Musty Odor
A musty or moldy odor from clothes that have been packed away, from a car that hasn't been used for a while and from the basement are common occurrences. If the smell is invading your home or basement, be aware that in all likelihood, it is caused by mold and mildew. Molds that cause mildew to thrive in damp, warm, poorly lit areas, especially where air is not circulated. They usually grow on draperies, rugs and shower curtains, cotton, linen, silk, leather and wool. In addition to causing a musty odor in house, molds and mildew cause damage by discoloring fabrics and occasionally eating into them. They can also trigger allergies. The best way to prevent mildew is by keeping garments clean, and rooms well-ventilated and dry.
Getting Rid of Musty Odors...
... from the House
Eliminating the unwanted odor is an important step to discouraging further mold growth. One way to go about it is to make sure the area is dried and ventilated. To remove musty odor from basement, one should sprinkle chlorinated lime (commonly known as bleaching powder or chloride of lime) over the floor. When you find the musty odor disappearing, then sweep up the powder from the floor. Moldy odor removal from cement and tiles can be done by scrubbing all the affected surfaces with a very dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite. Alternately, you could use any diluted chlorine bleach. Remember to dilute the chemical being used so that you don't damage the surfaces. A good consistency is one-half to one cup of liquid household bleach to a gallon of water. Once you are done with the scrubbing, wash with clean water, and wipe as dry. Ensure the area is well ventilated till it dries thoroughly. Your other options for cleaning and sanitizing bathroom walls is aerosol sprays.
... from Clothes
To remove moldy odor from clothing, drapery or linens, soak them in a solution of water and vinegar for 30 minutes. You need to use 1 cup of white vinegar for a normal load in your washing machine. Then, run a regular wash cycle using a liquid, scented fabric softener. If you don't achieve results the first time, do it once again.
... from the Appliances
Musty odor removal from appliances (refrigerators, ovens, etc) that have not been used for a while can be done by making a paste out of baking soda and water, and then spreading it inside these appliances. Then, take sheets of old newspaper, crumple them, and stuff the spaces inside the appliance with them. Leave it this way for 24 hours or more, then remove the newspapers, and if possible, rinse with coated surfaces with water. If you cannot do this, wipe them clean with a wet cloth, and dry. If the odor is invading the refrigerator that you are using, just place an open box of baking soda in the back, and leave it there for a few days to work its magic.
Another suggestion to remove moldy odor from spaces is to place get (mesh) bags of crushed volcanic rocks and place them on the problem area according to the instructions they come with. For best results, position the bags at different levels in the room. For rooms and cabinets, there are a number of products available that may work. You could try a spray products such as Oust, or a place a container of DampRid in the closet. While these suggestions should solve your problem, if you find significant mold growth anywhere in the house, you should have it taken care of by professionals, as it can be toxic.
