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Even if you vacuum regularly, when the weather turns humid and cool (think right around this time of year), your carpet will be absorbing all the extra moisture in your house. The musty smell results from that moisture 'activating' the dust and bacteria inside your carpet, often including mould spores. The best thing to do is do give your carpet a good deep shampoo, or at least clean it with baking soda. If you have a steam cleaner, that's another great way to get rid of that musty smell. Once you've identified the source of the musty odor, it's time to get rid of it.
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Let it sit on the affected area for about minutes, then vacuum it up. Once you find any areas with mold or mildew, do some deep cleaning in and around the affected area. Being able to identify whether it’s mold or mildew will determine how you clean.
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It’s that old musty smell you probably recognize from plenty of basements and thrift stores, but don't want in your own home. According to Robin Murphy of ChirpChirp Cleaning, it’s crucial to get to the bottom of the scent as soon as you can. If the temperature is 65f to 75f and low humidity – fresh air flowing through the house can help. If the outside air is humid or has bad smells or lots of dust, keep the windows closed.
Open your doors and windows.
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Luckily, this cause of a musty smell may be the easiest to fix because all you will need to do is clean the windows and open them more often to have your home smelling fresh. That said, you will need the best cleaning products, including a grout cleaner, a spray bottle, and a damp cloth, to get started. The HVAC filter and ductwork often accumulate dust and debris, thus making it difficult for the system to function as it should. In another instance, the system may trap moisture, leading to mold growth. As a result, turning on the HVAC system will distribute the musty smell throughout your house. We’ve all been there—you walk into a room and a familiar but unpleasant scent hits your nostrils.
While a musty smell in a home is more often than not a symptom of mold and mildew, sometimes a musty smell is the result of a lack of ventilation and a build up of dust and grime. The thought of eating moldy food can be stomach-turning but refrigerators are common breeding grounds for the stuff. The musty odors inside come from mold and bacteria that can take over when there is enough moisture present. The dampness could be a symptom of humidity in the room, condensation inside the fridge, or rotten and spilled food. The mess can be hidden in far corners where it isn't easily seen, and the growth might not be noticed until the musty smell announces its presence.

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However, some musty smells could be signs of something more sinister, like damp and mold, and the causes will need treating as soon as possible. Running a dehumidifier can reduce excess moisture in the air, decreasing the chances of bad smells. Remember to use exhaust fans in the bathroom and other moisture-prone areas in the home. To realistically deal with musty smells in your home, you must first identify what’s causing the odors. The stale, stuffy, damp smell is often an indication that mold is growing somewhere in your house—but that is not always the case.
Then it’s only a matter of time until mold starts growing in areas of the house with excess moisture or water. What’s more, high humidity can lead to the development of mold and mildew, adding to the smell and creating a health hazard too. Trying to work out what humidity your house should be in winter can be difficult.
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In addition, rugs also have to be thoroughly cleaned every 12 to 18 months, depending on the material and how absorbent they are. If your kid accidentally spills their drink on the carpet or if your dog urinates on it or walks all over it with its muddy paws, that carpet has to be cleaned thoroughly. As you know, mold can cause several health-related problems for you and other household members.
Whether or not a musty smell can make you sick depends on the cause of the odor. If the smell is caused by dampness and mold, then the smell could cause adverse health effects as you breathe in spores. In addition to the methods above, air purification is one of the most effective methods of dealing with a musty smell in your house.
They often just mask the odor and do little to address the real problem. Our houses rely on good HVAC systems to maintain healthy indoor air quality. But, when these systems malfunction, there may be increased air pollution, such as an unpleasant musty smell. So, after eliminating the above possibilities, consider getting a professional to look at your HVAC if you still smell the musty smell. Many front load washers retain a little water at the base of the unit.
Dry rubber sponges are good for removing dust and dirt from walls, and rugs and carpets can be laundered or shampooed to remove odors. There is not one homeowner on Earth who wants their guests to take a whiff of their home and wrinkle their nose in disgust. Carpets are like sponges, absorbing all kinds of smells, particles, and lots and lots of moisture.
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