If your home has a stale, musty scent, there could be a handful of explanations, including a plumbing leak, high humidity, poor airflow, dirty HVAC equipment, or soiled carpet.
If your home or clothing smells musty, chances are you have mold or mildew hiding out. While other things — like a lack of ventilation or high levels of humidity — can make a musty odor more noticeable, they typically are not the primary cause of the smell.
If your room smells musty, it could be caused by something called microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). The Environmental Protection Agency says, “because mVOCs often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can be the source of the “moldy odor” or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth.
Damp smells are usually caused by mold, mildew, or moisture accumulating in a stuffy part of the home. Not only is the smell unpleasant and embarrassing, but it is also unsafe for your health. Sometimes the source or area affected by damp smells can be obvious, like stains on the walls that indicate a broken pipe.
Pinpoint the source of the damp smell. Check areas where condensation builds up such as walls of near-bathroom areas, AC vents, AC filters, behind large pieces of furnishing, look at your window sills, inspect the carpets, rugs, towels, and library. Check where light does not shed and air barely flows.
There's a musty smell in your home
Moisture in the air tends to hold and trap odor, Bautista says. A dehumidifier will dry out the air and take away this moldy scent.
If you've noticed a musty smell in your home, it could be due to mold growth in hidden areas. Having an air purifier running in places that smell musty can not only remove the smell but can also improve the health of the air in the space.
Bottom line: If you can't actually see mold, it's almost never a problem. The musty smell you ask about doesn't necessarily mean there are mold spores present, but can simply indicate you need more ventilation with fresh air.
The primary difference between moldy and musty odors is in the strength of the smell; musty odors are usually not as strong as moldy odors.
Some people have mould or mildew and they've become so used to smelling it that they don't notice it. That might seem difficult to believe to some people, but it's easier than you think if the mould has built up very slowly over time. You can easily get familiar with the damp smell and ignore it.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
So, dehumidifiers don't kill mould, but they can help to prevent it from growing inside your home by reducing humidity. However, the best way to deal with it is to get rid of its source.
An air purifier is your best bet to improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens. A dehumidifier is a clear choice if you're concerned about high humidity levels and potential mold growth. However, if you live in a humid climate or the air in your home feels stifling, a dehumidifier can regulate the humidity level.
Air purifiers help capture mold spores from the air, preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout your home. While air purifiers won't help treat active mold that's already present on surfaces, they are a great way to control the spread of airborne mold particles.
These are really great at getting rid of musty air caused from poor plumbing, old house odors, and bed accidents that have evaporated and filled the rooms & halls during the night.
Open windows and doors to allow air to circulate freely, and use fans to speed up the drying process. If possible, use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air. A dehumidifier absorb moisture from the air, which helps to reduce dampness and prevent mould growth.
How Long To Run Your Dehumidifier? So to recap, run your dehumidifier unit for at least 12 hours a day. This is a good rule of thumb. Again, it's okay if you don't stick to this schedule every day, but be aware that the more your family runs your dehumidifier unit the fresher and cleaner it will be all year long.
Mold and mildew
The most common cause of a sudden musty smell in a house, especially in winter, is the development of mold and mildew, often caused by humid conditions and condensation. A musty smell, accompanied by dark discoloration on walls, furnishings, ceilings, or carpets can be the first sign of spores.
You'll likely use a mold test kit with tape strips to lift a sample for surface testing. Or, you might use a swab to send a sample into a lab or spread a sample on a petri dish for evaluation. When testing the air for mold, the best option is typically an air pump that collects samples for evaluation in a laboratory.
It's often described as musty and earthy, and may even smell like rotting vegetables or plants. You might notice a musty smell, but not be able to see any mold growing. In this case, you should look for areas that might be exposed to water.
Yes, if you have damp and mould in your home you're more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.