4 Tips for Getting Rid of Mildew Smell in the House

mildew basement wall
  • 1-10 hours
  • Beginner
  • 0-100

Getting rid of the mildew smell in the house is important. Not only is it disgusting, but mildew spores in the air can cause sickness like nasal stuffiness, eye and throat irritation, wheezing and coughing. Getting rid of the mildew smell isn’t difficult, although it does take some work. The effort is worthwhile.

1. Clean

Cleaning is the best method for getting rid of the mildew smells. Locate the area where the mildew smell originates. You need to throw out any old papers and cardboard that are there. These can hold mildew spores and will keep the smell in the air. Throw out or carefully wash any fabric in the area and get rid of any old upholstered furniture that’s there.

Once you’ve eliminated these things, wash the entire area with a solution of bleach and water, then leave it to dry. If possible, open a window close by to give ventilation to the area. This will help in getting rid of the mildew smell.

2. Absorb Odors

baking soda in a bowl and wooden spoon with half a lemon

Using odor absorbers is a good way of getting rid of the mildew smell. You can buy all kinds of sprays and items that promise to eliminate odors, but there are simple, cheap ways to do this.

Take some charcoal briquettes and put them in old empty coffee cans. Distribute these around the area affected by mildew smells. These will take away the odor by sucking it in. It will also absorb moisture in the air, which can make mildew. Be aware you’ll need to replace these once a month in order for them to remain effective.

Baking soda is one of the best things you can use for getting rid of mildew smell. It’s renowned as an odor eliminator, and it will do an excellent job on mildew smell. Simply open a box and leave it in the area to take away the smell of mildew. It will need to be replaced every couple of months. Also very efficient as an odor absorber is cat litter. Lay out a tray of cat litter in the area and it will take away the mildew smell. It will only last well for two weeks before needing to be replaced.

3. Keep the Smell Away

woman standing next to open window with light streaming in

After getting rid of the mildew smell, you need to be able to keep it away. Repeated thorough cleanings of the area is something that’s vital to making sure no mildew returns. Keep giving good ventilation to the area. Fresh air is a big enemy of mildew and mold. Whenever the weather allows, have a window open in the area.

4. Use a Dehumidifier

Keeping a working dehumidifier in the area is an excellent way to keep the mildew smell away. It will remove the moisture that can cause mildew from the air. Having this running, especially in damper weather, will also help to keep mildew away. Similarly, an ionizer is a very effective tool for keeping mildew away. It takes the damp ions from the air and keeps it smelling fresh.