How do you make sure your listing smells nice?

[Stephanie]

Hi everyone, 

The way a house smells when you first step in through the door might not be something everyone actively thinks about, but it is really important. Our sense of smell is often used as an indicator of how clean or welcoming a place is. 

There are many ways to make sure your listing smells inviting: whether it’s open windows, scented cleaning products, essential oil diffusers, air fresheners, candles, or natural things such as potpourri or plants.

We’d love to hear your tips: how do you make sure your listing smells nice for your guests?

Thanks, 

Stephanie

[Sharon1014]

We've had odd occasions when female guests absolutely smother themselves in some kind of very intense long lasting perfume that hangs around in the apartment for days, so now it's an auto given that we fresh air ventilate for as long as possible as soon as the guest leaves, spray/wipe all surfaces with nice smelling disinfectant, use lovely fresh smelling washing powder and fabric softener, then use a nice smelling 99.9% germ killing spray on all furniture and bedding.  After that we turn the ducted air con on and spray a fresh linen scent directly into the intake vent which circulates through the whole apartment.  All together, this little routine makes the whole place smell super clean and fresh, and totally eradicates any residual smells from previous guests.

[Hollie6]

Do you mind sharing what products you use? Especially linen spray.

[Sharon1014]

@Hollie6  Sure. 

We use Pine-o-clean Eucalyptus disinfectant (I keep a couple of big bottles and then decant into a spray bottle) for cleaning all hard surfaces, including benchtops, tables, chairs, floors, door handles, light switches, bedside tables, bed head boards etc and the whole bathroom (except shower screen).  It's an amazing instant de-greaser for stove tops and any floor grease or floor dirt as well.  Wipe down with paper towel to ensure hygiene or if using on floors a damp but not wet clean mop.  It's my go-to for everything.

We use Radiant powder for washing bed linen.  

Glen20 Country Scent anti-bacterial spray for the fabric furniture and also spray this on bed linen (especially pillow covers) for extra insurance.

Coles Fresh Linen scent spray for the a/c vent.

Not sure that you would have the exact same products in other countries.

[Stacey413]

I love your thorough cleaning, but even though I am not especially sensitive to smells, I would absolutely run from your listing knowing you spray and treat the bedding. This is overkill and make many wonder 1) have you actually cleaned the sheets and 2) what are you hiding with the scent. Just neutral clean please! I give people a scented candle in a fire-safe glass container if they want to add a bit of scent to their space. I use unscented febreze if someone leaves a cooking (or other) smell around 🙂 

[Sandra126]

I love it when I open the door at cleaning time to be met by the house smelling nice from great guests with good taste in bathroom products! Doesn't happen all the time, sometimes I am met by persistent cooking smells and then I have to air, air, air and air some more . 

[Kath9]

Fresh air and as much of it as possible! I keep doors and windows open all the time, weather permitting. I also use natural cleaning products that smell nice, and occasionally use a beautiful subtle incense or essential oil air freshener from a local company, Tinderbox, the scent of which everyone comments on.

[Sarah977]

@Kath9  I'm also lucky to live where the weather is such that doors and windows can just stay open all the time, except in the summer thunderstorms, and even then, many of the window and door placements are such that no rain gets in. Floors are tiled, no carpeting except for small throw rugs, no upholstered furniture, simple curtains and other fabric items that can be thrown in the wash. Smells don't linger at all. 

I'm a smoker, and while I never smoke inside when I have guests, I occasionally do when I'm alone here. But friends and family who are highly sensitive to cigarette smoke and totally hate it, have told me that there is no smoke smell in my house.

I had a guest who used a lot of essential oils. When she checked out, her room and bathroom smelled strongly of them. Didn't bother me- they were nice scents, but I was concerned they might bother the next guest. However, just the one day I had between bookings, with the room cleaned and the windows and door open, and there was no trace of them.

[Laura2592]

OH @Stephanie  you must have done this one just for me! We obsess about smells. I used to work for a perfumer and have a pretty particular sense of smell. It may be a superpower. Unfortunately, our cottage does not get fantastic ventilation so it can be a challenge. 

As we are a pet-friendly booking, the eau de wet dog can really linger. We minimize this by having as few soft surfaces that trap odors as possible. Hardwood, tile, and bamboo floors. Leather sofa that is easily cleaned. Blankets and bedding all washed between every guest including the "throws" that people wrap themselves up with when sitting outside or in.  We open windows for an "air out" when cleaning or prepping. 

We ask guests to limit frying and wipe down the area around the stove with cleaner and a vinegar mixture. Fridge gets a box of baking soda. Our well water can sometimes smell a little eggy when we do laundry so open windows when doing so. 

And though I know it is unpopular with some allergy sufferers, we do burn scented candles and use plug-in air fresheners from time to time. I have a friend with a very successful handmade soap and candle business who is constantly gifting us with both. They smell pretty yummy to me. Guests often ask where they can get their own. 

[Stephanie]

Ah I used to have that dog smell problem with Brandon, I know it well @Laura2592 !

My favourite smells are from clean clothes to be honest. I load up the drum with lovely smelling cleaning products and softeners and, weather permitting, dry it on the line. I don't believe there's anything bed than air dried bed sheets.

I love scented candles too (I was a shop assistant at Yankee Candle a lifetime ago and ended up with a big stash!) Even my husband loves coming in to a lit scented candle smell wafting through the house.

Thanks for sharing!

[Stacey413]

Candles I get (I'm a fan!), but plug-in air fresheners are the first thing I unplug if/when I find them in the places I stay! 

[Jessica994]

I tend to go allergen free and use air purifiers and dehumidifiers.  The most I will do is run my oil diffuser in a property but I use Ms Meyers cleaning products that help make the place feel fresh and clean.  I know that some fragrances trigger migraines which then trigger seizures in me and Im not the only one with sensitivity so I avoid using too much. My guests thank me.

[Sarah977]

Is "linen spray" some kind of British/Aussie thing? I grew up in the States, then lived in Canada for 40 years and I'd never heard of linen spray before I started reading these forums.

[Kevin1322]

yes, it sort of is. Brands like yankee Candle have a fresh cotton scent that is like air dried cotton on a washing line.  It was all the rage in the UK years back.  That's what we think of as the "linen" scent here. It's pretty harmless, inoffensive. and "clean" smelling.

[Sarah977]

@Kevin1322  I've seen a few hosts on this forum, on various threads about bedding, say they use a lavendar linen spray. The smell of lavendar is repulsive to me- I'd be one of those annoying fusspot guests who had to ask the host for unscented sheets :-)) But a scent that really smelled like air dried cotton would be okay.

[Kevin1322]

funny thing is I have friends who have a lavender business. I can't stand the smell of it either.  They grow acres of it, distill it, put it in cosmetics and household stuff. They sell plenty. They make it into diffusers and plug in air fresheners and spray bottles - all sorts. They make a good living.

Someone must like it. But it's not for me.

Definitely air dried cotton is the scent of the gods. Or cut grass.