with a degreasing cleaner.
- Wipe down counters, sink edges, and the floor around the trash can.
- If you cook often, degrease backsplash tiles and stove areas to prevent lingering smells.
Odor removal tips for apartments always emphasize the kitchen because even clean spaces can harbor hidden smells in drain lines, dishwashers, or garbage disposals. Once a week, pour a cup of vinegar or baking soda into your sink drain, followed by hot water.
Floor & Drain Maintenance in Compact Apartments
Floor drains may not be top of mind, but they’re often the source of mystery odors—especially when the traps dry out and sewer gas starts sneaking in.
Here’s a simple routine:
- Once a week, pour about a gallon of water mixed with cleaning solution into floor drains in bathrooms or laundry areas.
- Keep an eye (and nose) on laundry appliances—lint buildup and detergent spills contribute to smells.
- Mop bathroom floors with disinfectant and make sure you get into the corners. That’s where bacteria love to grow.
It’s all about consistency—just like with brushing your teeth, skipping a day can make a big difference over time.
Choosing the Right Scent (After Cleaning Right!)
We love a fresh-smelling apartment as much as anyone, but fragrance should be the finishing touch—not the fix. After you’ve deep cleaned and removed the actual source of odors, a pleasant scent can elevate your space.
Here are some tips for small-space scenting:
- Citrus scents are great for energizing mornings—ideal for bathrooms or living areas.
- Fresh/clean cotton works well in office-style corners or desks.
- Soft vanilla or sandalwood can make small bedrooms feel cozy without being overwhelming.
That said, no scent should ever be used to mask poor hygiene. True freshness comes from actual cleanliness—not just perfume in the air. Always follow proper odor removal tips for apartments before adding scent layers.
Final Tips: When in Doubt, Deep Clean It Out
If you’ve cleaned the obvious spots but something still smells off, it’s time to go deeper. Look behind appliances, under beds, and in closets. Forgotten spills, dust piles, or damp shoes might be to blame.
Also, be honest with yourself—how consistent is your cleaning schedule? Even once-a-week routines can fall short if you skip the details. Add reminders, keep basic supplies on hand, and never underestimate the power of a good scrub.
And when life gets too busy (as it does in NYC and Chicago), trust that you don’t have to do it alone.
Conclusion
At MyClean, we believe that real freshness comes from doing things right the first time. Our team doesn’t just wipe down surfaces—we follow proven protocols to sanitize, disinfect, and remove odors at the source. From restocking bathrooms to cleaning high-touch areas, we treat each apartment as if it were our own.
We bring comfort and convenience to your routine with an easy-to-book system, flexible scheduling, and live support that actually responds. And because our cleaners are trained, polite, and thorough, you get the consistency and quality that make all the difference—especially when it comes to living in a clean, odor-free space.
