Some bad odours around the home are easy to identify. Musty smells can be harder to trace because they can have many different causes. Generally speaking, they’re caused by moisture and mould growth. Here are just a few different sources to consider when trying to get rid of a musty smell in your home.
Mould
If there’s visible mould on your walls or ceiling, this is likely to be the cause of the musty smell. Mould spores don’t just create a bad smell, but can cause respiratory issues and itchy eyes, so it’s important to eradicate any mould the moment you notice it. There are anti-mould sprays you can buy that will kill the mould in minutes. Mould tends to grow in damp, dark and warm places – check for hidden mould by looking in cupboards, behind furniture or above kitchen cabinets.
Water leaks
Leaking water can also lead to a musty smell. This is because the damp caused by the leak quickly leads to mould growth. Leaks can come from pipes or they can be caused by rainwater getting into your home. Damp patches, dripping sounds and mould growth are all signs that there may be a leak somewhere in your home. High water bills can meanwhile be a sign of a plumbing leak. Follow the smell of the odour and check the surrounding area for damaged pipes or cracks in walls.
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Air conditioning
Is the smell when your air conditioning is switched on? A dirty air conditioning system could potentially be causing the smell. Mould could be growing in your system and air conditioner cleaning could be required. A professional technician can clean your home’s air con system for you.
Clothes
Damp clothes could also be giving off a musty smell. Leaving clothes too long in the washing machine before drying them can lead to them developing an unpleasant odour – make sure to dry clothes immediately after washing them. Wet towels or swimwear that has been left in a bag could also be a cause of a musty smell.
Has your home got old carpets? It’s possible that these could be producing the musty smell. Moisture can get trapped in carpet fibres and over time this can become a breeding ground for mould. Cleaning your floor using a carpet cleaning machine could be necessary for getting rid of any mould, dirt or bacteria in it.
Furniture
Old fabric-covered furniture can also develop a musty smell. Mould can grow deep within the fabric and cushions, which can cause an odour. Deep-cleaning this furniture could be necessary for getting rid of the smell. There are furniture cleaning services that you can use, or you can follow some of these DIY couch-cleaning tips.
Pets
Finally, if you’ve got pets, you should consider whether they are the cause of the musty smell. Wet dog could be an obvious cause of a musty smell – by drying your dog with a towel or hair dryer after going for walks in the rain, you can stop this smell from taking over your home. Make sure that you’re also keeping your pets groomed and look out for yeast infections (common in ears and paws).
Some bad odours around the home are easy to identify. Musty smells can be harder to trace because they can have many different causes. Generally speaking, they’re caused by moisture and mould growth. Here are just a few different sources to consider when trying to get rid of a musty smell in your home.
Mould
If there’s visible mould on your walls or ceiling, this is likely to be the cause of the musty smell. Mould spores don’t just create a bad smell, but can cause respiratory issues and itchy eyes, so it’s important to eradicate any mould the moment you notice it. There are anti-mould sprays you can buy that will kill the mould in minutes. Mould tends to grow in damp, dark and warm places – check for hidden mould by looking in cupboards, behind furniture or above kitchen cabinets.
Water leaks
Leaking water can also lead to a musty smell. This is because the damp caused by the leak quickly leads to mould growth. Leaks can come from pipes or they can be caused by rainwater getting into your home. Damp patches, dripping sounds and mould growth are all signs that there may be a leak somewhere in your home. High water bills can meanwhile be a sign of a plumbing leak. Follow the smell of the odour and check the surrounding area for damaged pipes or cracks in walls.
Air conditioning
Is the smell when your air conditioning is switched on? A dirty air conditioning system could potentially be causing the smell. Mould could be growing in your system and air conditioner cleaning could be required. A professional technician can clean your home’s air con system for you.
Clothes
Damp clothes could also be giving off a musty smell. Leaving clothes too long in the washing machine before drying them can lead to them developing an unpleasant odour – make sure to dry clothes immediately after washing them. Wet towels or swimwear that has been left in a bag could also be a cause of a musty smell.
Carpets
Has your home got old carpets? It’s possible that these could be producing the musty smell. Moisture can get trapped in carpet fibres and over time this can become a breeding ground for mould. Cleaning your floor using a carpet cleaning machine could be necessary for getting rid of any mould, dirt or bacteria in it.
Furniture
Old fabric-covered furniture can also develop a musty smell. Mould can grow deep within the fabric and cushions, which can cause an odour. Deep-cleaning this furniture could be necessary for getting rid of the smell. There are furniture cleaning services that you can use, or you can follow some of these DIY couch-cleaning tips.
Pets
Finally, if you’ve got pets, you should consider whether they are the cause of the musty smell. Wet dog could be an obvious cause of a musty smell – by drying your dog with a towel or hair dryer after going for walks in the rain, you can stop this smell from taking over your home. Make sure that you’re also keeping your pets groomed and look out for yeast infections (common in ears and paws).
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