If your home has a stale, musty scent, there could be a handful of explanations, including a plumbing leak, high humidity, poor airflow, dirty HVAC equipment, or soiled carpet.
If your home or clothing smells musty, chances are you have mold or mildew hiding out. While other things — like a lack of ventilation or high levels of humidity — can make a musty odor more noticeable, they typically are not the primary cause of the smell.
Locate the Source of the Musty Smell
Begin your search in areas that are often warm and moist, like a bathroom. Check for mildew growth in the shower, on the shower curtain, and leaks around sinks, tubs, and toilets. In the kitchen, look for leaks around the sink and dishwasher.
The most likely cause of a musty smell in a home is mold. Actively growing molds release Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) that frequently have a distinct odor. The good news is that when damp conditions in a closed-up house cause mold or mildew to grow, it is usually someplace you can see it.
The mold you can smell is harmless in most cases, but if it's particularly strong, it's a good idea to get it tested by an HVAC professional.
The musty or mouldy smell is a sign that something is not right in your home. Mouldy and musty smells are similar in nature and both are caused by the presence of mould or mildew. Mould and mildew are both fungi and grow in the presence of moisture, or water.
Often, the act of drying something out completely will help with the odor. However, when it gets damp again (like in July and August) the odor may come back. It may be best to either re-upholster the furniture or dispose of it if you cannot get rid of the smell.
These compounds are known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). Because mVOCs often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can be the source of the "moldy odor" or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth. A moldy odor suggests that mold is growing in the building and should be investigated.
If you've noticed a musty smell in your home, it could be due to mold growth in hidden areas. Having an air purifier running in places that smell musty can not only remove the smell but can also improve the health of the air in the space.
If you have identified mold in your home or still can't find the source of the mold smell, the trouble might be hidden inside your air vents, ducts, or HVAC. Contact us today for the HVAC inspection and repairs you may need to remedy the situation and free your home from that elusive musty smell.
It's often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants.
The lack of ventilation in houses is one of the key aspects of a property having a musty smell. It is also one of the leading causes of the build up of condensation.
If your home has a stale, musty scent, there could be a handful of explanations, including a plumbing leak, high humidity, poor airflow, dirty HVAC equipment, or soiled carpet.
There's a musty smell in your home
When you walk into your home, you want it to smell clean and fresh. Moisture in the air tends to hold and trap odor, Bautista says. A dehumidifier will dry out the air and take away this moldy scent.
The main way to tell the two apart is how strong the odor is that you smell. Musty odors are not as strong as moldy odors. Either way, smelling a musty or moldy order should alert you to the possibility of mold growth.
The smell of mold is usually quite foul and unpleasant, and it grows stronger over time as the mold starts to spread and sporulate. “Musty” and “stale” are the most accurate descriptors of what mold smells like. The musty odor is a result of the hodgepodge of mVOCs produced by the mold and released into the air.
Vinegar and baking soda are odor neutralizers that can help remove musty odors. They are eco-friendly, safe to use, and stop odors from forming on contact.
Its smell is often described as musty and earthy, similar to the scent of dirt or wet, rotting leaves. If you see black spots or black dust appearing around air vents, there's a good chance that mold is growing inside.
Baking soda is one of the best items you can use to absorb bad smells. You can leave an open box or bowl of baking soda in your refrigerator and sprinkle some in the bottom of your trash cans to neutralize foul odors that tend to develop in these places.
Some of the best odor eliminators are coffee grounds, tea, vinegar, oats, and baking soda. Leaving a bowl of any of these odor absorbers out in a room that's due for a little freshening up will help clear out the less-than-pleasant smells from the air.
The acetic acid in vinegar neutralizes alkaline odors, which means it can help get rid of cooking smells cheaply and easily.
Symptoms of mold exposure may include headache, sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and fatigue. In those with asthma, asthma attacks can occur. In those with impaired immune systems, serious infection can occur.