How to Get Rid of Musty Smells in Your Home & Laundry

Table Of Content

• How can I remove a musty smell from my towels?
• Should I use natural deodorizer to get rid of musty smells?
• How are air quality complaints resolved?
• We tried it: Does natural stain remover spray really work?
• What is the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and what does it do?
• The 20 Best Lawn Care Products for a Lush and Healthy Lawn

Rugs made from polyester and other synthetic materials can be machine washed safely, so you can do it at home. Rugs made from wool and other heavy materials may require the help of a professional rug cleaner. On the other hand, carpeted floors and rugs have to be vacuumed at least twice a week. In addition, rugs also have to be thoroughly cleaned every 12 to 18 months, depending on the material and how absorbent they are. If your kid accidentally spills their drink on the carpet or if your dog urinates on it or walks all over it with its muddy paws, that carpet has to be cleaned thoroughly. Dirt, spills, and messes are quite common, and even unavoidable, when you have little kids or pets in the household.

How can I remove a musty smell from my towels?

Lastly, remember that it’s difficult to remove every single spore in an area experiencing growth. If you use a DIY mold removal tactic, you could very well miss a few spores – and that’s not good. Before you know it, you’ll be facing another growth and experiencing even more health symptoms in your family. The side effects of mold don’t just manifest in humans, though.

Should I use natural deodorizer to get rid of musty smells?

When a room builds up too much humidity, it can cause mold issues on soft, porous surfaces and drywall. That means the damp small in your basement or crawl space is more than a malodorous inconvenience. “Black mold is particularly dangerous,” Tracy adds, pointing out that if left untreated, it may lead to health issues caused by mycotoxins.

How are air quality complaints resolved?

You may have mold on a hard surface like drywall or your bathroom ceiling, or a soft surface such as laundry or carpet. According to the EPA, it’s safe to DIY mold removal as long as the affected area is 10 square feet or less. For less toxic types of mold, you may be able to clean it yourself. So, if rooms that normally smell good suddenly have a musty odor you just can’t get rid of—you might need a professional to check behind the walls. In addition to creating an unpleasant odor, leaks can cause major problems with your home’s structure and negatively impact your health. If you go on vacation and come back to a musty house, odds are it's just a bit of mildew or stale bits.

We tried it: Does natural stain remover spray really work?

Unfortunately, you will most likely need to hire an HVAC professional to clean your air ducts. They have the skills and equipment to clean your air ducts without damaging them. You can expect to spend an average of $400 to clean your air ducts, but it varies based on the size of your house. When was the last time you had the air ducts in your house cleaned?

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What is the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and what does it do?

Open windows or kick on filters or fans to get fresh air moving and disperse the stale smell. Cold winter air can't hold as much moisture, plus we add heat, which dries air even more. Unfortunately, mold spores multiply quickly, and it doesn't take a huge colony to create odors. Promptly clean small areas of mildew (fungi that appear flat on a surface) or mold (fungi that appear raised and usually fuzzy), and monitor the site to prevent return growth.

The 20 Best Lawn Care Products for a Lush and Healthy Lawn

With ventilation, your home will smell less musty and become less appealing to mold and mildew. Getting rid of that musty smell in your home can be frustrating, especially when you’ve spent hours keeping it clean. Apart from the need to do more than just regular cleaning, it also points to more serious problems – mold and mildew. First, a cold window in a warm room is a magnet for condensation, which can lead to mold or mildew growth on the inside of the window.

Why You Shouldn’t Deal With Mold Alone

But if you have mold and mildew growth on easy-to-reach hard surfaces, scrub them off with liquid detergent and water. Remember to never leave any area in your house damp and moist as it can lead to more fungi and musty smells! Either way, once you’re sure you’ve removed all mold and mildew, seal the areas with primer or paint. Whether you find visible evidence of mildew or not, a musty smell signals that you need to increase air circulation in the home.

You can easily improve the airflow in your house if you open the windows. A musty or dusty smell is often a sign of mold or mildew, especially in humid or moisture-prone environments like the basement, laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom. Mold and mildew can create severe respiratory problems and can exacerbate allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals. Mold is the most common cause for musty odor, though it doesn’t necessarily mean the mold is out of control.

Secondly, excess moisture can damage your walls, floors, and ceilings. Third, look for mold growth on the attic floor or in other areas with poor ventilation. If you notice any of these signs, taking action immediately is vital. The first step is to identify the source of the leak and repair it. Besides having your HVAC systems cleaned, I also recommended having them inspected by a professional at least once every three months. It helps ensure your HVAC is working and doesn’t bring any musty odors into your home.

These chemicals can exacerbate asthma symptoms and elevate blood pressure, Johnston added, and long-term exposure can adversely affect respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Emissions from mobile sources, like cars, trains, and airplanes, are monitored by other agencies. A mold professional will come to your home equipped with the proper protective gear to stay safe while removing the mold. Additionally, they are well-trained to handle mold in the safest possible method, both to protect themselves and to protect your family. When you realize you have mold in your home, either because you smell it or see it, you might be tempted to try some DIY removal tactics right away.