When a guest steps into your room, the first thing they usually notice is not the décor, but the perceived air quality. If there is a strong odor in the room, the sense of cleanliness is compromised, satisfaction decreases, and complaints become inevitable.
Comments on hotel review platforms such as “the room smelled bad” or “there was a strong odor upon entering” can quickly lower your property’s rating. So, how can you permanently reduce these complaints and welcome guests into a fresh, odor-free room?
Here are 5 effective methods to reduce odor complaints in hotel rooms:
1. Properly Design Ventilation Systems
The main cause of odors is trapped air and insufficient fresh air intake. If regular air circulation is not ensured in the room:
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Cleaning product odors become persistent
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Human-sourced odors like sweat, breath, or perfume accumulate in the air
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Textiles such as carpets, curtains, and upholstery retain odors
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Humid air becomes heavy, contributing to unpleasant smells
What to Do:
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Design a central ventilation system with fresh air intake for each room
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If no central system is available, use energy-recovery individual ventilation units
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Activate ventilation automatically when rooms are unoccupied
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Regularly inspect the drainage lines of fan coil units or air conditioning indoor units
2. Don’t Neglect Filters – Especially Activated Carbon Filters
Air filters do more than trap dust; they can also capture gas molecules responsible for odors. Standard filters are not very effective in this regard. Activated carbon filters are specifically used for this purpose.
Critical situations for using activated carbon filters:
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Rooms facing main streets or industrial areas
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Rooms near kitchen vents where outdoor odors may enter
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Rooms above parking areas exposed to exhaust fumes
Note:
The filter’s function is not just to exist but to actively work. Activated carbon filters should be replaced every 6–12 months, and their effectiveness should be checked regularly.
3. Update Soft Surfaces with Odor-Resistant Materials
Surfaces that retain odors the most in rooms include:
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Carpets
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Heavy curtains
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Fabric-covered chairs
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Wood-finished furniture
Over time, these surfaces absorb ambient odors, especially when combined with humidity, and release them back into the air. This can become permanent in rooms with cigarette smoke.
What to Do:
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Choose easy-to-clean flooring instead of carpets
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Select curtains made of odor-resistant, washable fabrics
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Regularly steam-clean upholstery
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Use natural cleaning products instead of excessive detergents
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Implement structural improvements to prevent air leaks around doors and walls
4. Use Ozone or UV-C Assisted Air Purifiers
In some rooms, short guest turnover means standard cleaning may not be sufficient. Additional air purification systems may be necessary, especially in smoking rooms, pet-friendly hotels, or constantly humid rooms.
Most effective solutions:
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Ozone generators: Used after deep cleaning, operated when the room is unoccupied
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UV-C air sterilizers: Operate at a low continuous level to sterilize air
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Plasma ionizer systems: Can run continuously in the room and neutralize particles
Warning:
These devices require professional installation and maintenance. Improper use can cause more harm than benefit.
5. Staff Awareness and Odor Control Procedures
As important as technology, staff awareness is vital. The most successful hotels in odor management are those that have made it a standard procedure.
Recommended steps:
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Check air quality after room cleaning
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Open windows for a short period after cleaning for ventilation
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Use odorless or low-odor cleaning chemicals
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Track odor complaints using forms on each floor
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Apply sealing solutions on doors to prevent odor transfer
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Keep portable ozone devices on each floor for emergency intervention
Fresh Room Air: The Strongest Indicator of Cleanliness
Guests don’t use microscopes to determine how clean a room is. They form an opinion with their first breath. A bad odor can overshadow all other positive details.
The key is not to mask the odor, but to eliminate it — achievable through systematic ventilation, regular maintenance, and structural improvements.
İlker KURAN
Alperen Mühendislik Ltd. Şti.