Closing the Cottage: How to Keep It From Smelling Musty by Spring

Nobody wants to open the cottage door in May to a damp, musty smell. What to do when you close up in fall so it smells fresh when you come back.

That first breath when you open the cottage in spring tells you how the winter went. A clean, slightly woody smell means you closed well. A damp, musty one means moisture got in and stayed. Most of the difference comes down to what you do on closing weekend.

Why cottages smell musty

Musty smell is almost always moisture plus still air. A closed cottage sits for months with no heat and no air moving. Any damp in fabrics, food residue or a small leak gives mildew a place to grow, and the smell soaks into wood, mattresses and cushions.

Before you leave: the closing checklist

Deal with moisture 1. Clear the gutters and downspouts so meltwater drains away from the building. 2. Check windows and doors for gaps, and add weatherstripping where you feel a draft. 3. Check the crawl space or basement for signs of water, and make sure any sump pump works. 4. Leave interior doors, cupboards and closets open so air can move between rooms.

The fridge and kitchen - Empty, clean and dry the fridge and freezer, then prop the doors open. A closed, unplugged fridge is the most common source of a bad smell in spring. - Remove all food, including spices and anything in cardboard. Store dry goods in airtight bins or take them home. - Clean crumbs and grease from counters, the stove and the toaster.

Fabrics - Wash bedding, towels and throws and store them in sealed bins or vacuum bags. - Stand mattresses on edge or cover them, and take cushions home if they ever feel damp. - Cover sofas and chairs with breathable sheets, not plastic, which traps moisture.

Pests - Seal small gaps with steel wool or mesh, and close the chimney flue. - Pests bring smells of their own, so this matters as much as moisture.

Absorbers - Leave moisture absorbers (the calcium chloride tubs sold at hardware stores) in closets, the bathroom and the kitchen. Put them on a tray in case they overflow. - An open box of baking soda in the fridge and cupboards helps a little more.

Opening weekend: freshen it fast

Open every window for a few hours to get air moving.
Run the fans and, if you have power, the furnace fan.
Wash or air out linens on the line in the sun.
Wipe down counters, cupboards and the fridge with warm water and a little vinegar.
Then add a scent to make it feel like the cottage again: woody and fresh, never heavy.

A reed diffuser suits a cottage well: no flame, no power needed, and it keeps working whether you are there or not. Set one out on opening weekend and it is part of the welcome every time you walk in.

Quick answers

How do I keep my cottage from smelling musty over winter? Control moisture: clear gutters, seal gaps, leave doors and cupboards open, clean and prop open the fridge, store linens in sealed bins and leave moisture absorbers out.

Should I leave the fridge open when I close the cottage? Yes. Empty it, clean it, dry it and prop the doors open, or it will smell in spring.

What absorbs moisture in a closed cottage? Calcium chloride moisture absorbers work well in closets and bathrooms. Baking soda helps with odour in the fridge and cupboards.

How do I get rid of a musty smell when I open the cottage? Air it out, wash or sun the linens, wipe down surfaces, then add a light woody or fresh scent.

For cottage season: Cèdre Noir, cedar and cardamom, smells like a cabin should. For a fresher, lakeside feel, try Fig & Cashmere. Related: Why Does My Closet Smell Musty?

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