Strong odors in a home happen more often than you know, especially in older homes, damp bathrooms, or secret rooms. Mildewy, moldy odors are nasty enough by themselves; they typically indicate that something is causing it to continue, like inadequate air circulation or hidden mold.
Getting rid of musty odors not only makes your home odor-free, but also maintains your health. Mold spores and allergens can compromise air quality, leading to breathing issues. Below is a step-by-step process on how to naturally eliminate musty odors, clean your house effectively, and select the correct equipment to leave your environment clean and fresh.
What Makes the House Smell Moldy
Knowing where the smell is coming from is the first Step to getting rid of it for good. Smells such as that are usually caused by standing water, most often, but the cause will be particular.
Common Causes
- Mold and Mildew: The biggest culprit, mainly in warm, humid areas such as basements or behind the stove.
- Low Air Flow: Water will build up in low-air-flow areas, and air will not move, causing clammy air.
- Carpet and Used Furniture: Stuffing will trap water, odor, and dust in the long term.
- Leaky Pipe or Leaky Roof: A slow, minor drip will produce a mold odor.
- Moist Basements or Crawl Spaces: These are generally most famous for being wet.
- Past Water Damage: Leaks or past flooding will supply covert mold colonies to grow.
Find the Odor
A majority of the musty odors are incorrectly diagnosed as another type of odor.
Musty = damp and earthy; moldy = sour and strong; chemical = toxic or artificial.
If the house is an old one, the smell may persist even after a light cleaning. It would be best to have a professional inspect for hidden mold or building defects.
How to Remove Musty Smell from House – Step by Step
Let us talk about one way of removing the foul smell from all corners of your home.
Step 1 – Identify and Remove the Cause
Before cleaning, find the source. Check ceilings and walls for water spots, behind appliances and under sinks for leaky faucets, and on vents or ducts for mold. Basement niches and crawl spaces are typically damp areas that cannot be avoided. Fix the leaks when discovered and dry them out with a machine, or simply open the windows on a dry, windy day to air out.
Step 2 – Clean All Surfaces Hygienically
Mold spores will adhere to nearly every surface, so all surfaces must be cleaned properly. Dust baseboards, clean grout on the tile in the bathroom, and disinfect furniture and floors with safe or natural cleaning products. The Microfiber Mop – Multifunctional Wet & Dry works well here, as it excels in removing moisture, dust, and mold particles and is suitable for both dry dusting and wet mopping behind furniture and along edges.
Step 3 – Deodorize Soft Fabrics and Materials
Soft fabrics are probably the worst stink magnets in the home. Items that can be washed, such as pillowcases, curtains, and bedding, can be treated with vinegar or baking soda to eliminate odors. A fabric steamer is fantastic on couches and carpets, and holdover stains can be corrected by sprinkling baking soda over the area overnight and then vacuuming in the morning.
Step 4 – Revitalize Air Flow
Stagnant, trapped air will hold odor-causing smells. Open vent windows and run fans to give cross-ventilation and push stale air out. Change HVAC filters to prevent blowing around wet particles. Place charcoal packets or coffee grounds inside closets, drawers, and other closed spaces to naturally absorb and trap odors over time.
Step 5 – Mop & Clean Regularly
The simplest way to eliminate a musty smell is by maintenance. Dust and moisture build up extremely fast, especially where least anticipated to do so, in crevices or hidden places. The Hands-Free Flat Mop & Bucket Set makes everyday mopping effortless, even around furniture, appliances, and tight crevices. Establish a cleaning schedule to keep fresh air and odors at bay for good.
How to Remove Musty Smell at Home Naturally
Looking for nature-based deodorizing solutions to use in your home? These natural solutions are effective, cheap, and pet and child-friendly.
Natural Solutions
White Vinegar Spray: One part vinegar and two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray walls, tiles, and wood surfaces.
Baking Soda: Sprinkle closets, shoes, drawers, or sprinkle directly on carpets.
Houseplants:such as spider plants, peace lilies, and ferns, naturally absorb toxins and provide fresh air.
Salt Bowls: Place small bowls of salt in humid areas—it quietly absorbs moisture.
Homemade Air Fresheners
- Boil lemon, orange, or herb rind on your stove in water.
- Activated charcoal lies in cloth bags in the storage room.
- They all work without chemicals or artificial scent.
How to Eliminate Musty Smell in an Old House or Basement
Old houses and basements need special care because they absorb moisture for decades. Inspect behind walls for wood decay or yellowed insulation. Replace moldy carpeting or thoroughly clean using a professional-strength cleaner. If using an ozone generator, follow instructions and leave the room when in use.
Recommended Tool: Dust Mop Extension Handle
Best for dusting out-of-the-way, high areas such as ceiling beams and behind oversized furniture—places where dust and mold love to grow.
How to Get Rid of Musty Water Smell at Home
At times, the cause of the damp odor is your water system.
Plumbing or Tap Smell
- Clean P-traps under sinks
- Flush pipes using a combination of white vinegar and hot water
- Run a vinegar or baking soda cycle in washing machines and dishwashers
Drain and Toilet Odors
- Drop boiling water and vinegar down infrequently used drains
- Clean toilet rims and under seats with mold-safe cleaners
- Ensure vent pipes on the roof are clear
- For cleaning the bathroom, check out our complete guide on cleaning bathtubs and bathrooms
Maintenance Tips for Keeping Odors Away
Prevention is the best medicine. After the mold odor has been eliminated, regular maintenance will help prevent it from returning. Here is a fast maintenance check-off list:
Weekly and Monthly Routine
- Occasionally open windows to decrease moisture buildup in the air.
- Use baking soda or charcoal in areas such as closets, storage containers, and shoe closets to absorb excess moisture and odor.
- Develop regular dusting and mopping, especially around the places that are exposed to moisture, like the laundry room and bathrooms.
- There should never be wet towels and clothes at home; hang them to dry outside or dry them in an open area.
- Vacuum the floor legs of furniture and the beds to get rid of sequestered dust and animal dander, which would cause odor.
- Replace air purifiers and HVAC filters every 1–2 months to provide effective indoor air quality.
- Maintain healthy, trimmed houseplants; water-soaked plants leave the soil smelling.
- Regular cleaning to provide a pathway for air to circulate and prevent dust from settling in out-of-the-way areas.
- Operate ceiling or exhaust fans 15–30 minutes a day in poorly ventilated rooms.
- Dry and clean pet beds, laundry baskets, and exercise bags since they soak up odors easily.
Best Tools to Eliminate Musty Odors from Home
These are the top cleaning gadgets for homes that struggle with stubborn odors. They’re perfect for homeowners, Airbnb hosts, and property managers, as well.
Microfiber Mop – Wet & Dry
Picks up dirt, moist mold, and mold spores with a single smooth glide. Ideal for wood, tile, and vinyl floors.
Hands-Free Flat Mop & Bucket Set
Engineered for effectiveness. Ideal for everyday cleaning and mopping under furniture or in compact bathrooms.
Dust Mop with Extension Handle
Dust Mops with Extension Handles are Ideal for baseboards, ceiling fans, under furniture, and vents—no need to use a ladder to clean high corners.
Final Thoughts – Saying Goodbye to Odors Forever
Unpleasant odors don’t have to be in your house. Deodorizers, regular maintenance, and proper equipment can help you refresh your home’s atmosphere and air.
Eliminate stale odors with cleaning equipment designed for today’s eco-conscious homeowner and hectic lifestyle. Breathe easy. knowing your home is clean, healthy, and odor-free.
Eliminate Odors With Premium Supplies
Tackle musty smells quickly and effectively with Jesun’s professional cleaning tools, built for the demands of modern homes and busy, high-traffic spaces. From deep-cleaning brushes to versatile mops, Jesun helps you refresh every surface with ease, so your space smells as clean as it looks. Check out our inventories of Mops, buckets, sweeps, and smart sales. And if you would like a customized quote, please contact us now.
FAQs
Can books and paper cause a musty smell in a room?
Yes. Old books and documents absorb moisture and release a stale, papery odor. Store them in dry, well-ventilated areas with silica gel packs or activated charcoal nearby.
Is it safe to use essential oils to mask musty smells?
Yes, but essential oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemon do more than mask—they contain natural antifungal properties. Use them in diffusers or diluted sprays for the best effect.
How long does it take to get rid of odor completely?
Small cases can be completed in a day or less. Bad mold issues can take weeks of cleaning, drying, and remediation.
Can houseplants help with musty air?
Some indoor plants, such as peace lilies or snake plants, can help improve air quality. While they won’t eliminate odors alone, they support overall freshness.
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