20-Second DIY Tricks That’ll Get Rid of the Musty Smell in Your House

Whether you’re hosting a sit-down holiday dinner or having a few friends over for a movie night, it’s easy to spend time and effort on the things that your guests won’t remember, like dusty bookshelves, while forgetting about the things they actually will, such as the stale smell in your home. This is definitely a risk in those cold dark days of winter where you’re not opening your windows as often — but it doesn’t have to be. 

Even if you don’t have a lot of time on hand, you can still get your home smelling good and eliminating any lingering stink in seconds. Below, real estate pros share their tried-and-true hacks for freshening up homes before potential buyers walk in the door.

Unsurprisingly, candles are a popular way to quickly get rid of any unpleasant smells. However, according to Steph Mahon, a real estate expert who owns Dwell New Jersey, the type of candle you use is of the utmost importance. “Choose candles made with quality wax and plenty of fragrance oil. Those are the candles that actually scent the whole room, not just the corner they’re sitting in,” she explains. She swears by the Malin & Goetz Otto candle, which “smells like a fresh, bright spring day,” while the brand’s Dark Rum and Leather brings “that cozy, winter-evening vibe that feels straight out of a boutique hotel.”

Location is also important, as is making sure you don’t have too many different scents going on at one time. Vicky Silvano, president of Real Broker and part of the board of directors for the Chicago Association of Realtors, suggests putting between “two or three candles around the house in hallways, basements, or other walled-off areas that can get so stuffy.”

Homes can smell stale in the winter due to a lack of ventilation, poor air circulation, and increased moisture from cooking. While it’s tempting to preserve as much warmth as possible, cracking a window or door open is one of the quickest and most effective ways to give your home a refresh before your guests arrive. “A solid few minutes of airflow can transform a room faster than any dehumidifier. It not only moves the old air out, but [also] brings that crisp, invigorating energy in,” Mahon says. 

While popping some cookies in the oven is a popular real estate agent hack for showings, Silvano says it’s common to mimic the same scent without the mess by putting a couple tablespoons of vanilla extract in a baking dish and popping it in the oven on the lowest temperature. However, if you have time, you can kill two birds with one stone by whipping up some banana bread or cookies before your guests arrive. You’ll have the inviting smell as well as a sweet treat waiting for them.

Silvano says she swears by putting bowls of potpourri — a mixture of scented dried petals and spices — in high-traffic areas as well as rooms that are more likely to have some odors. You can purchase them online, or even make non-scented natural versions that neutralize odors with baking soda or sachets of activated charcoal. The porous surface traps odor molecules, making activated charcoal a great stink-eliminator for putting at the bottom of trash cans and diaper pails, near litter boxes, or in fridges. 

This one is a little less last-minute, but if you have the time, it’s best to attack the source of the stink. If your home smells stale or there are lingering cooking or pets scents clinging to your couch or rugs, Mahon says doing a quick steam-clean can have a big payoff.“Mustiness likes to hide in soft surfaces like carpets, curtains, and throw pillows,” she says. “Hit them with a high-heat steamer to loosen lingering odors and give the room an instant refresh.” 

For additional natural deodorizing effects, you can sprinkle baking soda on your carpet or rug and give it a quick vacuum (this also can remove moisture and light stains). 

One of the most common home smell offenders greets your guests when they walk in your front door. “Most of the time when you walk into a house, you’ll see a lot of shoes by the door,” Silvano explains. She suggests spraying them (she swears by equal parts vinegar and water spray for most deodorizing tasks around the house), and moving them away from the front door to get rid of visual clutter. Once they dry, the shoes’ odor will dissipate, as will the smell of vinegar. 

To instantly freshen up your kitchen, target your garbage disposal, which is one common source of bad food odors. If your disposal is smelling funky, run lemons or just the lemon rinds through them to disperse a fresh citrus scent throughout your kitchen. Silvano says that a mixture of water and vinegar can also quickly get rid of any lingering rotting smells while also disinfecting your appliance.

Once you’re done prepping your snacks and drinks for your hosting event, don’t forget to take out your trash, as discarded food can quickly start stinking up the surrounding area. Silvano says one of the easiest ways to make your kitchen smell better is by swapping in a clean plastic trash bag once your guests arrive. However, it’s well worth it to take the extra step to spray down your trash container with a cleaning solution and put some baking soda at the bottom of your receptacle to get rid of any germs and lasting odors when your guests open the can.

Take a leaf from Williams Sonoma’s handbook and invite your guests in with a fragrant and immersive olfactory experience, courtesy of a gently simmering pot on the stove. Silvano suggests simmering a mix of orange slices, orange peels, and cinnamon sticks to make your whole home “smell like Christmas” without being overpowering or cloying. However, you can also add spices like rosemary or vanilla extract if you want to emulate a fresh clean scent with Williams Sonoma’s exact recipe, or opt for a more festive blend with cranberries and mulling spices.