In museums, galleries and visitor centres, cleanliness shapes perception. Even subtle odours in cloakrooms or visitor facilities can undermine a visitor’s impression of care and quality.

London’s museums welcome millions of guests each year, making odour management not just a hygiene issue but a key part of preserving comfort and reputation. This guide explores common causes of odour, preventive measures and practical strategies for long-term control.

Why odour arises in visitor facilities

Odour develops when moisture, organic material and poor ventilation allow bacteria to thrive. Spaces like cloakrooms, toilets and changing areas experience high humidity and continuous footfall, making them especially vulnerable.

According to Air Quality Consultants, odour control is a core element of maintaining public-facing spaces. They note that enclosed, frequently used areas need regular air renewal to avoid build-up of airborne compounds.

Common odour sources

• Moisture: Wet umbrellas, coats and bags introduce humidity that feeds bacteria.

• Poor ventilation: Stale air allows odorous gases to linger rather than disperse.

• High visitor throughput: Thousands of guests daily amplify heat, humidity and waste.

• Infrequent cleaning: Delays in removing waste or wiping down surfaces cause organic residue to ferment.

• Blocked drains or ventilation ducts: Plumbing faults often lead to persistent smells that cleaning alone can’t solve.

 

 

Key areas where odour problems occur

Odour management requires a targeted approach. Each facility type within a museum presents its own risks and solutions.

Cloakrooms and umbrella stands

Cloakrooms store wet and absorbent materials. Stagnant moisture from soaked coats or umbrellas can quickly cause musty odours. Drip trays should be emptied daily, and damp walls or flooring dried before closing time.

Visitor toilets and changing areas

Washrooms face the highest odour risk due to frequent use and high humidity. The Odour Observatory recommends that public washrooms be managed using an Odour Management Plan (OMP) covering extraction rates, cleaning schedules and inspection routines.

Baby-care and accessible changing rooms

These spaces combine soft furnishings with plumbing, meaning odour can spread through fabrics. Odour-neutral, pH-balanced cleaning products should be used to protect sensitive materials.

Multi-use event zones

When visitor facilities share air systems with galleries or hospitality areas, odour migration can occur. Proper air zoning and pressure balancing help prevent this transfer.

The hidden costs of poor odour control

Odour is more than a cosmetic concern. It impacts visitor satisfaction, staff wellbeing and long-term building maintenance.

Consequence	Impact on the building	Effect on visitors
Negative perception	Visitors associate odour with poor hygiene standards	Reduced satisfaction and repeat visits
Hygiene risk	Odours can signal microbial growth or drainage issues	Potential complaints and lost trust
Material degradation	Persistent moisture can weaken finishes or corrode fixtures	Increased maintenance cost
Regulatory breaches	Facilities may fall below hygiene or accessibility standards	Reputational and compliance risk

According to Vision Constructors, environmental control in museums must balance conservation of collections with comfort and hygiene for visitors – something only achievable through disciplined air quality management.

Best practice strategies for odour management

Maintaining odour-free spaces relies on combining ventilation, cleaning and design. A coordinated approach across cleaning teams, maintenance engineers and visitor services is essential.

Ventilation and airflow

Ensure extract systems serve cloakrooms, toilets and changing spaces individually. Where natural ventilation is limited, mechanical systems must provide at least 8–10 air changes per hour. Filters should be cleaned or replaced quarterly to maintain performance.

Robust cleaning and hygiene programmes

• Daily sanitisation: Clean high-touch surfaces, door handles, benches and umbrella stands with antibacterial products.

• Moisture management: Wipe dry all wet surfaces before closing to stop bacteria forming overnight.

• Drain checks: Inspect gulleys and traps weekly to prevent backflow odours.

• Regular deep cleans: Monthly machine scrubs and odour-neutralising treatments extend cleanliness between daily routines.

Material and surface selection

Choose materials that resist moisture absorption and odour retention.

Hard, non-porous surfaces such as vinyl flooring and epoxy coatings outperform porous options. Paints and sealants with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) improve air quality and reduce trapped smells.

Design and operational considerations

Odour control should be integrated into design and daily management plans.

Layout and airflow separation

Place cloakrooms and toilets away from galleries or cafés. Use lobby doors or airlocks to prevent odour migration. Where older buildings limit layout changes, consider directional extract systems or sealed ceiling ducts.

Monitoring technology

Install humidity and odour sensors in high-traffic areas. Link readings to maintenance alerts or building management systems (BMS) to prompt immediate intervention.

Modern systems use volatile compound detectors to provide real-time air-quality data and highlight problem zones.

Training and accountability

Staff are often the first to notice odours. Regular training ensures they act quickly on issues. Cleaning supervisors should maintain odour logs, supported by visual checks and temperature-humidity readings.

Creating an odour management checklist

Odour prevention is easier when daily actions are clear and trackable. The following checklist helps facilities teams prioritise control:

• Ensure air extract achieves the correct flow rate and coverage

• Install humidity sensors linked to the BMS

• Empty drip trays and umbrella bins daily

• Clean coat hooks, benches and lockers weekly with antimicrobial detergent

• Use closed bins and ensure waste is removed before the site closes

• Check for standing water under plumbing or fixtures

• Replace filters in air dryers and purifiers monthly

• Inspect seals around drains and basins to prevent leaks

By treating odour prevention as part of daily operations, museums can maintain a consistently pleasant atmosphere for visitors and staff.

How professional cleaning supports odour prevention

Professional cleaning teams bring structured schedules, specialist products and building knowledge that improve odour resilience.

At DOC Cleaning, we work with museums and cultural institutions across London to:

• Audit ventilation and identify airflow issues that cause odour build-up

• Deep clean visitor facilities and plumbing fixtures

• Apply odour-neutralising treatments suitable for public environments

• Support heritage building care with sensitive cleaning methods

• Train in-house teams to recognise and address emerging hygiene issues

 

Get in touch

If you manage a museum, gallery or cultural building in London and want support with odour control or hygiene management, contact us today.

Our team will assess your cloakrooms, toilets and visitor facilities, then design a tailored cleaning and ventilation plan that enhances comfort and preserves your building’s reputation.