How to Get Rid of Smells in Your Airbnb
To get rid of smells in your Airbnb, find and remove the source first, then clean the surfaces that hold odor, ventilate with fresh air and let the space dry fully. Fragrance only covers a smell for a while, and a guest who notices both the odor and a heavy air freshener assumes something is being hidden.
Smell is the first thing guests notice when they open the door, before they see a single room. It is also one of the hardest things to judge from photos, which makes it tricky for remote hosts. Here is how I approach it.
Step 1: find the source
Most rental odors come from a short list of places. Go through them in order:
| Smell | Common sources |
|---|---|
| Musty or damp | Bathroom fans not venting, wet towels, leaks, mildew in the shower, a closed up home |
| Sour or rotting | Trash cans, fridge, garbage disposal, dishwasher filter, food left in cupboards |
| Sewer | Dry drain traps in unused sinks or showers, plumbing problems |
| Pet | Soft furniture, rugs, bedding, pet accidents that were cleaned too lightly |
| Smoke | Soft surfaces, walls, ceilings, HVAC system |
| Stale | HVAC filter, closed windows, carpet |
Walk through with the doors and windows closed for a few minutes and follow your nose. Check places guests use and cleaners skip: under the kitchen sink, behind the trash can, inside the microwave, the washing machine seal and the dishwasher filter.
If a sewer smell does not go away after you run water in every drain, or you find signs of a leak, call a plumber. If you see or smell mold, read preventing mold and mildew in short term rentals and deal with the moisture before anything else.
Step 2: clean the things that hold odor
Kitchen
- Empty and wash trash and recycling bins, not just the bags.
- Clear the fridge of anything guests left and wipe the shelves and drawers.
- Clean the dishwasher filter following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Wipe the inside of the microwave and the oven if it was used heavily.
- Run water through the garbage disposal and clean the splash guard.
Bathrooms
- Run water in every sink, shower and tub, including in rooms that were not used, so drain traps stay filled.
- Clean around the toilet base and behind it.
- Check that the exhaust fan works and actually pulls air.
- Make sure wet towels and bath mats leave with the laundry.
Soft surfaces
Fabric holds odor longer than hard surfaces. Depending on the smell, that means:
- Washing all linens, throws, pillow covers and removable cushion covers
- Vacuuming upholstery and rugs slowly, with the right attachments
- Cleaning carpets and upholstery following the manufacturer's care codes
- Letting everything dry fully before the next guest
HVAC
Replace the HVAC filter on a set schedule, and sooner if the home had pets, smoking or construction dust. A dirty filter keeps recirculating whatever smell is in the house.
Step 3: ventilate and dry
Fresh air does more than any product.
- Open windows on opposite sides of the home for cross ventilation when weather allows.
- Run exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Use fans to move air through closed rooms.
- Run a dehumidifier in damp climates or basements.
A home that sits closed between bookings, especially in heat or humidity, can smell stale by the time the next guest arrives. If you have long gaps, ask your cleaner to air it out before check in or set your thermostat to keep air moving.
Cleaning products: one at a time
Odor removal is where people get tempted to combine products for a stronger effect. Do not. The CDC warns never to mix household bleach, or any disinfectant, with other cleaners or disinfectants, because it can release vapors that are very dangerous to breathe (CDC, Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach).
Use one product at a time, follow its label, rinse if the label says to and ventilate while you work. Enzyme cleaners made for pet accidents are a separate product for a separate job; follow their instructions on their own.
What about ozone generators?
Ozone machines are sold for odor removal, and some hosts use them. The EPA says ozone can damage the lungs when inhaled, that no federal agency has approved these devices for use in occupied spaces and that ozone at safe levels is not effective at removing many odor causing chemicals (EPA, Ozone Generators that are Sold as Air Cleaners). If you are dealing with a serious odor, such as smoke, a professional remediation company can advise on what is appropriate for your home. Never run one with guests, cleaners or pets inside.
Scents: use them lightly or not at all
Some fragrance sensitive guests react to strong scents, and heavy fragrance can suggest you are covering something up. If you want a signature scent, keep it light, use it in one or two spots and make sure the home smells clean without it first. Mention it in your listing or house manual if it is plug in or diffused.
Build smell checks into every turnover
Because smell does not show up in photos, you need a separate step:
- Ask your cleaner to do a door test at the end of the turnover. Step outside for a minute, come back in and notice the first smell.
- Add a smell line to the checklist for each room: "no odor in kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms."
- Track repeat problems. If the same room smells musty after every few stays, you have a moisture or ventilation issue to fix.
Photos still help with the causes. Overflowing bins, a dirty dishwasher filter, a closed bathroom fan or damp towels left on the floor are visible. With Clyn, your cleaner's turnover photos are checked by AI against your property's standard, so those visible causes get flagged before the next guest arrives. For the rest, the door test and a clear checklist do the work. See the Airbnb inspection checklist for how to fit it in.
When a guest mentions a smell
Respond quickly and without getting defensive. Ask where the smell is and what it is like, send someone to check if you can and explain what you are doing about it. If you need to handle a public comment afterward, see how to respond to a bad cleanliness review.
If a guest caused the odor, for example by smoking inside, that is a separate problem with its own process. See a guest smoked in your Airbnb: cleaning and claims.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to get rid of a smell in an Airbnb?
Remove the source, then ventilate with cross airflow and fans. Most odors come from trash, drains, the fridge, damp towels or soft furnishings, so check those first.
Why does my Airbnb smell musty between guests?
A closed home with little air movement, bathroom fans that do not vent, dry drain traps or moisture problems are the usual causes. Air the home out, run water in every drain and look for leaks or mildew.
Are ozone machines safe for Airbnb odor removal?
The EPA says ozone can damage the lungs and that no federal agency has approved ozone generators for use in occupied spaces. Get professional advice for serious odors and never run one with people or pets inside.
If you want every turnover checked before check in, you can try Clyn free on one property at clyn.com.