Once the clocks go back, we spend more time indoors. The windows stay shut, coats dry on the radiators, the oven gets more use and everyone ends up on the sofa. That's all part of winter, but it can leave the house smelling a bit stale by December. A few good habits and the right scents will fix most of it and keep your home smelling fresh until Christmas and beyond.
Why homes smell stuffy in winter
In summer, open windows do a lot of the work. In winter we keep the warmth in, and the everyday smells stay in with it: cooking, damp washing, pets and stale air. Moisture from showers, kettles and drying clothes adds a musty note to cupboards and soft furnishings. Deal with the source first, then add a fragrance you like, because perfume on its own only covers a smell for a while.
Step 1: Let the fresh air in (yes, even in winter)
Open a couple of windows for 10 minutes each morning, on opposite sides of the house if you can, so air moves through. This clears stale air and moisture quickly, and the rooms warm up again soon after. Run the extractor fan while you cook or shower, and wipe the condensation off the windows first thing.
Step 2: Clean the surfaces that hold on to smells
Worktops, the hob, the bin and the bathroom all get more use in winter. Wipe them with a cleaner that leaves a cosy scent behind, such as our Multi-Purpose Antibacterial Spray in Iced Gingerbread. For floors and bigger jobs, use the Concentrated Antibacterial Disinfectant in Iced Gingerbread, following the directions on the label.
Step 3: Freshen soft furnishings
Sofas, curtains, cushions and rugs hold on to winter smells. Vacuum them, then mist lightly with a fabric freshener. Cosy Cashmere and Marshmallow Melt both suit a cosy night in. Check the care label and patch test somewhere hidden first. Our guide to the best fabric fresheners for sofas and soft furnishings has more on choosing one.
Step 4: Keep laundry smelling fresh, not damp
Drying clothes indoors is a common cause of a musty smell in winter. Spread the washing out so air can get round it, dry it as fast as you can, and leave the window open a crack in that room. A few drops of Laundry Perfume in Winter Angel or an in-wash fragrance boost in the wash helps it smell nice once it's dry. There are more tips in how to make your laundry smell amazing, and if the machine itself smells, see our guide to cleaning a washing machine.
Step 5: Stop damp before it starts
Wardrobes and cupboards on outside walls get damp in winter. Leave a gap between your clothes and the wall, and put a dehumidifier inside to take up the moisture. Our guide to stopping damp and condensation in wardrobes and cupboards goes into more detail.
Step 6: Choose one cosy scent
Once the house is clean, pick one cosy scent and use it in a few places: the cleaner on your surfaces, a fabric freshener on the sofa and an air freshener in the hallway. With the same scent throughout, no room clashes with the next.
Our winter scents:
• Iced Gingerbread, sweet and festive
• Marshmallow Melt, soft and comforting
• Cosy Cashmere, warm and snuggly
• Winter Angel, clean and wintry
Getting ready for Christmas guests
Before visitors arrive:
1. Open the windows for 10 minutes, then close them so the rooms warm up again.
2. Empty the bins and freshen them.
3. Give the bathroom and kitchen a quick wipe.
4. Mist the sofa cushions, throws and hallway rug.
5. Spray an air freshener in the hallway, to welcome guests with your favourite cosy scent.
A simple winter freshness routine
• Every day: open a window for 10 minutes, wipe condensation and worktops, and empty the kitchen bin when it's full.
• Every week: vacuum and freshen the sofa and rugs, clean the bathroom and kitchen, and wash throws and cushion covers.
• Every month: check wardrobes for damp, clean the washing machine and empty the dehumidifiers.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my house smell musty in winter?
Usually it's moisture with nowhere to go, from drying clothes, showers and cooking. Air the house daily, dry washing quickly and use a dehumidifier in damp spots.
How can I make my house smell like Christmas?
Clean first, then use a festive scent such as Iced Gingerbread on your surfaces, on soft furnishings and in the hallway.
Is it OK to open windows in winter?
Yes. Ten minutes in the morning clears stale air and moisture without losing much warmth.
How often should I freshen my sofa?
Once or twice a week in winter, after a quick vacuum.
Shop the Cosy Collection
The Cosy Collection features Iced Gingerbread, Marshmallow Melt and Cosy Cashmere in antibacterial sprays, concentrated disinfectants, bicarb cleaners and fabric fresheners. For the rest of the house, browse our Room & Fabric range.
