Remove Musty Odors

This article will give you tips and advice on how to remove musty odors.

Key Points

• Clothing: wash in a washing machine with white vinegar, baking soda, or bleach. Air dry when clean.
• Appliances: clean with white vinegar solution or use baking soda to absorb odors.
• Damp Spaces: air out periodically, and use potpourri to absorb odors.
• Furniture and Carpets: clean hard surfaces with chlorine dioxide and soft surfaces with hydrogen peroxide or baking soda.
• Other Items: use baking soda to absorb odors and air out damp items.

Steps

Removing Odors from Fabric

1. Wash cloth items (clothing, drapery, linens) with white vinegar in a washing machine. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to a normal load and let soak for 30 minutes. Continue regular wash cycle adding a liquid, scented fabric softener during the rinse. Put a scented fabric softener sheet in the dryer as well. If needed, repeat this step.
   • The vinegar smell should dissipate after drying.
   • You may be using too much laundry detergent or fabric softener. This can cause soap to accumulate on clothing, making them less absorbent and causing musty odors.
2. Wash cloth items (clothing, drapery, linens) with baking soda in a washing machine. Add 1 cup of baking soda to a normal load and let soak for 30 minutes. Complete normal wash cycle.
3. Wash or soak your clothes in bleach if the item is bleachable. Bleach can remove both stains and odors caused by mold. However, check any garment label to determine if item can be bleached, as bleach will discolor most items that are not white. Place clothing in the washing machine, making sure not to overload the machine. Add liquid detergent and set your washer for "warm" water. Once the machine has filled with water, add a cup of bleach (reduce this for smaller loads). Continue regular wash. Remove and rinse clothing if you notice colors beginning to fade.
   • Bleach will typically permanently discolor or damage clothing or fabrics. Natural fabrics such as silk, wool, or animal fibers are very likely to suffer bleaching effects. Check clothing tags for any "do not use chlorine bleach" warnings. While you may approach a pair of jeans as an opportunity to do a creative bleaching wash, you may not that for other garments.
   • Do not over wash clothes with chlorine bleach, as it can weaken fabrics such as linen, cotton, and rayon over time. The occasional bleaching will not do a lot of harm.
4. Try hang clothes outside after washing. Exposing your fabrics to light and fresh air can remove odors naturally.
   • Make sure fabrics are completely dry before bringing them inside and storing them. Trapped moisture is a major cause of mildew.
   • Keep an eye on the weather and bring all fabrics inside if it gets damp or rainy. Do not leave out overnight if possible. Prolonged exposure outside in damp weather can cause mold and must in clothing.

Removing Odors from Appliances

1. Clean appliances with a white vinegar solution. Remove all food from a refrigerator and defrost freezers before cleaning. Dilute a quart of warm water with 1 tablespoon baking soda. Wipe all appliances with the baking soda and water mix.
   • Spread this mixture on the interior surfaces. Fill the space with crumpled newspaper and let sit 24 hours or until dry. Remove newspaper and rinse off with water and a paper towel.
2. Open a box of baking soda and place it in your refrigerator. If the refrigerator is in use, the odor will be absorbed in a few days. Replace the baking soda regularly, according to the instructions on the box.
3. Place a small (several teaspoons) dish or saucer of vanilla extract in your refrigerator. Let sit for 3 weeks to remove bad or musty odors.
   • Freezer temperatures will cause vanilla extract to freeze, making it ineffective as a deodorizer.
4. Get rid of smoky or unappetizing smells from the oven. Commercial oven cleaners can be toxic and leave an unappealing smell. You can remove odors from your oven simply using things found in your kitchen.
   • Mix together in a glass bowl 1/2 cup dish soap, 1 1/2 cups baking soda, 1/4 cup white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add enough water so your mixture forms a thick paste, but is not watery. Coat or paint the interior surfaces of your oven and leave overnight (6 to 8 hours). You want the mixture to "foam-up" so it can lift grime from the surface. Use a scrubber and water to wipe down the oven. Repeat if needed.
   • Fill a spray bottle with 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water. Spritz the inside of your oven and wipe with a moist sponge. This will help remove odors, but not baked-on food or grease.
   • Sprinkle salt on burned-on food in the oven. Wait until the oven cools and wipe with a damp cloth.
5. Clean musty odors from a washing machine with bleach or vinegar. Mildew can form in washing machines (especially front-loaders) causing musty odors even in freshly washed clothes. Empty any clothes from the washer. Add a cup of bleach or vinegar. Set the temperature to "hot" and run the machine on a short, normal cycle. Let the machine drain.
   • Periodically leave the lid or door to your washer open when not in use to prevent mold and mildew formation.
   • Clean the interior and exterior surfaces of your washing machine with a diluted bleach (2 teaspoons per 1 gallon cool water) or vinegar solution (2 tablespoons white vinegar per 1 gallon cool water). Wipe all surfaces with a paper towel moistened with water. Let sit for 12 hours or until completely dry before using.

Eliminating Odors in Damp spaces

1. Periodically air-out closets, closed rooms, and cabins. Mold and mildew love cool, damp, and dark areas. Scrub non-porous hard surfaces, including walls, inside of drawers, and laminate,concrete, or tile flooring with detergent and warm water.
   • Reduce moisture in the air by setting-up a fan, dehumidifier, or opening a window. Ideally, humidity should be kept below 40% in your house.
   • Hire professionals to remove moldy ceiling tiles, carpet, linoleum, or drywall. These cannot be cleaned and are potentially hazardous to your health.
2. Cover-up room odors with homemade potpourri. Simmer stick cinnamon, orange peel, and whole cloves in water on the stove. Remove when the water begins to boil and set anywhere in the house to cool.
   • Tie blends of spices or potpourri in pantyhose and place next to a heating vent when the furnace is running.
3. Fill a tray or box with cat litter. Leave in places where you store unused clothing, such as closets or an attic, to reduce moisture and remove odors.
   • Sprays such as "Oust" also help temporarily eliminate musty smells.
4. Hang mesh bags of crushed volcanic rocks in damp places. These are available at most hardware and do-it-yourself stores and can be used to naturally deodorize basements, closets, sheds, and even shoes.
   • Read the instructions provided on the bag. This will tell you the size and number of bags needed per square foot area.
5. Wipe around windows and doors with mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar. Follow this by spreading a thin film of coconut oil on window sills or around the edges of windows and doors. This will prevent mold and mustiness returning for several months.
   • To disinfect surfaces and kill mold mix 3/4 cups of bleach with warm water. Wear rubber gloves and use a sponge to wipe-down surfaces. Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing with water. Air dry.
   • Regularly recheck windows, doors, and walls for mold or mildew spots or if the musty smell returns. Disinfect as needed.

Removing Odors from Furniture and Carpets

1. Kill mold spores using chlorine dioxide. This is used on boats to control musty odors, and in libraries to control outbreaks of mildew. There are several convenient sources of small amounts of chlorine dioxide that are sold for use in boats and closets.
2. Spot-clean mold or mildew stains on carpets with hydrogen peroxide. Mix the solution by adding 3 teaspoons hydrogen peroxide to 5 teaspoons of water. Use a thick paintbrush to brush onto the affected area.
   • Test first in a non-visible part of carpet as hydrogen peroxide can bleach or fade colors.
3. Clean carpets with baking soda or carpet cleaner. Coat the surface of a dry carpet with baking soda carpet or carpet cleaner, and then work into the carpet fibers with a damp sponge mop. Let sit until completely dry and then vacuum up. Follow package directions on testing for colorfastness and length of application time.
   • You may have to vacuum the carpet twice, and move the vacuum in opposite directions.
   • Have your carpets professionally shampooed, or rent a do-it-yourself shampooer from a grocery or hardware store.
   • Clean small throw rugs or doormats in a washing machine. Check the manufacturer's label for cleaning instructions or if the carpet is machine washable.
4. Clean out cupboards and trunks with baking soda or newspapers. You can fill a cupboard with crumpled newspapers or leave an open box of baking soda in a trunk. Let stand for at least 2-3 days to remove odors.
   • Wipe cupboard, trunk, or drawer surfaces with 1/2 baking soda and 1/2 water solution.
   • A small opened can or container of fresh coffee grounds can also be effective in small spaces. Leave for 2-3 days before removing or replacing.
   • Alternatively, remove all items from the storage space and sprinkle a thin layer of coffee grounds or baking soda on the floor of the surface. Let sit for 2-3 days and then vacuum-up or wipe with a damp cloth. Leave open and let air dry.

Removing Odors from Other Items

1. Deodorize shoes with baking soda. Spoon several teaspoons of baking soda into the sole and seal shoes in a plastic ziplock bag. Place in the freezer overnight. Remove the next morning and dump backing soda into garbage.
   • Pack wet shoes (especially sneakers or cleats) with crumpled newspaper. Replace newspaper when it becomes soaked through. This will help the shoe dry faster and prevent wet shows from developing musty or bad odors.
2. Air out your suitcase or backpack. Leave the item outside in the sunshine for a few days. Heat and light help kill mildew and bacteria.
   • Place several dryer sheets in your suitcase or backpack or fill fabric packets with cat litter that contains baking soda.
   • Keep suitcases and backpacks fresh when not in use with wrapped bars of soap. Place several throughout the main compartment as well as any large pockets.
3. Remove musty odors from tents. Set-up the tent in your backyard on a sunny day. You may never get rid of the mold stains but you should be able to get rid of the odor with a good scrub (read the tent manufacturer's instructions for appropriate products) and some sunny days.
   • After camping, make sure the tent is completely dry before rolling-up and storing.
4. Freshen car interiors. Sprinkle baking soda or carpet cleaner on upholstery and floors and then vacuum.
   • Leave an open container of coffee grounds or a pan of cat litter in your trunk overnight to absorb odors.
   • Spray mats with a diluted bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon water) and then hose down with water. Do this on a warm, sunny day so you can leave the mats outside to air dry.
5. Deodorize without damaging smelly books. Neutralize unpleasant or musty odors in books with crushed volcanic rock (purchased in mesh bags from a hardware store). Find a clean plastic bin that can be sealed with a lid. Lay a mesh bag with crushed volcanic rock (purchased from a hardware store) on the floor of the bin. Set a clean milk crate directly on top of the volcanic rock, and lay books vertically in the crate. Cover the bin and leave sealed for several days.
   • Weave paper towels throughout the pages of a book and then place it the freezer overnight.
   • Open a book and leave it outside on a hot, bright day to air out.

Tips

• Do not use bleach or ammonia to clean appliances as these can damage the lining and emit potentially dangerous fumes.
• If you do not have access to a washing machine, soaking clothing in a sink or tub filled with warm water for 30 minutes is just as effective.
• Make sure towels are fully dry before tossing them in a hamper with other clothes.
• Most room sprays just mask mustiness not remove it, but there are products (such as "Oust") that temporarily fool your olfactory receptors (sense of smell) into thinking it has been eliminated. These are useful until the actual problem is solved.
• Throw-out moldy carpet or upholstery.
• Make sure clothing is fully rinsed and dry before placing in a closet or dresser.
• The musty odor will persist or return if you do not identify and remove the underlying cause, such as dampness or bacteria.
• Avoid storing items in cold, dark, damp places as these promote the growth of mold or mildew.
• Consider cleaning your washing machine or dresser drawers if the musty odors persist as these, and not your clothes, may be harboring mold and mildew.
• Prevent mold and mildew growth by fixing leaks or water problems affecting plumbing, or walls or roof of your house.

Warnings

• Chlorine dioxide is an irritant. If you are using chlorine dioxide, air the room out before occupying it. Or keep the door closed if you are deodorizing a closet.
• Contact your local County Services Office for recommendations for mold treatment companies. Get competing offers before signing any contracts and make sure the contract has a re-treatment clause. Do not attempt to remove yourself.
• Extensive mold found in basements, attics, crawl spaces and vents could be toxic. If found, wear a mask, avoid breathing the spores, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after encountering.
• Mixing chemicals, especially with bleach, can be dangerous and potentially volatile. When mixing home cleaning solutions, use a clean glass bowl or measuring cup. Do not reuse spray bottles. Purchase and label empty spray bottles from a hardware store.
• When using commercial cleaners or bleach, always make sure the space where you are working is well ventilated with adequate airflow.
• Make sure a surface (hard surface, carpet, upholstery) is completely dry before sprinkling with baking soda. Preexisting moisture can cause the baking soda to harden, rendering it ineffective in absorbing smells and making it difficult to clean.

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Sources and Citations

• Videos provided by Clean My Space

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