Need things to make the room smell better.

aliasojo

The whole house smells a bit musty, it's old and not overly cared for. I think the smell stems from the old wood as well as the old carpets etc.

Most of the rooms we are in and out of all day so the smells are lessened but one room in particular isn't used quite as much so the smell is more noticeable when you do go in there.

I don't want to use candles in this room, and I don't think those plug-in air fresheners are the answer either, purely from a safety aspect. So what can I use that is strong enough to actually make a difference in a fair sized room?

The whole house would have to be gutted in order to completely get rid of the smell and since it's only a short term rental I wont be doing that but I do need to try to mask it at least.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Tom_Jones

Get rid of the husband, my house smells a whole lot better when i leave :D

Leif

I am not keen on many air fresheners, too many noxious chemicals. There are though some natural ones that smell nice.

There are also aromatic oils, such as patchouli, that can mask smells. But you'll smell like a hippy. Alternatively, incense sticks such as sandalwood are nice. That will also make you smell like a hippy.

I heard that when there are tobacco smells in a car, an open bowl of vinegar will cure it. I don't know if this works, but the source is kosher, so I suspect it does. You could try that in the house. Sainsbury's basics vinegar costs pennies.

You have tried airing the rooms? lack of air flow could be the cause. Damp builds up and wham, it smells. Do you dry laundry indoors? Do you have a bathroom without an extractor fan? Do you use an extractor fan in the kitchen?

whichwhydoIturn

My cupboard under the stairs smells a bit musty, i generally just leave the window slighty open in all weathers when i am home, also, i wipe the shelves in there with a damp cloth with a bit of fabric softener on it .maybe put a dab of pefume on a cold heater and as it warms up, the room may take on the smell?

aliasojo

Leif wrote: »

You have tried airing the rooms? lack of air flow could be the cause. Damp builds up and wham, it smells. Do you dry laundry indoors? Do you have a bathroom without an extractor fan? Do you use an extractor fan in the kitchen?

I'll try the vinegar thing, thanks.

The fabric of the house smells, it's not as simple as airing it. It needs gutting and refurbing.

aliasojo

Carpets have been cleaned already.

It's not a damp musty smell, it's an 'old' musty smell.

beanymagoo

sounds mad but try shampooing the carpets with bleach. Do a test area first to make sure its not going to stain/mark the carpets which it shouldnt if you use a cheap bleach. If you were staying for a while longer then lift the carpets and clean the floorboards with bleach as well, let it dry out and then relay the carpet. Open the windows for as long as you can stand the chill each day and I would also recomend the vinegar as well. Good luck with getting rid of the smell!

sooz

I find the air wick crystal things have the longest & strongest smell. Not great, but better than the smell you are trying to cover up

last a long time & don't need plugging in. Don't look too ugly either. Hard to find recently as they are pushung air sprays that look like stones, or spray at you, or 15 different fragrances that alternate from your plugs!

MissGivings_2

sprinkle baking soda liberally on the carpets and leave them while you liberally sit down for a rest. Hoover up and hey presto! Freshness.

mildred1978

My husband gave some friends a lift with their very wet dogs a couple of weeks ago. Car smelt awful when he got back. I stuck a bowl of bicarbonate with a few drips of Rose oil in it overnight and it got rid of the smell beautifully.

KateLiana27

When we moved into our new house, one room had a persistent musty smell. Cleaning etc didn't work. We got rid of the carpet and the curtains (which we had planned to do anyway) and the smell disappeared. It must have been lingering in there. I'm not sure if this will work for you, but I definitely prefer the idea of the smell being gone rather than just masked under a floral haze of chemicals