Moving into a new home is exciting, but the first surprise is often the smell. Every home has its own, made up of cooking, fabrics, cleaning products and the habits of the people who lived there. To a newcomer, it can seem strange or even unwelcome. The good news is that this feeling usually fades quickly, and there is a lot you can do to help it along.
The first step is fresh air. Before you unpack, open every window and let the wind blow through the empty rooms. This alone changes the atmosphere more than any product could. Open the cupboards, the wardrobes and the drawers, and leave them open for a while, so that any stale air inside can escape before you fill them with your own things.
Next comes cleaning, room by room. Wipe the insides of the cupboards and the shelves with a cloth and warm water, and clean the fridge and the oven thoroughly. Check the bathroom and kitchen drains and the bin area. If the curtains or blinds were left by the previous occupants, wash or air them, or replace them with your own. These are the places where an unfamiliar smell most often hides.
Adding your own touch
Unpack the things that smell like your life first: your bedding, your towels, your favourite blanket. Soft furnishings from your old home carry a familiar scent, and they will start to change the smell of the room right away. Hang your washing outside on a dry day, and let the fresh air do the rest.
Cook a meal you know well and enjoy, with the window open. The smell of your own cooking is a comforting signal, and it helps the kitchen feel like yours. Bring a few plants or a bunch of flowers, and keep the windows open as often as possible in the first weeks.
Do not try to cover the smell with something strong. A heavy scent only sits on top of the old one, and the two can clash unpleasantly. Give the home a little time, keep the air moving, and it will soon smell of you.
