Best Way To Get Rid Of Mold Smell

Best Way To Get Rid Of Mold Smell – Our current rental home is located in coastal North Carolina where the weather is hot and humid most of the year and we often pass through tropical storms and hurricanes. So it’s no surprise that the moment we first entered the house we smelled a strong musty smell. Today I’m going to share tenant-friendly ways to combat moisture, reduce odors, and improve air quality!

Camp Lejeune’s historic two-story homes are somewhat “notorious” for water-related issues. Instead of being over 70 years old, they have not received the modern upgrades needed to combat the extremely humid climate. Add to that: damage caused by several major natural disasters (eg Hurricane Florence); Some of these homes have mold, mildew, and other moisture-related issues (condensation, damp walls, etc.).

Best Way To Get Rid Of Mold Smell

I’m not going to get into a (very) sensitive discussion about why military families choose, expect, or live in these homes and what our management company is doing (or not doing) about moisture issues. Instead, I’m going to call a spade a spade here and yes… admit that these homes usually have moisture issues… .

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Our house wasn’t empty long before we moved in (maybe only a few weeks). It was never deserted, and never months or years passed without an inhabitant. I was well aware of the moisture problems in these houses, but I was surprised at how this happened

Even after a few months… rugs are laid, candles lit, windows open… every time I walk into the house, the “mattu” smell is still there.

Water damage to property that was not fully evacuated. It can be water seeping into carpets, fabrics, drywall, ceilings, and even cabinets and drawers.

If the musty smell is caused by water damage, the only way to get rid of it completely is to remove these items from the home.

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As a tenant, you probably won’t be dealing with water damage. If you suspect that the odor in your home is caused by water damage, ask your landlord or property manager to further investigate the source of the odor and abate it as needed. Always check with your leasing company to determine your rights and leverage in this situation.

Condensation between window panes can be an indicator of water damage. We are planning to replace this window in our family room.

However, even if there is no obvious water damage to property, if proper ventilation and circulation measures are not taken, excessive moisture can cause a “musty” smell in the house.

Additionally, if you live in a humid climate or in a home that faces water (like us!), you’ll want to take additional measures to reduce the humidity in your home (such as a dehumidifier). In this article, I share a lot of solutions to reduce humidity!

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Just because your house smells damp doesn’t mean mold is growing…but it could be! Exposure to mold poses serious health risks (such as allergies and asthma) and should be taken seriously. Here are a few indicators that you may actually have mold growth that definitely warrants further investigation by your landlord or property manager.

Finally, sometimes musty odors can be attributed directly to the appliance, usually the rubber seal of a front-loading washing machine or dishwasher. In these cases, you will only smell the odor near the unit.

These peculiar odors are usually treated by scrubbing the mold area with bleach and a sponge or running a special cleaning solution during the wash cycle.

Of course, as renters, we can’t cut up drywall or tear apart the basement to find the culprits of the smell. So there are two basic solutions to eliminate (or at least reduce) the musty smell in your rental property (besides asking management to investigate):

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Whether you suspect water damage or live in an exceptionally humid climate, reducing humidity in your home is the best way to reduce mold and mildew odors (and improve air quality as a result)! Here it is.

If your home is in a wet, humid climate (like ours), it’s essential to seal it as well as possible. If you’re constantly letting new moisture seep in, there’s no point in using the other odor-saving measures below.

So check all windows and doors to make sure they have tight seals to prevent moisture from entering.

Door Add a weather seal or new door sweep to ensure that moisture and water do not enter. If your property manager approves, you can install your own storm door for extra insulation.

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See that gap in your storm door that lets air in? We have an app to fix that!

Windows. Seal around window frames or add a protective film to ensure a tight seal (this also helps keep out the cold in winter!)

Fireplace. If the fireplace is not properly ventilated, water can reach the top of the chimney and stick to the flue walls. If you suspect your chimney may be the cause of the damp/odor, ask your landlord for a ventilation assessment. Alternatively, you can place a fireplace screen in front of the heater to prevent odors from entering the house (this also helps prevent drafts!).

Vents Finally, don’t forget to regularly clean all air ducts and vents, as they help remove the already humid air from your home.

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If these vents are clogged, moist air is trapped inside your home, increasing unpleasant odors.

Check your lease or rental agreement; Fan maintenance will be paid for by your landlord or property management company!

Running the air conditioner more often is one of the most effective ways to reduce humidity in the home (and thus reduce odors). Although I don’t understand the whole process, an air conditioner basically takes in moist air, draws in water to cool it, and then pushes the dried air into your home.

Continuous operation of the air conditioner can act as a dehumidifier; But if you still smell a musty smell, you have humidity that your air conditioner can’t handle. Investing in a dehumidifier may be worthwhile, especially in homes with very humid climates.

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We bought this large 1500 square foot dehumidifier for the center of the first floor. We have modified it to maintain a certain humidity and it works almost continuously.

Then we also put a small dehumidifier in one room of my son’s bathroom. (He loves it because it has cool color changing lights!)

A quality dehumidifier can be expensive. Shop these big-ticket items during Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day deals featuring big-name brands.

Stagnant air can cause your home to become more humid (which can lead to unpleasant odors). If possible, keep interior doors open and ceiling fans to allow air to circulate freely.

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Because poor airflow can cause this unpleasant odor to build up, it’s important to address tight spots that hold moisture, such as closets, drawers, and small rooms without windows (such as bathrooms and laundry rooms).

Wet bags/pouches and charcoal bags are great ways to add moisture to these areas.

Any hot water activity in the home produces steam, which then creates excess moisture. If your home’s moisture problems are severe, you may want to reduce the amount of time you use your shower, dryer, steam cleaners, or dishwasher.

Make sure that any equipment that uses ventilation (such as the furnace and fan) is properly adjusted so that warm air can escape from the home.

Essential Oils For Mold

Even if you make every effort to reduce the humidity in your home, you may still notice odors in your home. After doing the above, you can try to remove or replace any unpleasant odors you still smell. Here it is.

Air purifiers are one of the most effective ways to improve the air quality in your home. Although they don’t reduce humidity (like dehumidifiers), they can capture mold spores (from the air) and remove other air pollutants that cause odors.

In addition to odor control, we have these air purifiers in our kids’ bedrooms because they all have allergies.

Some plants are known to naturally purify the air (they also make great home additions!) Fill your home with air purifying plants of all sizes. Place it in as many rooms as possible, especially in areas where you feel the scent is strongest.

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Not sure what plants are best for your air? Here is the list I refer to all the time!

Are you overwhelmed in the plant department? I also! So I bought this package of air purifying plants from Amazon. Not only am I sure that I have plenty of plants known for their air-enhancing properties, but I am also sure.

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