The average American parent spends almost 24 hours cleaning their home every single month. Other Americans aren’t far off that number, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting your home to be presentable.
That’s why it’s so frustrating when you discover a musty smell in the home. Where has it come from when you keep a clean house? And how can you get rid of it?
Don’t worry, there are a few different causes of musty smells and none of them is your fault. Plus, they’re easy to fix. Read on to learn how to get rid of musty smells for good.
1. Mold and Mildew
Mildew and mold can sneak up on you without you realizing they’re there. They are the most common for a musty smell in the home.
Mildew is a furry fungus that often grows on walls, ceilings, shower curtains, and furniture. Moisture from showers and cooking appliances can cause it.
Mold is mildew’s more harmful cousin. It’s green and black and grows underneath surfaces. It can be hard to remove and the spores can damage your health.
If you have mold, it’s best to call a professional cleaner. But if you have mildew, put on gloves and wipe it away with a special fungal cleaning solution. Keep your windows and doors open as much as you can so the mildew can disappear through the air and not settle on your surfaces.
Buy an air purifier for the winter months when you need to keep your windows closed.
2. Leaky Pipes and Roof
Water damage is frustrating enough without getting musty odors in the home, too. But if you have leaky pipes or a leaky roof, getting bad smells in the home is inevitable.
The first thing you should do is, of course, fix your pipes and/or roof. The bad smell will keep returning if you don’t deal with the source.
If your pipes leaked onto your carpet, sprinkle baking soda on them before vacuuming it away. Carpet fibers can trap moisture, and this cleaning hack will make sure dirty water smells don’t stick.
3. Dirt in Your Crawlspace
Figuring out how to get rid of home odors coming from outside your home is a little tricky. But if you’ve searched high and low for the source of your musty smell, there’s a chance it’s coming from your crawlspace.
The source might not be pretty. It could be flooding, but it could also be a dead animal. If it’s not safe enough for you to check your crawlspace, hire a professional.
No dead animals but you’re still smelling a musty odor? Invest in a crawlspace dehumidifier that will clear out the moisture in the trapped air that is likely causing the smell.
Musty Smell in the Home? Get Rid of It Today!
No one likes a musty smell in the home. It’s unpleasant to live with and guests might think it’s you!
But now you have a better idea of what causes and fixes those bad odors, you can go back to living in a clean, fresh-smelling home.
Do you have other homeowner problems that you need to take care of? Lucky for you, our website has tons of helpful home, garden, and renovation tips to help you out.
