A room that is only used now and then can develop a shut-in smell. The window stays closed, the wardrobe door stays shut, and the bedding sits quietly for weeks. Your guests will notice it the moment they open the door, so it is worth making time to freshen the room properly a few days before they arrive, rather than in a rush on the day.
Start with fresh air. Open the window as wide as it goes, and leave the door open too, so the air moves right through. Do this for a good while on a dry day. While you are at it, open the wardrobe and any drawers, so that the air can reach the inside. If there is a smell in the wardrobe, wipe the shelves with a damp cloth and let them dry with the doors open.
Next, deal with the bed. Wash the sheets and pillowcases, even if they were clean when you last put them away, because fabric that has been folded in a cupboard for a long time picks up a slightly stale smell. Hang the duvet and pillows outside on a dry day, or near an open window if you have no garden. Put the fresh bedding on just before the visit, and make the bed properly.
Small finishing touches
Wipe the bedside table, the windowsill and any surfaces with a damp cloth, and vacuum or sweep the floor. Empty the bin, if there is one, and give visitors a clear drawer or a few hangers, so they do not feel they are borrowing someone else's space. Put out clean towels, folded neatly at the foot of the bed.
A small vase of fresh flowers or a plant on the windowsill makes the room feel cared for, and it needs no scent at all. Leave the window slightly open during the day, as long as the weather allows.
When your guests arrive, the room will feel calm and welcoming. Afterwards, strip the bed, air the room again and put the bedding away clean and dry, so it is ready for the next visit.
