So often we feel like we cleaned our homes top to bottom. However, if we miss just one area or a small piece of trash, it can be game over.
That one thing we trailed in from the New York City streets, or the one room we skipped over, can often leave our homes smelling unpleasant. Then, we’ll spend hours tearing our homes apart – and undoing much of our great cleaning work – just to find the source of the smell.
To help you avoid that unproductive fate, we’ve put together a list of common causes for unpleasant odors, as well as tips to remove the smell and help your home feel fresh again.
Common Causes of Unpleasant Smells
Before you start your cleaning routine over to get rid of the nasty odor in your NYC apartment, check out the below common culprits. More often than not, they are the source of the unpleasant smell in your home.
1. Trash Zones
If there’s an unpleasant smell, the first thing most people do is take out the trash. That’s a good start, but there are other spots to check out to ensure you’re fully getting rid of the smell.
- Sweep the floors. Often, food debris can fall on the ground, and over time, it can start to smell. It can also attract pests, which bring their own unique odor.
- Check the trash bin. Food and other items could have spilled into the can. A 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar can help remove smells, though if they are really bad, you may need to wash it completely in a bathtub or utilize bleach.
- Look for spoiled food. If you have a pantry, check for food that may have gone bad or something on the shelves that shouldn’t be there.
Next time, if there’s something particularly smelly, you may want to take it directly outside to avoid the smell from building up in your home.
2. Pets
Pets can bring so much joy to a household, but they can also bring a lot of dirt, dander, and other unpleasantries that make your apartment smell bad.
- Clean out litter boxes and replace potty pads. Anywhere that’s a safe spot for your pet to go to the bathroom.
- Check throw rugs, table legs, and other fixtures. Some animals may mark places they aren’t supposed to, and that can smell over time.
- Explore sitting areas. Any surface that your pet sits on, whether it’s a counter, couch, chair, or something else, may start to smell.
- Throw out old toys. Old pet toys can smell after continued usage.
You should groom your pet regularly to keep them smelling fresh, as well as sweep to remove fur to help keep your house clean with pets.
3. Drains
A lot of stuff goes down your drains. Sometimes, it gets stuck, causing a lingering odor.
- If you have a garbage disposal, consider using ice cubes, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of bleach, and lemon slices. This will help loosen up leftover particles and leave a fresh lemon smell.
- Remove hair and other buildup from around the bathroom drain and immediately inside it. Then, you can pour a little baking soda and vinegar down the drain and rinse it with hot water.
- Check other drains, including sump pumps, P-traps, etc., as applicable, to ensure it’s not coming from the sewage or plumbing system.
Drains are intended to stop unwanted debris from making its way into the plumbing system, but sometimes they need a little help to clean up natural backup.
4. Mold, Mildew, and Bacteria
Moisture buildup can lead to mold and mildew, especially in the bathroom. It often develops in hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. And with it come bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus Epidermis, that can make you sick.
- Check shower corners. Mold can form in grout, which can be difficult to clean. Use a toothbrush with some bleach to get into the hard-to-reach places.
- Wash the inside and outside of your windows. Moisture can get trapped in window sills, so keep them free from water to prevent mold.
- Check around sealants. Sometimes caulk can wear away, letting moisture get trapped in small spaces. Steamers or small brushes can help you clean out those spaces before you recaulk them.
- Wash your towels, rugs, and shower curtains. You should frequently wash and change your linens in the bathroom. They can smell musty with repeated use. Also, frequently switch out your liner as this can also harbor bacteria.
The smells in your bathroom aren’t limited to the toilet, though that may be your first place to look.
5. Soft Surfaces
Anything that has fabric in your home can hold onto smells. This can include:
- Couches
- Carpet
- Rugs
- Curtains
- Mattresses
- Blankets
- Pillows
Some of these items can be easily washed, while others you can use baking soda to remove odor. Make sure to do a quick spot check before you coat the entire surface so you understand how the surface will react. The baking soda could leave residue that you’d need to remove with water after.
6. Dust
No matter how much we try to keep up with dusting, the task is never over! If there’s too much dust in your home, it may smell musty and stale.
This can be more common if you have shelving or cabinets that rarely get dusted. Do a quick pass to remove thick layers of dust. Start from the top and work your way down so you don’t have to reclean areas.
Then, make sure you are vacuuming or sweeping to remove any dust that has settled on the ground. There could be harmful substances in household dust that can cause health issues if you’re not careful. If you can, open the window or get an air purifier to help promote circulation within your space.
Steps to Identify and Clean the Source of Unpleasant Smells
Now that you know some common areas to explore in your home, let’s explore how to get rid of the smell so you can get back to enjoying your home free from nasty smells.
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- Locate the general vicinity that the smell is coming from. Start your search there, but know that the smell may be radiating out, so it may not be exactly where you think it is.
- Start in a single area and work up and outwards. Be methodical in your search, so start from the bottom of a space and work your way up. If you haven’t found it, move to the next quadrant of the room and repeat until you find the source.
- Throw the item out. Don’t just toss it in the trash. Instead, bring it outside to the dumpsters. That’s the best way to immediately get rid of the smell’s source.
- Assess the remaining surface. Surfaces can absorb smells, so you may want to sprinkle them with baking soda to help get rid of the smell. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before you vacuum it up.
- Sanitize where possible. A water and white vinegar mixture is a great all-purpose cleaner, and it has the added benefit of removing smells. You can even leave a small amount in a bowl to absorb smells, similar to baking soda.
Remember, just because you have thrown the item out doesn’t mean that the smell won’t linger. You have to clean to remove the smell, and resist the urge to simply mask it with an air freshener or a candle.
That may work in the short term, but the smell will likely come back worse once the temporary fix wears off. Many items like rugs, couches, and refrigerators absorb smells, so you will simply be adding another scent to the mix rather than getting rid of it.
When to Call in the Professionals
White Glove Cleaner has extensive experience cleaning in New York City. Whether you are looking for a deep clean, weekly maintenance, post-construction, or post-renovation cleanup, we have you covered.
Our team knows what it takes to get to the source of the smell without countless hours of searching. Contact us today to schedule your professional clean and experience the White Glove Cleaner way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to clean if I threw out the source of smell?
Yes! Surfaces often retain the smell even after the source is gone. Natural cleaners like baking soda and white vinegar are household essentials that are great at cutting bad smells.
Is bleach the best way to remove bad smells?
While bleach can be effective at removing smells, it is not the only option. Ecofriendly cleaners use natural ingredients to freshen your home without harsh chemicals.
Can professional cleaners help get rid of odors in the home?
Professional cleaners may be able to locate the source of the smell and remove it a part of deep cleaning, green cleaning, and regular cleaning.