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Aug 15, 2024 · 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. [3] [4] Do this regularly to prevent the musty smell from coming back.
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- Your Carpeting Needs Cleaned. There are many reasons why wall-to-wall carpet throughout the home has fallen out of favor—a major one being that carpet retains odors.
- The Ventilation Is Inadequate. According to Murphy, inadequate ventilation is another primary source of those musty aromas. “Limited fresh air can lead to stale, musty conditions,” she explains.
- There’s A Leak. 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.
- Mold Is Growing. While mold on surfaces can be obvious, such as when you see it growing on a wall or ceiling, that isn’t always the case, explains Momplaisir.
Nov 12, 2022 · For spot sources like plants, garbage cans and laundry, clean them up. If you find exterior leaks, get them repaired, and clean/remove/replace water damaged materials. Moisture is the root cause of most musty house smells. If you have musty odors in the kitchen, laundry room or bathrooms, improve ventilation.
- Rotten Eggs. About half of the homes in the United States use natural gas for heating, hot water, cooking, or drying clothes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
- A Fishy Smell. If something smells fishy in your home, it might not be the lingering odor from last night’s tilapia. In fact, you may want to call an electrician ASAP.
- Sewage or “Bathroom” Odor. Don’t blame the bean dip! If you have a sewer smells in the bathroom, you may want to call the plumber. That smell may mean that your plumbing system or vent pipe is clogged, or that you have a broken sewer pipe.
- Cat Urine. Even people without feline friends may smell cat urine, especially after it rains, and wonder how to get rid of cat pee smell that’s plaguing them.
- Excess Moisture Around The House. One of the most common causes of musty smells in the house is excess moisture, which means there’s water in some areas where it shouldn’t be.
- Poor Air Circulation Inside The House. Inadequate airflow is another common reason a house smells musty, even without mold. When there is stagnant air inside your home, bacteria and other contaminants can get trapped indoors, which results in that old musty smell.
- Household Members Smoking Indoors. If you or another household member smokes indoors, even if it’s only occasionally, then you may have found the culprit behind that old, musty smell inside the house.
- Dirt & Spills that Haven’t Been Properly Cleaned. Dirt, spills, and messes are quite common, and even unavoidable, when you have little kids or pets in the household.
4 days ago · "Carpets and upholstery can trap moisture, dust, and bacteria, leading to a musty smell over time," she explains. "I suggest vacuuming on a regular basis and deep cleaning carpets and upholstery as needed." Feel free to peruse our guide on how to clean carpets to treat your floor coverings to professional cleaning at home. 3. Clogged or Dirty ...
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Feb 13, 2024 · If the smell is bad, replace old paperbacks with new hardbacks, which are less likely to cause the problem. 11. Rotting Food. The smell of rotting food is not usually described as musty, but it depends on the food, its age, and the bacteria that form. Perishable food left in cupboards, or even in the fridge, can go off and will become moldy.
