Does your holiday home smell stuffy? It costs you stars in the reviews

A guest forms their first impression before their eyes have even adjusted to the light. They open the door and breathe in. If the air is fresh, they relax. If a stuffy, slightly damp smell meets them, the mood is set, no matter how clean the house otherwise is. Smell is the most overlooked factor in a rental, and it ends up directly in the review, where words like stuffy and damp cost stars and put off the next guest.

Why smell matters so much

Our sense of smell is closely tied to emotion and memory. A fresh scent signals clean and safe, while a musty smell signals neglected, even if the surfaces are spotless. In a holiday home that stands empty between guests and sits close to the sea, damp is a constant challenge, and damp is the most common source of that stuffy feeling. In low-lying coastal spots like Søndervig, Lønne and Nymindegab, where the air carries moisture off the fjord and the dunes, this is something we watch for on every visit, not just in autumn.

The typical causes

• The fridge. A closed fridge left without power between guests quickly develops a sour smell. If there is forgotten food inside, it gets worse.
• Drains and traps. When the water trap in a rarely used drain dries out, sewer smell rises into the room. It often hits utility rooms and guest bathrooms.
• Textiles. Cushions, rugs, curtains and mattresses absorb damp and odour and slowly release it again in a closed house.
• Damp and lack of airing. A house that is not aired builds up damp in walls and furnishings, especially after rain on the West Coast.

The fixes that work

The good news is that a stuffy smell can almost always be solved, and that it is about sources, not about masking with scent spray. Air thoroughly at every changeover, ideally with a through draught for ten to fifteen minutes. Keep the fridge open and clean between guests, or place an open box of baking soda inside. Flush rarely used drains so the water trap fills again. Wash or replace textiles that have absorbed odour, and consider a dehumidifier in houses that stand empty for longer periods. Finally, a light, neutral scent, not a heavy perfume, which can itself feel like you are hiding something.

The link to reviews

The first impression is built in seconds and lasts the whole stay. A house that smells clean makes the guest overlook a small blemish, while a house that smells makes them look for more faults. Since cleanliness and smell are among the most frequently mentioned points in reviews of holiday homes and Airbnbs, fresh indoor air is one of the cheapest investments you can make in your ratings.

We clean holiday homes all along the coast, including in Hvide Sande, Henne Strand, Nymindegab and Blåvand, where damp from the sea makes airing and odour control a fixed part of the changeover.

Preventing smell over the long term

Solving a smell once is good, but stopping it from returning is better, and that is mostly about moisture management. A house that breathes does not go musty. Where possible, leave interior doors open between stays so air can move, and make sure any mechanical ventilation is clean and actually running. In the off-season, a small dehumidifier or simple moisture absorbers in cupboards and bathrooms keep the air below the level where mould and that damp smell take hold. Pay attention to soft furnishings, which are the most stubborn carriers: a mattress protector that can be washed, curtains that get an occasional clean, and rugs that are aired outside on a dry day all make a real difference. These habits cost almost nothing and quietly protect both the house and your reviews, season after season in coastal towns like Nymindegab and Blåvand where the sea air never lets up.

Let us keep the house fresh

We are a fixed 2-person team based in Bork, and at every changeover clean we make sure to air the house, clear the drains, freshen the fridge and leave a neutral, clean scent. If you want to be sure your guests are met by fresh air instead of a stuffy smell, send us the address and your changeover days and get a fast quote.