How to Remove Strong Odors from a Crime Scene in Detroit

After a crime scene, it’s not just the mess that sticks around. One of the hardest parts to deal with is the strong odor that often lingers long after everything looks cleared away. That smell can settle deep into the building, making it hard for families and property owners in Detroit to feel comfortable using the space again.

Odor removal in Detroit can get tricky during the winter months. Windows stay shut, fresh air doesn’t move freely, and the cold helps trap smells inside. Regular cleaning can’t reach everything that causes the odor, especially when the source involves biohazards like blood or waste. And when something that serious is behind the smell, it takes the right kind of process to get the space truly clean and safe again. In Metro Detroit, we provide 24/7 certified odor and biohazard cleanup so crime scene odors can be handled quickly, discreetly, and in full compliance with safety regulations.

What Causes Odors After a Crime Scene

Certain smells don’t go away easily because they come from things that seep into materials and stay there. When a crime scene involves a serious injury or death, there’s often leftover blood, body fluids, or tissue. These carry organic material that breaks down over time and creates gases with a strong, often unpleasant odor.

These are a few reasons the smell hangs on, even after a space looks picked up:

• Blood and fluids soak into carpeting, grout, drywall, subfloors, and upholstery

• Hidden materials may remain beneath floorboards or behind furniture

• The breakdown of fluids releases gases that carry a distinct, hard-to-mask smell

In colder months, things don’t get better, they get harder. In Detroit winters, homes and buildings are kept closed to keep out the cold. That means there's little airflow to carry smells away. Trapped odors settle deep into every surface, and without proper removal, they linger for months.

Where Odors Hide Inside the Home

It’s not always easy to tell where the smell is coming from. Even when a room looks clean, the odor might still be stuck in places that are hard to access. Surfaces don’t need to be visibly stained for them to hold onto smells.

We often find strong odors in the following hidden areas:

• Under carpet padding or wooden floorboards

• Inside insulation behind walls

• Inside HVAC ductwork, which can push smell into every room

• On porous surfaces like unfinished wood, cement, or unsealed drywall

The smell spreads fast and sticks around because it attaches to both soft and hard surfaces. If we try to fix it by just opening a window or lighting a candle, it might help for a moment, but the smell will come back as soon as the air shifts or the house heats up again.

Why Store-Bought Cleaners Won’t Solve the Problem

Many people try to fix crime scene odors with air fresheners or powerful sprays. Those might mask the problem, but they don’t actually clean anything. Cheap sprays or scented candles only hide what your nose is picking up. In some cases, they can even cause irritation without offering real relief.

Here’s why standard store cleaners won’t work:

• They only treat surfaces and do not clean deep into porous materials

• Most products are not meant for biohazard-level cleanup

• Covering up the smell doesn’t stop bacteria or organic breakdown underneath

Regular cleaning supplies aren’t strong enough for what’s left after a trauma. In fact, if cleaning tools aren’t handled safely, the smell may actually spread more. If contaminated areas are disturbed but not handled properly, it can release more odor or let bacteria reach new areas.

How Professionals Handle Odor Removal in Detroit

Handling odor correctly means going past appearances and getting to where the smell source actually lives. In a cold-weather city like Detroit, special care is needed. Our technicians are certified Odor Control Technicians and Trauma and Crime Scene Technicians through the IICRC, combining specialized odor training with real hazmat credentials for difficult crime scene situations. Odors trapped during winter can get worse fast, especially since windows stay shut and heating systems can carry smells from one room to another.

We use a process that targets both the smell and its source. That means tools and methods made for deep cleaning and safety, like:

• HEPA filter systems to remove tiny particles from the air

• Special decontamination sprays rated for biohazard use

At Hazwash LLC, these tools are part of a multi-stage odor reset that removes contamination and then uses advanced oxidizing treatments to eliminate smells at the chemical and microbial level instead of just covering them up.

We also have to stay aware of safety laws and best practices. That means using full protective gear, following cleanup rules that keep everyone safe, and doing a full check for hidden spots like vents or closet corners. At Hazwash LLC, we are fully licensed with U.S. DOT hazmat and Motor Carrier authority to package and transport contaminated materials off-site, so Detroit property owners are protected from fines and liability tied to improper disposal.

During winter, we’re extra careful about indoor spaces. With dry air and closed windows, smells from biohazards can feel even stronger. That’s why a surface wipe isn’t enough. It takes proper odor removal, all the way through the structure.

Clean Air, Peace of Mind: Why Proper Removal Matters

Lingering smells are more than just uncomfortable. In many cases, they’re your first warning that something below the surface hasn’t been taken care of properly. When those smells come from a crime scene, the risks go beyond unpleasant air, they may mean leftover fluids or waste haven’t been fully removed.

Without the right cleanup, trapped biohazards can grow bacteria, damage a property, and cause health issues over time. Smells can stick to clothes, circulate through the heat vents, and make it hard to use the space safely or peacefully again. Additionally, many homeowners are unaware they can face 5-figure fines if they hire a company that is not properly licensed and trained for biohazard remediation—such as a general cleaning, fire/mold/water restoration company that "adds on" biohazards, junk haulers, or carpet cleaners.

When a home or building starts to smell clean again, you can feel the difference right away. The space feels safer, the air feels lighter, and there’s room to focus on what matters most. That’s why we take odor removal seriously, especially when winter in Detroit makes everything feel like it just hangs in the air. With the right cleanup, comfort can return, and stay.

Strong smells making a space feel uncomfortable months after a traumatic event may indicate that the real source of the odor hasn't been fully removed. Winter air in Detroit doesn't move much, so smells from deep inside walls or floors tend to stick around. That's why we always take the time to dig into every layer when handling something as serious as odor removal in Detroit. Clean air should be something you can count on, not something you have to hope for. If you're dealing with smells that just won't go away, contact Hazwash LLC to take the next step.