How to Keep a Mudroom or Front Entry Smelling Fresh All Winter

Wet boots, damp coats, hockey bags and dog leashes: the entry takes the worst of winter. How to stop it smelling, and make the first breath of your home a good one.

In a Canadian winter, the front entry works harder than any room in the house. Snow melts off boots, coats come in damp, and in many homes there is a hockey bag in the corner. It is also the first thing anyone smells when they walk in. Here is how to keep it fresh from November to April.

Why entries smell in winter

Damp that never dries: wet boots, mitts and coats sit in a small, cool space.
Salt and slush soaking into mats and the floor.
Sports gear: hockey, ski and gym bags hold sweat and moisture.
Closed doors and windows mean the air hardly moves.

The common thread is moisture. Dry things out and most of the smell goes with it.

Dry everything, every day

Use a boot tray with a raised rack, so boots sit above the melt water instead of in it.
Stuff wet boots with newspaper, or use a boot dryer overnight.
Hang coats with space between them so air can reach the lining. A crowded hook is a damp hook.
Put mitts, hats and scarves on a drying rack near a heat vent, not in a closed bin.

Hockey and sports gear

Never leave gear in the bag. Open the bag and hang every piece to dry after each game or practice.
Wash what you can (base layers, socks, jerseys) after every use, and liners often.
Dry gear in a ventilated spot, ideally a garage or laundry room, not the front closet.

Mats and floors

Shake out mats daily and wash them weekly in winter.
Mop salt residue with warm water and a little vinegar. Dried salt holds moisture and smells stale.
Use two mats: a rough one outside, an absorbent one inside.

Move the air

Leave the closet door open overnight so damp coats can dry.
Run a small fan or open a window for a few minutes on milder days.
Use a moisture absorber in a closed entry closet.

Then make it smell welcoming

Once the entry is dry, a scent here does more than anywhere else, because it is the first breath of your home for you and every guest. Choose something clean or softly woody, and keep it steady rather than strong. A reed diffuser on a shelf, away from where coats brush past, is ideal. More ideas: Best Scent for an Entryway.

Quick answers

How do I stop my entryway smelling in winter? Dry boots on a raised tray, hang coats with space, wash mats weekly, mop salt, keep air moving, then add a light scent.

How do I get rid of hockey bag smell? Take everything out after every use, hang it to dry somewhere ventilated, and wash base layers and liners often. A bag that stays zipped will always smell.

Why does my front closet smell musty? Damp coats and boots in a closed space. Leave the door open overnight and use a moisture absorber.

What scent is best for a front entry? A clean, welcoming scent that works for everyone: citrus and jasmine, white tea, or soft cedar.

For the first breath of your home: Grand Foyer, bergamot and white jasmine, is made for entries. For a warmer, woodier welcome, try Cèdre Noir.

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