A musty, dank odor lingering in the home can make the entire place feel unwelcoming and unclean, no matter how well decorated and neat it is. While you have probably noticed air fresheners and standard cleaning methods only have a limited effect, it does not imply that you will be stuck with the smell forever. Worse yet, some sources of musty smells might harm your health. The sooner you start, the easier it will be to get rid of the odor completely.
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Let In Fresh Air
The simplest way to help eradicate musty smells in your house is to keep the windows open. Letting in the fresh air will do a world of good for how the house smells. And ensure you keep open all the blinds and windows, both for airflow as well as for sunshine. You might also take things a step ahead by opening closets, interior doors, cabinets, and cupboards so that they all get fresh air too. Because when it is about the musty smells, sometimes fresh air can be all that is needed.
Find Out The Source
The primary step to eliminate musty smells is to locate the origin of the odor. Check and smell if it is coming from one room or already has spread into other rooms. Watch for any noticeable odor causes, such as a piece of food that fell behind the couch. If you cannot get any such source, you will have to hire a professional to come and inspect the place.
Get The Air Moving
Musty smells are usually more likely to emerge in rooms that are warm, dark, or damp. You can improve these kinds of rooms by keeping a fan switched on to keep the air moving. Also, run ventilation fans in your bathroom and kitchen regularly to control musty smells from developing. Talking about the rooms with limited airflows, such as the laundry room or attic, you can consider bringing in a tiny electric fan to get the air running.
Clean Your House
If dusting does not take care of the musty smell, a thorough cleaning will help. Make sure that you mop and sweep hard floors and vacuum your carpets. And as you are tidying up, always make sure that you keep your eyes peeled for smell sources.
Grab Your Duster
Dust is a constant source of musty smells, so take the dusting tool of your preference and get to dusting. Try and think of places you do not dust often, such as behind furniture, on top of the ceiling fans, or the top of the door frames. Use the duster with a dusting spray that will help in removing dust from settling in the future.
Use A Natural Air Freshener
There are many ways to make your house cleaner and smell fresher without resorting to expensive store-bought air fresheners. Whether you want to use baking soda, citrus peels, essential oils, or also house plants, you will indeed find your new favorite air freshener among the choices.
Use An Odor-Eliminator
If that musty smell appears to be from a tiny area such as a cupboard or a closet, use some baking soda. Put a small dish of baking soda in the problem area for up to one day. The baking soda can absorb odors and excess moisture and leave things that smell much fresher. You may also make a homemade deodorizing disk featuring essential oils and baking soda.
To permanently eliminate the musty smell, take actions to correct the circumstances that allowed the mildew and mold to develop. This means improving the ventilation and getting indoor humidity levels under control.
After Showering Or Cooking:
- Let the bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan run for about ten minutes.
- Repair leaky pipes and faucets, adding moisture to the air.
- Ensure that the appliances, like your clothes dryer, vent to the outdoors and not into indoor space or the attic.
- Keep the downspouts and gutters clean and work to not channel water onto your walls or roof.
Conclusion
If you find signs of insufficient airflow or high humidity, you may benefit from additional ventilation or a dehumidifier. Talk with the ventilation professional about installing the equipment. Musty smells may be stubborn, and removing them takes deep cleaning, but it’s possible to get your home smelling fresh again with the right approaches.
