Stale Smell in House After Being Away?

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10k+5.2 yrs OP
~ 18 hrs ago

Stale Smell in House After Being Away?
Okay. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to not have a stale smelling house after it is closed up for a few days while on vacation? I always pull the trash, wash dishes, mop floors, do laundry so that is very little dirty laundry when we leave. We don't smoke. And yet . . . here we are. . . with a house that smells sort of musty. I am currently burning a really nice candle to make things smell nice. Any ideas, anybody?

KathyMarshall reacted

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5k+7 yrs
~ 18 hrs ago

@RajunCajun :
I buy bags of potpourri at the dollar store. Simmer them in hot water on the stove. House will smell great in no time. I've also simmered cinnamon sticks in hot water….works great.

KathyMarshall and RajunCajun reacted

10k+5.2 yrs OP
~ 18 hrs ago

@CarolS :
I like the idea of cinnamon sticks. I'll try that. I've tried potpourri in the past, and it set my allergies on fire. Can the sticks be re-used? I'm guessing no. But I thought I'd ask just in case.

KathyMarshall reacted

5k+7 yrs
~ 18 hrs ago

@RajunCajun :
I don't reuse them, but not sure if anyone else does.

RajunCajun reacted

10k+5.2 yrs OP
~ 18 hrs ago

RajunCajun : I don't reuse them, but not sure if anyone else does. #msg2191086

@CarolS : Glad I asked. i will definitely try this.

1k+2028 yrs
~ 18 hrs ago

I love simmering whole cloves for a lengthy period when I'm home. To help maintain a continuous pleasant smell I place fragrant unburned candles in the top of closets, hidden behind stationary items on the kitchen countertops, and also behind furniture.

KathyMarshall and RajunCajun reacted

1k+15.8 yrs
~ 18 hrs ago

Cook some bacon or broccoli.

EddyFree, KathyMarshall and CarolS + 2 more reacted

10k+5.2 yrs OP
~ 18 hrs ago

Cook some bacon or broccoli. #msg2191092

@Boonie : Yeah. That would definitely do the trick. laugh

KathyMarshall and CarolS reacted

10k+5.2 yrs OP
~ 18 hrs ago

@susanbanthony :
That's a good idea. Have you ever tried the candle warmer things? I noticed that they were getting popular at Christmas-time last year. It is a lamp looking thing that heats the candle so that you get the scent but don't have to worry about actually lighting the candle. I have a friend who has one. She says it works well.

KathyMarshall reacted

25k+11.7 yrs
~ 17 hrs ago

*Edited

@RajunCajun :

I keep some reed diffusers in the house. Flip the reeds occasionally, about once every two months.

The best scent that always smells good is Thymes Fraser Fir. Even if out for a walk, I come in and place smells great.

When shut up for a weekend, I love walking in to a great smelling house.

EDIT TO ADD: Leave your ceiling fans on low while gone. That will help.

KathyMarshall, RajunCajun and Luckysis reacted

10k+5.2 yrs OP
~ 17 hrs ago

@Catmae :
Good idea. Never thought about the ceiling fans.

KathyMarshall and Catmae reacted

10k+5.2 yrs OP
~ 17 hrs ago

@Catmae :
What brand diffuser do you like? How long do the diffusers last? I had one years ago. I'm not sure why I gave up. Seems like it didn't last long and got expensive. But it has been so many years that I don't recall.

KathyMarshall and Catmae reacted

25k+11.7 yrs
~ 17 hrs ago

*Edited

Catmae : Good idea. Never thought about the ceiling fans. #msg2191114

@RajunCajun : You probably set your AC up high to save money while you're gone. Circulating the air in your house will help with the musty smell. I leave my fans on high. They don't use that much power.

KathyMarshall reacted

25k+11.7 yrs
~ 16 hrs ago

Catmae : What brand diffuser do you like? How long do the diffusers last? I had one years ago. I'm not sure why I gave up. Seems like it didn't last long and got expensive. But it has been so many years that I don't recall. #msg2191115

@RajunCajun : I buy Thymes brand everything, because I love the quality. The Fraser Fir is the longest-lasting scent, in my opinion. The oil usually lasts about three months. I buy from Thymes, and their stuff is on Amazon too.

KathyMarshall reacted

25k+7.4 yrs
~ 16 hrs ago

Probably the HVAC.

KathyMarshall reacted