Have you experienced walking into our house and getting a whiff of something old and musty? This odd smell is something every homeowner dreads as it’s displeasing and tricky to get rid of.
A musty smell can be a sign that mold or mildew is lurking in your home. The good news is that you can eliminate this unpleasant smell from your house. But first, you must identify the source of the musty smell. This article will tell you what causes the musty odor in your house. It will also provide some simple tips on getting rid of the musty smell of your home.
Why Does Your Home Smell Musty?
There are several factors in your home that can cause a musty smell. You must distinguish the difference between a musty smell and the smell of mold or mildew. Mold is usually a sharp type of odor. It is like the smell of rotting wood. It makes you want to leave the room as fast as possible.
Meanwhile, a musty smell is a lot dryer. It can be an early sign of a mold problem in your house. If there’s a musty smell in the air, you should check your house for molds.
The following are the leading causes of musty odors in a house:
● Wet Clothes
Do you often leave your wet clothes in the washing machine and forget about them? This is a surefire way to make your house smell musty. Even leaving your wet clothes in the washing machine for just a few hours can make them smell a bit off.
Take your clothes out of the washing machine immediately and put them in the dryer. Or you can hang them up to dry right away. Not only will this help make your home smell better. It will also make your clothes smell better as well.
● Carpets
If you want a fresh-smelling home, keep your carpet clean. Carpets usually work like sponges. They absorb moisture, smells, and other particles that can make your house smell musty. Vacuuming is not going to cut it. Yes, it will get all the dirt and debris out of your carpet, but it will not help remove moisture or bacteria. For best results, use a steam cleaner, shampoo, or baking soda to remove the musty smell. Doing so can also remove mold from your carpet.
● Mattresses or Bedding
Your sheets and mattress will collect moisture from you and other people’s bodies. Places like your bed, sofa, and loveseat can start to smell musty over time. To prevent this, wash these places using an appropriate cleaning solution. You can also choose a mattress topper or protector to keep your mattress smelling fresh.
Easy-to-Follow Tips on Getting Rid of Musty Smell from Your Home
When you’re cleaning mold and mildew, always take the proper precautions. Make sure to wear protective gear, such as long gloves, goggles, and a respirator. This way, you can avoid breathing in mold or mold spores.
Be sure to bag up and put all rags and sponges containing mold spores in the outdoor garbage bin to prevent the spread of molds.
Here are some simple tips on getting rid of the musty smell from your home:
● Locate The Source of the Musty Smell
Start your search in areas that are often warm and moist. In the bathroom, make sure to check for mildew growth in the shower and on the shower curtain. Also, check the leaks around sinks, tubs, and toilets.
In the kitchen, you should look for leaks around the sink and dishwasher. Make sure to check under and in the refrigerator and small appliances that use water. These include coffee makers and tea kettles. You should also check the trash can. That’s because mildew could be growing under the disposable trash bag liner.
In bedrooms, check your mattress from time to time and look inside wardrobes and anything that stands against the external wall.
In the basement, you will likely find mold around your water heater. You can also find them near insulation, vents, walls, and ceilings.
● Immediately Deal with Moisture Issues
Moisture is one of the main ingredients of mold and mildew. This explains why you could get rid of the musty smell if your house has a moisture problem. Call a professional when you spot anything that can cause excess moisture.
● Open Your Windows
You should let some fresh air into your house. It will not only get rid of the musty smell, but it is also good for your health. Cracking open a few of your windows can improve your home’s ventilation. It also prevents the growth of mold. If you have portable fans, let them run through the rooms for even more freshness.
● Keep Your House As Dry As Possible
You might want to prevent having wet surfaces in your home. That’s because they encourage mold and mildew to form, which causes long-lasting damage to your property. Keep all surfaces dry whenever possible. Make sure to dry the bathroom floor after a shower. You should also wipe spills in the kitchen and anything that’s not supposed to be wet.
● Install A Dehumidifier
Mold and mildew need moisture to thrive. To keep mildew under control, you should lessen the humidity level in your home. You should try to keep your interior humidity no higher than 50 percent. You can get a free-standing dehumidifier. Make sure to keep the dehumidifier clean. You should empty the water collection bin as well.
Don’t have the time to clean your house or office? You can hire professional cleaners from Helping Hands Cleaning Services. We can take the chore of cleaning your house or office cleaning off your hands. We also offer commercial cleaning and move-in move-out cleaning. We do Covid-19 coronavirus sanitizing as well. For inquiries, call us at (630) 530-1324 or you can reach us through this line here.