Conquering Musty Odors

Musty odors can be difficult to cover up, track down, get rid of, and most importantly prevent. Use this guide to help your home to have good smelling and healthy air.

Masking the smell:

Spray FeBreeze on carpet and upholstery.

Simmer cinnamon sticks and cloves.

Use crushed lava rock or charcoal to absorb odor.

Light scented candles.

Plug in air fresheners (can be found at Bath and Body Works).

Use Damp Rid bags (can be found at Walmart).

Decorate with fresh flowers.

Boil vanilla in water.

Place a box of open baking soda in each room.

Put mothballs in pantyhose and tie them onto your rafters about 6 feet apart.

Put a container of vinegar in each room and open windows at both ends for air to flow through and out. Use fans to help the airflow.

Finding the Source of the Smell:

Check the air ducts.

Check for a stronger smell in outlet boxes which means the mold is in the walls (remove outlet plates to smell).

Check windows for mold.

Check for plumbing leaks and moisture issues in the basement and crawlspace.

Check attics for mold and roof leaks.

Smell the carpet (especially under windows).

Ask a building inspector.

Ask a Certified Industrial Hygienist to use their moisture reader and to look for mold.

Ask a structural engineer to use infrared camera to detect mold.

Fixing the Problem:

Wash walls with ammonia or vinegar.

Steam clean or replace carpet.

Air out mattresses and fluff pillows in the dryer.

Use a Hepa Vacuum and change the filters.

Use OdoBan or Nature’s Miracle, or Out or other deodorizing cleaning products that contain enzymes that digest odor causing bacteria. Repeat uses will help.

Run bleach through the washer in an empty cycle to clean out hose.

Clean floors with vinegar.

Clean the coffee filter.

Wash all clothes-try powdered detergent or Charlie’s soap. Use hot water and bleach when washing towels and hot or warm water with ammonia for musty clothes.

Don’t overfill washer or use too much detergent.

Clean with Lysol.

Use facemask and gloves and scrub mold and walls with Clorox–this is what the pro’s use. Make sure you have good ventilation.

Re-paint using a product like Kilz. Once odor is absorbed in the walls it is necessary to seal and prime and repaint.

Clean air ducts.

Preventing reoccurrence of the problem:

Re-caulk around sinks tubs and windows.

Arrange furniture so air can circulate properly.

Keep AC running.

Check humidity with hydrometer–maintain humidity at 35%-55%.

Use a dehumidifier.

Make sure drain spouts are clean of debris and carry water away from structure Make sure soil is sloped to carry water away from structure.

Run fans.