How do I make my house smell good?

[Anonymous]

So we recently moved to DC. The previous owner lived in our house for 60 years (raised her family and then lived alone) and the house was vacant for more than a year when we moved in. Right now it smells kind of dank - a little bit like construction materials (we've been rehabbing) and a little bit like a house that was empty for more than a year (think "slighty damp" - not offensive, but not warm and inviting).

How can I make this place smell like home? What is your favorite air freshener (and please don't say Glade, or Lysol, or anything I can buy at the supermarket - I hate those waxy cleaner smells.)?

We've been cleaning and cleaning (and cooking!), but it just doesn't smell terrific yet. Any suggestions??

[Anonymous]

I suggest getting some of those Damp Rids and sticking them in corners, closets, etc. They will absorb any extra moisture in the house and get rid of the damp smell.

Also burn some yummy candles--we love the Yankee candles because they really fill the room with their great scents.

[Anonymous]

My first thought was using a dehumidifier.

[Anonymous]

Yeah...all the way with the PP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first thought was using a dehumidifier.

Me too.
Moisture in the air tends to hold odors.

[Anonymous]

In addition to all your cleaning, which is probably quite necessary...

Step 1: Dehumidifier
Step 2: Keep all your windows open, weather permitting
Step 3: Vinegar and baking soda - really absorb and kill odors on hard surfaces. If you have carpet, it will need professional cleaning or ripping up.
Step 4: One very good quality candle per floor. Not Yankee candle. They are sickly sweet. Think of walking into a really nice boutique. They often have 1 expensive candle burning. Sold at Blue Mercury, Barney's COOP, many boutiques. In addition to burning away bad odors, they add a nice smell.

[Anonymous]

I second the vinegar suggestion, particularly if you have wood floors.

You can also leave little bowls of vinegar out in strategic locations and they will help absorb the odor.

[Anonymous]

Before I lived in DC, I found some herbal candles in a little shop that came in lavender, rosemary, or sage. They were so wonderful. Maybe you could find something similar the shops just mentioned, but it was such a fresh, clean , not perfumey scent.

Bake some bread.

[Anonymous]

Also get rid of all old curtains.
Let the sun in...and the Frabric air spray seem to work wonders.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Actually if you pick the right scents, the Yankee candles aren't all sickly sweet. If they're still available, I love their Aloe Vera scent.

[Anonymous]

You definitely have to do all the stuff mentioned by PPs-- get rid of carpet, curtains, etc, and run at least one (preferably one per floor) high-capacity dehumidifier. Fair warning, they're pricey. (I think I spent around $200 on ours, but it's lasted for over two years now, and makes a real difference in our basement.)

But I wanted to say that Williams Sonoma has lovely scented candles, citrus and herbs and such. I also find the Febreze candles to work rather well for a one-time smell, like when someone forgets to take the garbage out. I don't think they could compete with overall mustiness.

[Anonymous]

Boil cinnamon sticks and cloves in water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boil cinnamon sticks and cloves in water.

And orange peel.

[Anonymous]

Seda Francve makes the most amazing fragrance I have ever smelled and everyone who smells it agrees - its Called Japanese Qunice, you can get the candles at Amano in Georgetown or on line (try Amazon) for the room spray, and stick diffusers. Its absolutely the best ever!!! I always give a candle as a hostess gift ansd everybody loves them!!