Keeping an Empty House Smelling Fresh

[Deleted User]

Our old house has been empty for about 6 weeks now. It's going on the market soon. The trouble is, after being empty for a week or two we noticed it had a slight stuffy smell. If I go over and open all the windows for half an hour it smells nice and fresh again, but when you first go in it's not exactly welcoming.

I've tried using air freshners and odor removers but they result in a slightly worse smell - a combination of scent and 'lack of freshness'.

It's not a bad smell as such - but it's not fresh and welcoming. Is this normal in an empty house in winter, and is there anything that can be done? We may be leaving it for the EA to do all viewings which would mean I couldn't open up the windows in advance of viewings.

poppysarah

Is it bad or you just over-worrying?

Air fresheners make me worry about a property having something to hide.

BitterAndTwisted

It's most likely that the stuffy smell may be the carpeting: sprinkle baking soda on all carpets, leave it for 30-60 minutes and then vacuum. Come back 24 hours later and see if there's an improvement.

[Deleted User]

poppysarah, I could well be over-worrying. I wouldn't say it's a bad smell - more the case that it's not a nice welcoming smell. An empty house smell is the best way I can describe it - and I notice it the moment I open the front door. But I think I will avoid air freshners.

BitterAndTwisted - there are no carpets downstairs (vinyl and laminate) and that's where I notice the stuffy smell. But that's something I haven't considered - it doesn't smell upstairs. Downstairs has stone floors so I guess it could be very slightly damp? Although I've tried running a dehumidifier and it takes very little water out of the air. Maybe something to do with the warm air rising upstairs and providing more circulation up there?

It's a 10 year old house.

Blackpool_Saver

Why not go an hour early before viewings and air it out

jangor_2

This has been my concern as I am also selling an empty property. However I think there will always be a sense that an empty property has a slight odour but I doubt this will be noticeable to buyers. I make sure that I leave the toilet sprayed with some pleasant smelling toilet cleaner and I find that this permeates the house with just a hint of a pleasant smell, providing the loo isn't used or flushed of course!!

BitterAndTwisted

Baking soda will suck up odours like a sponge so I'd give it a try on your hard floors in any case. You could leave a few of bowls of the stuff on a couple of window-sills downstairs as well

[Deleted User]

I'll try the baking soda and a nice fresh smelling toilet cleaner. I'm hoping to not have to go over for viewings and might be leaving it for EA (we're about 25 miles away) but will do if necessary.

I'll let you know how the baking soda goes. Someone else mentioned vinagar but I wasn't keen on stinking the house out with vinagar.

clutton_2

if it smells a bit damp are you leaving the heating on ?

[Deleted User]

clutton, I don't *think* it's a damp smell. And as I said, I tried running a dehumidifier and when I went to the house a week later there was only a teacup full in it.

The heating has been on at about 15 degrees for a month! We're paranoid about frozen pipes given the cold spell we've had.

I've just realised - the upstairs windows are all left open just a crack (and locked in that position). It doesn't smell up there. I wouldn't fancy leaving the downstairs ones like that though as it would make it too easy for someone to prize them open. I think it is just stale air. I've got a air purifier (husband has allergies) and that would keep the air moving. But I think if I went into a house for sale and saw one of them I'd wonder what the sellers were trying to hide!

BitterAndTwisted

Vinegar might work. It does make everything smell like a pickle-factory until it's completely evaporated and then it's scentless.