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Aug 15, 2024 · 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...
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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.
- Mold and mildew. 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.
- Dust and grime build up. If you cannot find any sources of mold in your home then the source may be a little less sinister. ‘ Musty smells are often caused in the home by a build-up of dirt and grime, which can cause a lingering, unpleasant smell,’ explains Amanda Lewis of Elbow Grease. ‘
- Improperly dried clothing and linens. Although drying clothes quickly is convenient, not leaving clothes and linens to dry for long enough can leave them smelling musty and cause a permanent odor in your home.
- Home humidity above 60% Trying to work out what humidity your house should be in winter can be difficult. Nevertheless, a humidity over 60% can trap odors and create a musty, damp lingering smell around your home.
- 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 · 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.
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Feb 13, 2024 · The 12 Possible Reasons Your House Smells Musty. 1. Dirty Carpet. Carpets act like giant sponges. Not only can dust and dirt hide in the tracks and the fibers, but the carpet itself also sucks up moisture in the air and moisture is what mold and bacteria need to thrive.
