Home Detox: Eliminating Stubborn Musty Smells

That persistent musty smell lingering in your home is more than just an unpleasant odor; it's a potential red flag for mold growth, which can negatively impact your health. At Euromaids, we specialize in deep cleaning services in Naperville, and we're here to help you reclaim a fresh, clean, and healthy living environment.

In this article, we'll tackle the issue of musty smells and mold head-on. We'll discuss what causes musty smells, provide effective strategies for eliminating them, and share valuable tips for preventing their return. Additionally, we'll delve into identifying potential mold growth in your home, discuss safe and effective cleaning methods, and guide you on when it's time to call in professional help.

What Causes Musty Smells?

Musty smells can arise from various sources, but the common denominator is often excess moisture. Let's expose some of the usual suspects:

Banishing Musty Odors: Your Step-by-Step Action Plan

Follow these straightforward steps to reclaim a fresh and inviting atmosphere:

1. Boost Air Circulation

Open windows and doors whenever possible to usher in fresh air. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens during and after showers or cooking. Consider using ceiling fans or portable fans to get the air moving and prevent stagnation.

2. Invest in an Air Purifier

An air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter can work wonders in removing musty odors, mold spores, and other allergens.

3. Do a Deep Cleaning

Give your home a thorough cleaning, paying close attention to moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms. Address any leaks or spills promptly to prevent further problems and eliminate potential sources of musty smells.

4. Clean Fabric with Baking Soda

Use baking soda to clean upholstery, carpets, and rugs. Sprinkle it and let it sit for a few hours to absorb odors, then vacuum it up for a fresh, clean scent.

5. Enhance Your Laundry Process

Don't let wet laundry pile up. Dry clothes completely in a well-ventilated area or use a clothes dryer to prevent moisture buildup and the resulting musty odors.

6. Change Air Filters Regularly

A clogged air filter restricts airflow and can trap musty smells. Regularly replace your air filters according to the manufacturer's instructions to keep your air fresh and clean.

7. Choose Natural Odor Removers

Place bowls of white vinegar or activated charcoal around your home to absorb and neutralize musty odors. These natural remedies are safe and effective in combating unpleasant smells.

8. Clean Your Pet Zones

Musty smells can cling to pet beds and toys. Wash pet bedding frequently and ensure proper ventilation in their areas to keep their spaces fresh and odor-free.

9. Control Humidity Levels

A dehumidifier is your ally, especially in basements and crawlspaces. Aim for a humidity level between 30% and 50% to discourage mold growth and maintain a comfortable environment.

10. Make Cleaning a Habit

Regular cleaning is key to preventing musty smells and mold growth. Schedule routine cleaning sessions for carpets, upholstery, and curtains. Focus on areas prone to moisture buildup, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Proactive Tips for Preventing Musty Smells

• Let the fresh air in: Make a habit of opening windows and doors regularly to encourage air circulation, particularly after showering, cooking, or cleaning.
• Address moisture issues: Quickly repair any leaky pipes, faucets, or roofs to eliminate moisture sources and prevent mold growth. Make sure bathrooms and kitchens are properly ventilated to reduce condensation and humidity.
• Dry clothes the right way: Dry clothes thoroughly using a dryer or hanging them outdoors in the sunshine. Avoid leaving damp laundry indoors for extended periods as this can lead to musty smells and encourage mold to flourish.

Signs Your Home Might Have a Mold Problem

There are a few ways to determine if your home has mold. Many of the ways to tell are visual, but this can depend on the type of mold you’re experiencing.

For instance, “alternaria” mold is one of the common allergenic molds, meaning you would notice symptoms like coughing or sneezing, like typical allergy symptoms. However, the most common mold in households is “aspergillus”, which you may notice as a dark buildup. Lastly, one of the more harmful forms is “stachybotrys,” also known as black mold, which can go as far as to cause flu-like symptoms.

Before you start researching how to kill mold in the house or outside surfaces, you’ll need to know if you have mold at all. Still debating if you have mold?

As explained above, musty odor can be a sign of mold growth.

Here are some additional indicators to watch for:

• Visible signs of mold and mildew growth on walls, ceilings, floors, or furniture;
• Discoloration or warping of building materials due to moisture and potential mold growth;
• Allergy or respiratory problems like stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes, which can be triggered by mold spores.

How to Get Rid of Mold in Your House

Let’s face it – figuring out how to remove mold from house surfaces is a challenging task and time-consuming enough, but the actual cleaning process can take a while, too. There’s a degree of time required and difficulty in removing mold efficiently, and while a pro can surely take on the task with ease, if you’ve committed to handling it yourself, you’ll need to do the research.

To help you along with the mold-removing process, our team is breaking down the must-know step-by-step method to tackling pesky mold in your home.

Tools and Materials

So, how do you get rid of mold in a house? It starts with the right tools and materials to ensure the task is done right.

For this process, you will need:

• Bleach
• Heavy-duty cleaner
• Painter’s tape
• Plastic garbage bags
• Plastic sheeting
• Oil-based primer or shellac
• Dish soap
• Rubber gloves
• Safety glasses
• Respirators/masks

Mold Removal Safety Precautions

When working through how to get rid of mold in the house naturally, you’ll find that safety precautions are a top priority.

Mold can be a harmful substance, so to ensure your health and safety, we recommend:

• Wearing old clothes you can throw out or deeply wash afterward.
• Wear an N-95 respirator as well as gloves and eye goggles.
• Wrap and tape moldy carpeting, wrapping it up in plastic, and then double bagging it before throwing it out.
• Use an old fan to act as a ventilator while you’re working. You will need to throw this fan out when you’re done to avoid further circulating the mold spores.
• Moisten the mold while you work with a sprayer. This will help control airborne spores.
• Keep the air conditioner and furnace off and cover their ducts

Seal Off the Damaged Area

The key tip when dealing with the question of how to clean up mold in your house is to contain the spores so that they do not spread while you work. This is easy to overlook, but incredibly important.

To keep the rest of your home safe from the mold you’re working on, we recommend:

• Keeping the room you are working on sealed from the rest of the house.
• Cover doorways with plastic sheets and tape going from wall to floor.
• Cover air ducts with plastic and tape.

Prevent Further Mold Spread

Prevention methods are a great way to keep mold at bay, managing both your indoor cleaning methods and addressing how to get rid of mold on the outside of the house.

To prevent more mold, we recommend:

• Clearing gutters and downspouts so water is draining as it should.
• Repairing any leaks inside and installing exhaust fans.
• Before removing mold, be sure to improve ventilation and eliminate moisture.
• To keep moisture levels down and avoid further mold growth, keep a dehumidifier running.

Dealing with Mold: What You Need to Know

If you’re wondering “how do you get rid of mold in your house,” these are our basic tips and tricks:

• Use detergent and water to scrub mold off hard surfaces and then dry completely with a rag.
• For faster results, use a mold cleaner with mold-fighting ingredients.
• For porous surfaces like drywall, use a rag. For very porous surfaces it’s best to replace them.
• To avoid peeling paint, you must remove all mold and let it thoroughly dry.
• Use dish soap to remove mold from wood. We recommend then sanding the wood afterward.
• When removing mold indoors, you do not need to rinse the surfaces afterward.

Remember – when removing mold, you’ll need to take the extra time and care to ensure you’re getting beyond a surface clean to thoroughly remove mold. This can mean more than a deep scrub, too, actually removing walls and covers to find the root of the mold. It’s a hard job, but well worth the results!

How to Get Rid of Mold on the Outside of a House

Outdoor mold should be taken just as seriously as indoors as it can affect the stability of your home.

For the basics on how to get rid of mold under a house or outside, we recommend:

• For a solution, spray a 1-to-10 mix of bleach and water on the surfaces.
• Use a stiff bristle brush and a solution to scrub at surfaces.
• Wear gloves and eye protection.
• Let the solution sit for about 10 to 20 minutes.
• When done, rinse surfaces with a hose.

To avoid doing a major mold removal process too frequently, keep an eye on your home’s exterior, cleaning things as you see them to avoid a mold problem getting too out of hand.

Clean Up After Removal

A big part of how to kill mold in your house is the cleanup process afterward, which ensures the mold doesn’t spread throughout the rest of your space.

When it comes to cleanup, we recommend:

• Double bag and seal moldy materials, like carpets.
• Bag and seal all rags used for mold removal and throw them away.
• Immediately wash hands and skin.
• Deeply wash clothes using hot water or dispose of them.

Cleanup is all about keeping mold from spreading to the rest of the house, so never skip this step!

Mold Prevention Tips

Now that you’ve dealt with how to get rid of black mold in the house and outside surfaces, it’s time to ensure it doesn’t come back.

Mold thrives in damp environments, so controlling dampness in your home with dehumidifiers can make a world of difference to prevent mold. To further avoid moisture build-up, make sure you route water away from your home’s foundation and address any leaks immediately.

To go the extra mile, we recommend using paints with mildewcide. Many contain this, and it can help keep your more wet rooms, like the bathroom, safe from mold. We also advise you to do frequent bath mold cleaning to prevent any accumulation in these moist environments.

When DIY Isn't Enough: Knowing When to Call in the Pros

While tackling small mold issues yourself can be effective, it's important to recognize when you might need some expert advice.

If you're noticing persistent mold in your home or are unsure about how to address a particular mold situation, it can be helpful to consult with a professional cleaning company.

At Euromaids, we specialize in deep cleaning services. While we don't handle large mold remediation projects, we can offer guidance on dealing with small mold issues and maintaining a clean, fresh home environment.

If you're unsure about how to handle a mold problem in a particular area or need tips on preventing mold growth, we're here to help! Reach out to Euromaids today for a free consultation. Our team will assess your specific needs and recommend the best course of action to restore your Naperville home's freshness and ensure your peace of mind.