How to Get Rid of Old House Smell – Remove Musty Odor

Whether you’ve bought an older home or inherited it, it is important to get rid of that “old house smell”.

This is true whether you are planning on living there, renting it, or selling it.

Not only are those smells unbearable to live in, but they are also unhealthy and unsanitary to live in, and in some cases, downright dangerous. 

In this article we’ll discuss some ways to remove old house smell and that nasty musty odor. 

What causes a bad smell in old houses?

The most common bad smells in older homes are mold, mildew, and poor air circulation. Many times, if there is mold, it is hidden in the walls.

No matter how well-built a house is, water eventually gets into it. Roofs encounter damage, pipes leak, and water splashes onto the floors. And as a result, water seeps into the soil that is under the house. And as a result, a musty smell emerges. 

In addition to leaky piping and other scenarios mentioned above, some other common causes of a musty smell include the following: 

• Gutter issues
• Poor ventilation in bathrooms and the kitchen 
• The buildup of condensation on window frames. 

A musty smell may be an early indication of a mold problem. So, if there’s a musty smell, you should check your home for mold. Other than that, a stale, musty odor could come from poor air circulation. 

7 Ways That Help to Get Rid of old House Smell

1.   Know Where the Smell is Coming From

You may not remove the smell when you don’t know where it is coming from and the cause of the smell. Keep in mind, however, that older homes are usually darker and have no good ventilation systems, unlike more modern homes.

And thus, poor ventilation leads to dampness, and the combination of poor ventilation and dampness is an incubating field for the development of mold. 

When you think of moisture, poor ventilation, and darkness, the kitchen and bathrooms are the first to consider. And of course, it is imperative to check all over the home, especially the roof, walls, and basement. 

2. Observe the Upholstery and Carpets 

Carpets are notorious for collecting odors. With all the traffic that carpets and all that included, carpets will collect dirt, moisture, and soon afterward, mold spores.

Upholstery collects these things as well. This nasty collection will only multiply if they are not adhered to for a while and have poor circulation.

So, if you want to keep the carpet and upholstery, it will behoove you to get a professional deep cleaning Otherwise, replace them. 

3. Allow Natural Air to Circulate

Whether you are throwing out old furniture and carpet or getting a deep cleaning of them, you still need to open all the windows and curtains.

Sunlight and fresh air are critical for getting rid of stagnant air in your home. The sunlight naturally disinfects due to its UV light. It offers an excellent defense against mildew and molds even as it creeps into the few darker corners. 

Your home will also be drier due to air circulation. So, the windows and curtains should be opened wide. Fresh air will get rid of that stuff, stale feel in certain rooms. Also, using fans to promote air circulation in tougher-to-reach areas works wonders. There will be no refuge for mold and mildew with sunlight and air flow. 

4. The Use of Vinegar and Baking Soda

If you don’t prefer to use strong chemicals, you can use vinegar and baking soda. You can spray vinegar throughout all the rooms in the house. You can also spray it on any type of furniture. 

Sprinkle baking soda on the flooring and carpets and flooring of the old home. Letting the baking soda sit overnight will also absorb any terrible odor. The next day, sweep or vacuum up the baking soda.  

You also can freshen the wall by spraying it or wiping it with a vinegar mix. Just like carpets, walls may harbor smells of mildew, dust, and grease. Make a vinegar mix by combining a bucket of hot water, 16 oz of hydrogen peroxide, a cup of borax, and two cups of vinegar. 

5. Diluted Bleach

You can use diluted bleach to spray and wipe up mildew and mold. Otherwise, you should consult a professional for larger mold problems. 

6. Antibacterial Products

Use antibacterial to clean your home. Cleaning alone may not get rid of the source of the odor. However, these products will kill any odor-causing bacteria. 

7. Cleaning out the HVAC System

The ducts and vents and ducts that facilitate the HVAC system that run through the home can soon get dirty. This will lead to the festering of mold if it’s not taken care of. So, replace or clean the filters. Otherwise, obtain professional services to check and clean the vents.

Is a Musty House Smell Dangerous?

Musty smells may be an indicator of mold, and some types of mold are dangerous. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that most mold problems in homes that are lower than 10 square feet are safe enough for you to clean up. Otherwise, you should hire a professional. The EPA website also states the different types of mold and other viable information. 

What can Absorb bad Odors?

There are various items around your home that can absorb odors, which include the following: 

Vinegar

Vinegar is an effective odor-removing product. The smell of it is not pleasant,  but it only takes a few hours after being applied to surfaces to go away.  

So, just combine a cup of water and a cup of vinegar in a spray bottle and spray your carpet to get rid of animal smells.  Put a bowl of it in a discreet area in your home to absorb the smell of cigarette smoke. Other than that, you can spray it on your walls, air, and your furniture. 

Fruit

Boil a piece of apple, orange, apple, tangerine, and lemon in a pan of water for about 60 minutes to absorb odors and release a fresh scent. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda is very effective. Put it in your washing machine, your trash, and on any surface by sprinkling it on it. Sweep it up after an hour. 

Kitty Litter

Place unscented kitty litter in discreet areas in your house to absorb odors. 

Lemon Juice

In addition to the fruit application as mentioned above, you can mix it with water in a spray bottle. Spray it in the air, on surfaces, and on furniture. 

Final Words

It is important to get rid of that “old house smell”. This is true whether you are planning on living there, renting it, or selling it. 

The most common bad smells in older homes are mold, mildew, and poor air circulation. Many times, if there is mold, it is hidden in the walls.

No matter how well-built a house is, water eventually gets into it. Roofs encounter damage, pipes leak, and water splashes onto the floors.

Musty smells may be an indicator of mold, and some types of mold are dangerous. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that most mold problems in homes that are lower than 10 square feet are safe enough for you to clean up. 

With all this said, you must get rid of these issues or hire professionals to check it up and clean.