Why does my basement smell musty? I pull my clothing out of the washing machine and they smell musty! These are common questions. A musty smell can become unbearable and uncomfortable for most people at home.
First, let’s clarify that bad odors don’t necessarily mean you have a huge issue, but they could be signs of mold growth or other problems.
Before learning how to remove bad odors at home, it’s essential to understand the principles of odor decontamination as outlined by the IICRC. These principles apply to any odor decontamination process and will help you customize your plan of action.
Deodorization and Odor Control Principles
- Identification and Removal of Source as possible.
- Cleaning of contamination from surfaces.
- Recreate the conditions of penetration.
- Seal (Encapsulate).
Identification and Odor Source Removal
Now that you understand the four principles, it’s time to find the source of the odor. Start by identifying areas with high humidity, as moisture is a key factor in producing bad smells. Look for water leaks, condensation, or poor ventilation, which can create high humidity levels.
High temperatures can also contribute to odors. Check for warm areas, which may not be immediately noticeable. You might have hidden water leaks between walls that require a thermal camera to detect.
If you’re struggling to find the source, consider hiring a professional for an inspection.
How to Find Growing Mold
Concerned about odors from mold? Mold needs three things to grow: water, food, and temperature.
Water means high humidity. Look for sources of moisture in your home.
Food for mold includes organic materials like cotton, wool, paper, leather, wood, or surfaces coated with organic matter such as food, grease, and soil.
Mold often grows in unexpected places, such as perimeter walls due to water intrusion from the outside or bathrooms around showers. Use your nose to help locate mold.
Mold thrives in temperatures between 77 to 86 degrees. This temperature range indicates ideal conditions for mold growth.
Professional help may be needed for detecting and removing mold, as improper removal can lead to health risks.
Most Common Places for Sources of Odors
Bathrooms: Around the shower, under the sink, around the toilet, tile floors, and corners.
Kitchens: Check under the sink, around the refrigerator, trash can, and water dispenser machine.
Laundry Room: Around the washer, inside the washer, and under any sink. Inspect the washer door seals.
Utility Closet: Check around the water heater, sink, any water lines, and the furnace.
Basement: Examine perimeter walls and ceilings for watermarks, a common sign of mold.
Attic and Crawlspace: Inspect water lines and most surfaces.
Windows: Check window seals for condensation and framing for water leaks.
These are common areas to check, but also follow your nose as mentioned earlier.
Get Rid of the Bad Odor Source
Sometimes the easiest way to eliminate bad odors is by fixing water leaks. Once you address the water source, the odor usually dissipates.
Be cautious when removing the source of the odor, as it might be best to let a professional handle the cleaning.
High humidity creates a musty smell. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce humidity levels in your home. Check out this recommended dehumidifier:
Cleaning the Surface
Cleaning methods vary depending on where the odor originates. For wooden surfaces, use a wood cleaner and follow label instructions. Avoid aggressive cleaners that may damage the finish.
Cleaning Finished Wood
Use a wood cleaner rather than a multipurpose cleaner to avoid damaging the wood. We recommend this wood cleaner from Amazon:
Green Cleaning Method
For a green cleaning method, use distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for 30 minutes to penetrate. You can also use baking soda to neutralize the surface and accelerate odor removal. After applying either, wipe the surface with a terry towel. If needed, use liquid dish soap and a sponge for deeper cleaning. Rinse with clean water and dry the area by opening windows or using a fan or portable heater.
Cleaning Mold
Mold cleaning should be done by a professional to avoid improper handling and cross-contamination. The EPA recommends hiring a specialist if:
- The moldy area is more than 10 square feet.
- Your HVAC system has mold.
- The mold growth is on walls, floors, or ceilings.
- You have health issues that could be worsened by mold exposure.
If you choose to clean mold yourself, follow these steps, but professional help is still recommended:
- Wear a full face mask with the proper cartridges for mold.
- Wear a full-body suit and dispose of it afterward.
- Seal any vents in the cleaning area to prevent cross-contamination.
- Create a containment zone with plastic to reduce exposed areas.
- Rent a HEPA Filter air scrubber and create a negative pressure system.
- Duct clean air from the air scrubber out of the containment area to capture mold spores in the HEPA filter.
- Vacuum the affected area with a HEPA Filter vacuum cleaner.
- Scrub and wipe down the affected area.
- Dispose of any porous materials in a sealed bag.
- Wipe down before removing the containment area to avoid cross-contamination.
Recreate the Conditions of Penetration
After cleaning, ventilate the area to bring in fresh air. Natural ventilation is the easiest way to achieve this. For severe odor issues, consider additional steps and principles for odor removal.
Combining all the principles will help you completely remove the musty smell. Odors can penetrate surfaces, so addressing the source is crucial.
- Masking – Using pleasant fragrances or odorizers to mask the smell.
- Pairing – Combining with malodors to produce a non-odorous substance.
- Oxidizers – (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) destroy odors.
- Oxidizing gas – (e.g., ozone) destroys odors through ozone O3 for permanent results.
