How to Get Rid of Damp Smell in Your House
A musty smell in the home is caused by excessive moisture from one of its areas. It can also be caused by mould and mildew which are black and green stains that release allergic spores.
That makes a house uncomfortable and sickening to live in and if not dealt with immediately, it can worsen in degree and destroy your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom’s interior.
But, if discovered early, you may not have to rely on a qualified moisture damage specialist. So, below are the things you can do to get rid of the damp smell in your house:
1) Find out the source
First, you have to investigate what’s been causing the damp scent in your house. Otherwise, you will just consume time and effort by fixing your things randomly or leaving a dehumidifier somewhere.
The problem can only be minor like a wet towel left in the cabinet or flooded shoes to more complex problems like a leaking pipe or roof damage.
Once you discover the main issue, you can then efficiently plan out how you can solve it or if it’s better to get a mould and mildew removal expert.
2) Repair the structural issue
The safety of your family and home comes first, so you would have to DIY or get someone to repair the structural faults related to plumbing, flooring, and the walls and ceilings.
The same goes for your broken washer or dryer so dirty and/or wet clothing won’t accumulate, which can foster fungi growth and musty smells.
3) Clean the bathroom walls
It’s easy to see mould formations in your shower walls and floors. Without a doubt, this should be the cause of the musty odour.
If this is your situation, proceed to clean the walls using an effective cleaning agent, water, and sponge. But, don’t forget to wear a mask, goggles, and long gloves to protect yourself from the spores (by either touching or inhaling them) and chemical cleaner splashes.
You can use an antifungal cleaner to kill mould and mildew before scrubbing them out with a sponge or brush.
Afterwards, apply a bleach and water solution to remove tough stains, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing them off. Then, spritz white vinegar to weaken the fungi and prevent them from re-growing, let the surface dry, and ventilate the bathroom.
4) Deodorise appliances
If the damp smell comes from your appliances, such as the washer, dryer, fridge, or oven, you have to clean them using an appropriate solution, plus, baking soda.
For the washing machine, rinse it for one cycle with baking soda. As for the fridge, oven, or dryer, place a cup of baking soda inside it and wait for 24 hours before removing it.
The musty odour and bacteria should have gone by then from your valued home devices.
5) Open the windows
Whether it’s warm or cold outside, moisture can build up in your home. This also happens after a rain or storm, since the water will evaporate and transfer its moisture content to the surrounding air, which then goes into your house.
So, aim to frequently open your windows, blinds, and doors, as well as closets and cabinets so the air can circulate freely. Otherwise, moisture will be trapped inside that can make your room and furniture smell musty.