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- Leaks can also cause musty odors, but the bigger problem is that they aren’t always visible. “Hidden leaks within walls or under floors can perpetuate ongoing mustiness,” Murphy explains. So, if rooms that normally smell good suddenly have a musty odor you just can’t get rid of—you might need a professional to check behind the walls.
www.realsimple.com/reasons-your-home-smells-musty-8580283
- Excess moisture – The presence of water where it shouldn’t be is a leading cause of musty smells in homes. This water can come from a leaky pipe hidden in a wall, a humid basement, or even wet towels piled up in the bathroom.
- Inadequate airflow – When air is stagnant inside your home, contaminants get trapped indoors, too, resulting in that “old house” smell. Improving air circulation in your home can be as easy as opening windows and running ceiling fans.
- Dirt and debris stuck in the heating or cooling system – It’s not uncommon for HVAC equipment and ductwork to accumulate dirt, dust, and other small particles over time.
- Soiled carpets – If a drink spills or a pet urinates on a carpet, the liquids can easily get absorbed by the soft surface, pad, and subfloor. If not cleaned up quickly, these liquids can spread smells or lead to bacteria or fungus growth.
4 days ago · 1. Mold & Mildew Growth. (Image credit: Getty Images) In conversation with Emily Adams, cleaning expert at NW Maids, she tells us that mold and mildew tend to be the prime reason your home is developing a musty scent. "Mold and mildew thrive in damp, poorly ventilated areas, such as basements and bathrooms," she notes.
- Overview
- Run the ceiling fa
- Open your doors and window
- Absorb odor with baking sod
- Use a dehumidifie
- Buy an air purifie
- Steam upholstery and carpetin
- Wash your pet's beddin
- Fix any cracked or broken pipe
- Clean mildewed areas with bleac
A musty smell in your house is never fun, but it's surprisingly common and pretty easy to fix. If your sick of the smell and are looking for a quick solution, there's a lot you can do. We've got a lot of tips to help, like making sure your home is getting proper ventilation and checking to see if the smell is coming from a particular source (and wh...
Circulating air can help get rid of musty smells.
Sometimes musty smells come from the air being too humid and still. Turn on your ceiling fan to dry out the air and get rid of the smell.
Get some fresh air circulating in your space.
Take 5-10 minutes to completely air out your space. The air outside is a lot cleaner than the air inside your home. If your home is really smelling musty, give it some fresh air.
Pour baking soda into bowls and place them throughout your home.
Baking soda can deodorize your home due to its ability to absorb the smell. If you don't have any baking soda on hand, kitty litter can double as an odor eliminator.
Pour kitty litter into bowls and keep them throughout your home like you would baking soda.
Charcoal briquettes are another option to absorb odors. Place them in trays throughout your home or set them on a shelf or table to get rid of any musty smell.
High humidity levels can make a house smell musty.
Install a dehumidifier and keep the humidity level at 50%. This can keep the air nice and dry, and hopefully prevent any mold from growing in your space. Make sure the humidity level is never over 60% (that's when mildew and mold can start to thrive).
This removes smelly air pollutants like mold, pollen, dander, and dust.
For best results, use a true HEPA filter. Replace the filter regularly to keep the machine working as efficiently as possible. Keep the air purifier in your living room or anywhere in your home where the smell is particularly musty.
Air purifiers cost about $50-100 a year to run and maintain.
You can also use a HEPA filter when changing the filtration system of your AC and other HVAC equipment in your home. This can keep the air in your house cleaner than a standard filter and can improve the smell as well.
Your furniture and carpet may be to blame for the musty smell.
Rent a steam cleaner to clean your upholstered furniture like couches and chairs. Hire a professional if you're not comfortable cleaning the furniture yourself.
Pet bedding can get pretty smelly and musty after a while.
For example, if your dog frequently goes in and outside, they track in mud and water into their beds. That moisture seeps into their bedding and contributes to mold growth. To avoid this, wash your pet beds and blankets regularly in the washer. Check the washing and drying requirements listed on the label for specific instructions.
These can cause water leakage (and eventually, mildew and mold growth).
Check all the faucets and pipes in your home for potential leaks. If you notice any leaks, cracks, or broken pipes,
yourself or call a plumber for some help.
Regularly check the pipes in your home for leaks to prevent moisture buildup. It's a little extra work, but it will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
The smell may be coming from mildew or mold in your house.
Check spaces where mold thrives, like the caulking in your shower or grout lines between bathroom tiles. If you find anything, use a mixture of bleach and water to get rid of it before it spreads.
Mix 1 cup (240 mL) of bleach with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Apply the solution to the moldy or mildewy surface and scrub it with a brush. Next, rinse off the solution with water and let it air dry.
When looking for the source of the smell, move things that may be hiding the mold or mildew growth, like soap and shampoo bottles in the bathroom or storage containers in your basement.
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May 25, 2023 · A musty smell in your house can be unpleasant and indicative of underlying issues that need to be addressed. Whether it’s water leaks, high humidity levels, poor air circulation, a dirty HVAC system, or spills and stains, identifying and resolving the cause of the odor is crucial.
5 DIY Musty Smell Removal Techniques. Often some fairly straightforward steps can get rid of the musty smell. Usually, mustiness can be managed with some regular cleaning and maintenance. If you have a serious issue on your hands — such as after a large water leak — then calling the professionals is a wise choice.
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Oct 11, 2024 · The most common cause of a sudden musty smell in a house, especially in winter, is the development of mold and mildew, often caused by humid conditions and condensation. A musty smell, accompanied by dark discoloration on walls, furnishings, ceilings, or carpets can be the first sign of spores.
