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Apartment Reset: Clean Living in NYC
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items ✨ Tiny apartment, big reset — these are the clean-living essentials that make my NYC space feel fresh, safe, and like a little sanctuary after the chaos of the day.
Sections
5
Air & Ambiance
Fresh Scents
Clean & Safe Surface Care
Tools & Textiles
Laundry & Fabrics
Air & Ambiance
Fresh air is a non-negotiable in NYC. These picks help clear out city grit and create a calmer, healthier space to breathe in.
For smaller spaces like my bedroom, this is perfect. I love adding a few drops of essential oil to the aroma pad — makes bedtime feel like a spa moment, even when sirens are going off outside.
Levoit Core® Mini-P Air Purifier
Warm glow = instant cozy vibes. Perfect for a rainy NYC evening.
Himalayan Salt Lamps | Various Designs & Features
Living in NYC means dust and who-knows-what floating in the air. This purifier gives me peace of mind because I can literally see the air quality improve on its display. It’s like the city disappears a little when I’m inside.
Air Purifiers with HEPA Filtration - Shark® Clean
Fresh Scents
Candles, diffusers, and mood-setters that make my apartment feel like a boutique hotel instead of a walk-up. A little scent can completely reset the vibe.
Sleek enough to double as decor and fills my space with gentle fragrance. It feels like a boutique hotel lobby vibe every time I turn it on.
Glow Diffuser
The ultimate “set it and forget it” diffuser. I schedule mine so my apartment smells amazing right when I walk in after work — instant reset.
Home Scent Diffuser with Smart Home Technology: Pura 4 Diffuser
Clean-burning, locally made in NYC, and the scents are gorgeous without being overwhelming. “Santorini” is my personal favorite for a little escape.
Brooklyn Candle Studio
My go-to for the diffuser. Eucalyptus feels like a spa day; lavender calms me down before bed.
Essential Oils
The clean, citrusy scent is classic NYC — chic, uplifting, and no flames required.
Reed Diffusers & Refill | NEST New York
Non-toxic, soy-based candles that look modern and photograph beautifully. Great for gifting, too.
White Barn
cool packaging and gender-neutral scents that make my apartment smell expensive.
Our Scented Candles Collection: Full-Bodied Scent
I love this one for when I’m working in different corners of my apartment. No outlet? No problem.
Move Diffuser
Clean, modern packaging, and scents that feel more spa than dorm room.
3.38 fl oz Clarity Room Spray - Casaluna™: Essential Oil Blend, Non-Toxic, Air ...
Clean-burning, modern packaging, and scents that feel more spa than dorm room.
4-Wick Clarity Fashion Salted Glass Wellness Jar Candle White 30oz
Chic ceramic design that looks like decor, not a gadget. Pairs perfectly with clean essential oils.
Electronic Essential Oil Diffuser - Black
Clean & Safe Surface Care
Products that actually work on subway dust, city mess, and pet fur — without loading my home with harsh chemicals. Clean, safe, and stress-free.
My holy grail for small-space living. One bottle makes all your cleaners — kitchen, bathroom, even laundry. Safe, non-toxic, and no plastic clutter under the sink.
Branch Basics
My everyday wipe-down spray. Plant-based and I can trust it on my counters where I cook.
Disinfectants
Cleaning doesn’t feel like a chore with this one. The lemon verbena scent is so uplifting — my whole apartment feels brighter when I use it.
Mrs. Meyer's Household Cleaning Products
Just drop tablets into water, and you’ve got a cleaner — plus the reusable glass bottles look chic on my counter.
Eco-Friendly Multi-Surface Cleaner Spray
Zero streaks on mirrors and windows, and no toxic fumes.
Glass Cleaner Concentrate – Streak-Free Shine Without Harsh Chemicals
This bottle does it all — dishes, mopping, counters, even laundry in a pinch. A minimalist’s dream.
Our Best Baby Soap - Unscented Baby Wash w/Organic Ingredients
A trusted clean without chlorine bleach smell. Gets rid of NYC grime without triggering sensitivities.
Clorox™ Free & Clear Multi-Surface Cleaner Spray
A Target fave that feels clean, not chemical.
All-Purpose Cleaner, Lime + Sea Salt, 28 fl oz
Tools & Textiles
Small-apartment must-haves: reusable, space-saving, and chic tools that make cleaning less of a hassle and way more eco-friendly.
I swapped these in for paper towels, and I’ll never go back. They’re absorbent, reusable, and save me so much storage space.
Skoy Cloth 4-pack Swedish Dishcloths
Small but mighty — it deep-cleans with just water. I use it on my bathroom tiles and kitchen counters when I want everything sanitized without harsh chemicals.
Steam Mops & Steam Cleaners
It makes mopping almost fun (and manageable in a walk-up apartment). The wringer means no sloshing dirty water.
Multi-Surface Mop: Perfect for Every Floor Type
City living = smells fast. This keeps compost tidy and odor-free, without attracting pests.
Full Circle Fresh Air 1.5 Gallon Odor-Free Countertop Compost Bin
Laundry & Fabrics
NYC laundry day = lugging bags down the block. These finds make the process simpler, gentler on clothes, and more sustainable at the same time.
No giant plastic jugs taking up cabinet space — just compact pods that are clean, fragrance-free, and safe for sensitive skin.
Stain and Odor Removal
NYC = dry cleaning bills. This kit saves me trips and money while keeping my fabrics fresh.
Woolite At Home Dry Cleaner Cloths, 20 Minute Fresh Scent, Wrinkle Remover ...
No dryer sheets, no waste. I add a drop of essential oil for a fresh, chemical-free scent.
100% New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls - 3ct - Everspring