The fastest way to improve apartment smell is to remove the source, then add fresh air and a scent you control
Most apartment odours come from three places: things that are rotting or mouldy, things that are wet or damp, or cooking and pet smells that have settled into fabric. You cannot mask a mould problem with air freshener — you have to fix it first. Once the source is gone, open windows, use a fan, and then choose a scent method that your lease allows. Many apartments restrict candles and plug-in air fresheners because they can damage walls or trigger smoke alarms, so check your lease or ask your landlord before you buy anything.
The order matters: fix the problem, get air moving, then add scent. Skipping the first step wastes money and can make things worse.
Key Takeaways
- Identify whether the smell comes from mould, dampness, cooking, pets, or trash — each needs a different fix before scent will help.
- Open windows and run a fan for at least 15 minutes daily to move stale air out; this alone solves many apartment smell problems.
- Check your lease before using candles, plug-in diffusers, or spray air fresheners, because many apartments ban them or restrict where you can use them.
- Baking soda, vinegar, and activated charcoal absorb odours without adding scent and do not violate most lease terms.
- If the smell is mould or comes from the building itself, contact your landlord in writing — you may have a right to repairs under housing law.
Identify what is actually causing the smell
Before you buy anything, spend a day noticing where the smell is strongest. Is it in the kitchen, the bathroom, near the trash, or everywhere? Does it smell like mould (musty, earthy), wet carpet (sour), cooking (grease, spices), pets (urine, wet fur), or something else?
Mould and dampness require landlord action. If you smell mould in a corner, under the sink, or in the bathroom, take a photo and email your landlord describing the location and the smell. Do not try to cover it with scent. Mould can damage your health and the building, and in most places your landlord is legally required to fix it. If your bathroom or kitchen stays damp no matter what you do, that is also a landlord issue — it usually means ventilation is broken or there is a leak.
Cooking and pet smells, trash, and general staleness are things you can control yourself.
Get air moving through the apartment
Open your windows for at least 15 minutes every morning, even in winter. If it is cold, crack them just enough to let air flow — you do not need to heat the whole neighbourhood. Run a fan pointing out a window if you have one, or just let the cross-breeze do the work. This is the single most effective thing you can do and it costs nothing.
If you cannot open windows (sealed windows, very cold climate, or air quality outside is poor), run a fan in the room where the smell is strongest, pointing toward a door or hallway. This moves the air around instead of letting it sit. A box fan in a window frame, if your lease allows it, pulls stale air out and fresh air in.
Do this every day, not just when guests are coming. Apartments hold smell because air does not move naturally — you have to force it.
Remove or reduce the source of the smell
Take out the trash every two to three days, even if it is not full. Tie the bag closed. If you have a trash chute, use it. If you store trash in a cabinet under the sink, wipe down the cabinet with a cloth dampened in vinegar once a week.
For cooking smells, boil a small pot of water with lemon slices or a cinnamon stick while you cook, or right after. Open the kitchen window and run the exhaust fan (if you have one) the whole time you are cooking and for 10 minutes after. Grease from cooking sticks to walls and fabric, so ventilation while cooking stops the smell from settling in the first place.
For pet smells, wash pet bedding weekly, vacuum or sweep where your pet spends time, and use an enzymatic cleaner (not vinegar or bleach) on any spot where your pet has had an accident. Enzymatic cleaners break down the compounds that cause the smell, rather than just covering it. Baking soda sprinkled on carpet or furniture, left for 30 minutes, then vacuumed up also helps.
Absorb odours without adding scent
Baking soda is the safest option because it absorbs smell without adding a new one, and it does not violate any lease. Put an open box in the fridge, under the sink, in the bathroom, or in any room that smells stale. Replace it every month. You can also sprinkle it on carpet, let it sit for 30 minutes, and vacuum it up.
Activated charcoal works the same way — it absorbs odours and lasts longer than baking soda (usually two to three months). You can buy small bags or pouches and place them in problem areas. Like baking soda, it adds no scent of its own.
White vinegar in a small bowl (not sprayed) also absorbs smell, though the vinegar smell itself is strong for the first hour. Some people prefer to simmer vinegar on the stove for 10 minutes with water and lemon, which neutralises the vinegar smell while still cleaning the air.
Choose a scent method that your lease allows
Before you buy candles, plug-in diffusers, or spray air fresheners, read your lease or call your landlord. Many apartments ban real candles because they can damage walls, trigger smoke alarms, or cause fires. Some allow battery-operated candles or wax melts instead. Plug-in diffusers are often restricted because they can stain walls or leave residue.
If your lease does not mention scent, ask your landlord in writing (email is fine) whether you can use candles, diffusers, or sprays. This protects you — if something goes wrong, you have permission on record.
Safe options that most leases allow: fresh flowers, a bowl of dried lavender or potpourri, or a sachet tucked in a closet. These add scent without electricity, flame, or chemicals. You can also simmer water with lemon, cinnamon, or vanilla extract on the stove for 15 minutes — it scents the air naturally and costs almost nothing.
When to contact your landlord about persistent smells
If the smell comes from mould, dampness, or a source you cannot find (like a smell coming through the walls or vents), contact your landlord in writing. Email is best because it creates a record. Describe the smell, where it is strongest, when you first noticed it, and what you have already tried.
In most places, landlords are required to maintain apartments in a condition that does not pose a health or safety risk. Mould, water damage, and pest problems all fall under this. If your landlord does not respond within a reasonable time (usually 7 to 14 days, depending on your state), you may have the right to repair it yourself and deduct the cost from rent, or to break your lease. The exact rules vary by location, so check your state or local housing authority website if your landlord ignores you.
Do not assume a smell is your fault. If it is coming from the building's plumbing, ventilation, or structure, it is your landlord's responsibility to fix it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use scented candles if my lease does not mention them?
Not without asking first. Many leases ban candles even if they do not explicitly say so, because landlords assume tenants know the fire risk. Email your landlord and ask. If they say yes, keep the candle away from curtains and never leave it burning when you leave the apartment.
Will vinegar or baking soda damage my apartment?
No. Both are safe to use on most surfaces. Baking soda can be vacuumed up, and vinegar evaporates. Neither stains walls or leaves residue. If you have hardwood floors, do not pour vinegar directly on them — use a damp cloth instead.
What if the smell is coming from my neighbour's apartment?
If you smell cooking, pets, or smoke coming through the walls or vents, contact your landlord in writing. Describe when the smell is strongest and which wall or vent it comes from. Your landlord can ask the neighbour to improve ventilation or address the source. If the smell is from mould or a building problem, your landlord must fix it.
How long does it take for an apartment to stop smelling?
If you open windows daily and remove the source, most cooking and pet smells fade within a few days to a week. Stale air smell improves within hours of opening windows. Mould and dampness smell requires the landlord to fix the underlying problem, which can take weeks.
Is it okay to use air freshener spray if I open the windows?
Check your lease first. If it allows spray air fresheners, use them sparingly — they can stain walls over time. Open windows while you spray and for 15 minutes after. Better options are baking soda, activated charcoal, or simmering water with lemon, which do not leave residue and do not violate leases.