Bad odors in an apartment can come from cooking, moisture, poor ventilation, garbage, drains, or pests. Whether you're dealing with stale air, musty smells, or persistent odors, this guide will help you eliminate bad smells and keep your apartment fresh.
Before removing odors, find out where they are coming from.
✔ Cooking odors – Strong spices, fried foods, and smoke.
✔ Garbage & rotten food – Trash cans and expired food in the fridge.
✔ Bathroom & drain smells – Mold, sewage, or clogged pipes.
✔ Musty or moldy odors – Damp walls, leaking pipes, and poor ventilation.
✔ Cigarette smoke – Lingering smoke in walls, carpets, and furniture.
Pro Tip: Follow the smell to locate the source before applying odor-removal solutions.
Fresh air is the fastest way to remove trapped odors.
✔ Open windows and doors to allow fresh air inside.
✔ Use fans or an air purifier to circulate clean air.
✔ Turn on exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
✔ Place bowls of baking soda or charcoal around the apartment to absorb odors.
Pro Tip: Keep windows open while cooking or cleaning to prevent smells from settling.
Cooking smells from spices, frying, and smoke can linger in the kitchen.
✔ Clean greasy surfaces with a mix of vinegar and warm water.
✔ Boil lemon peels or cinnamon in water to freshen the air.
✔ Take out trash daily and clean the trash bin with baking soda.
✔ Wipe down appliances (microwave, stove, fridge) with vinegar.
Pro Tip: Placing coffee grounds in the fridge helps absorb strong food odors.
Bathroom odors often come from blocked drains, mold, or poor ventilation.
✔ Pour baking soda & vinegar down drains to remove clogs.
✔ Scrub the toilet and sink with disinfectant weekly.
✔ Use air fresheners or essential oils to mask odors.
✔ Fix leaky pipes to prevent dampness and mold growth.
Pro Tip: Keep a small dish of charcoal in the bathroom to absorb smells naturally.
Moisture buildup from leaks, wet clothes, or humid weather can cause musty smells.
✔ Fix leaks or damp walls to prevent mold growth.
✔ Use a dehumidifier or fan to reduce indoor humidity.
✔ Wash curtains, carpets, and bedding regularly.
✔ Place charcoal or baking soda in damp areas to absorb moisture.
Pro Tip: If mold is visible on walls or ceilings, scrub with vinegar and let it dry completely.
Trash bins can hold rotting food, spills, and bacteria that cause bad smells.
✔ Empty the trash daily to avoid buildup.
✔ Wash the bin with vinegar & lemon to kill bacteria.
✔ Use scented trash bags or place dryer sheets at the bottom of the bin.
✔ Sprinkle baking soda in the trash can to absorb odors.
Pro Tip: If you live in a hot area, take out trash more frequently to prevent bad smells.
Smoke particles stick to walls, furniture, and fabrics, making the smell hard to remove.
✔ Wipe walls and furniture with a vinegar-water solution.
✔ Wash curtains, upholstery, and carpets to remove trapped smoke.
✔ Use activated charcoal bags to absorb lingering odors.
✔ Spray air fresheners or essential oils for a fresh scent.
Pro Tip: If the smoke smell is strong, repaint walls with an odor-blocking primer.
Soft surfaces like sofas, carpets, and mattresses can trap bad smells.
✔ Sprinkle baking soda on sofas, carpets, and mattresses, let it sit, then vacuum.
✔ Steam clean furniture for deep odor removal.
✔ Wash bedsheets, curtains, and pillowcases regularly.
✔ Hang cushions and rugs in sunlight to kill bacteria and remove odors.
Pro Tip: Lavender or eucalyptus essential oil sprays can keep fabrics smelling fresh.
Instead of artificial air fresheners, try natural solutions to remove smells.
✔ Baking Soda: Place small bowls around the apartment.
✔ Activated Charcoal: Absorbs strong odors from air and furniture.
✔ Lemon & Orange Peels: Boil in water for a natural fresh scent.
✔ Coffee Grounds: Works well in fridges and enclosed spaces.
Pro Tip: Replace baking soda or charcoal every few weeks for maximum effectiveness.
Once your apartment smells fresh, keep it odor-free with these daily habits.
✔ Keep windows open for fresh air.
✔ Wash dishes and clean surfaces to prevent food smells.
✔ Take out the trash regularly to avoid buildup.
✔ Use scented candles, incense, or essential oils for long-lasting freshness.
Pro Tip: A clean apartment is a fresh-smelling apartment—regular cleaning prevents bad odors from developing.
If you're looking for a clean and fresh-smelling apartment in Accra, Apartments.com.gh helps you:
✔ Find well-ventilated apartments with proper maintenance.
✔ Compare rental listings with modern kitchens and bathrooms.
✔ Connect directly with landlords who ensure clean living spaces.
Start your apartment search today at Apartments.com.gh.
Getting rid of bad smells in your apartment in Accra requires deep cleaning, ventilation, natural deodorizers, and odor prevention techniques. By following these steps, you can maintain a fresh and pleasant home environment.
Looking for a fresh-smelling apartment? Visit Apartments.com.gh today to explore listings in Accra.
