House smells after week away

[whiffyhouse]

My house smells really odd. Kind of museum / stuffy. We have a dog but the smell isn't doggy per se, just horrid and stale
I'll fling every window and door open today (got back 3.45 from airport so wasn't doing any cleaning then) but what else will make it smell fresh? And fast?!

Have you got any Zoflora? Washing up boil full of boiling water, cap of Zoflora and the fresh smell will permeate the room. When it’s cool enough you can then use the water on a cloth to wipe around surfaces.

Is it an old house? Do you have a damp problem?

Got Zoflora and it is old yes, but no damp that I'm aware. I'll crack the Zoflora open and the windows and hope it doesn't always smell like this. It actually smells like a neighbour's whose cat we used to feed. Kind of old library / hint of dog/ something else I can't name. Strange !

Windows all open and Zoflora wiping completed. We are after a new carpet anyway for lounge and this cements decision
Dog back from sitters and is freshly bathed and fast asleep in his bed smelling fragrant at least

I've had this before. When we got back this year the house smelled like lilies (the smell when they're dying and the petals are dropping off) which was really strange.

We had this a while ago, found a dead mouse when the smell got stronger.

Am I the only one who would be worried that this is what my house actually smells like and I’be not known as I live there. I love coming home to my house after a break, I take the opportunity to look around and notice if anything looks a bit shit or if it smells weird!

It always smells like that, you've just had a break from it.

I also like to get my nose in everywhere when I come back. With a fresh nose.

I think it’s usual for a house to smell surely having been all locked up for a week without windows open and ventilation.

I certainly wouldn’t be using zoflora but keep the windows open and also things like the dishwasher and washing machine not being used for a week always smell a bit in my house. I’m sure the smell will abate as the days go on.

It was only after a holiday I noticed my entryway smelt of wet dog, grim. Starter cleaning the floors more often and changed out the rug, didn't smell when I got back from my most recent holiday.

This. Unless somethings got in and died like in pp’s situation, then the smell of the house shouldn’t change that drastically within a couple of weeks. I remember my mums house smelling after she’d been abroad for 6 months and damp had somehow got into her furniture (humid country though). Your house shouldn’t be smelling musty or mouldy after a week or 2 on holiday though unless that’s how it always smells 🤷🏼‍♀️

Mouldy potato somewhere?

It doesn't usually smell like this to me when returning from hols - I notice foggy smell sometimes after weekend away but this was just weird.
I've just tested positive for covid though the others also said it smelt weird. I've got all windows open and when I feel better will be cleaning like a demon. It's horrid to think it smells like this normally 😩😓