That musty smell that hits you the moment you walk into a room, we all know it. A damp smell never comes from nowhere: it almost always gives away hidden mold somewhere and air that is standing still. The good news is that you can make it disappear, as long as you treat the source and not just mask it.

Where the musty smell comes from

The typical moldy odour is produced by micro organisms that grow on damp surfaces. Wherever the air does not move and a spot stays wet, mold settles and gives off that smell. Two ingredients are enough: moisture and standing air. As long as both are there, the smell comes back, even after a big clean.

Finding the source of the damp smell

Before treating it, you have to track down where the damp smell starts. Go through the dark, poorly aired spots.

• closed cupboards and the back of wardrobes;
• the back of furniture pushed against cold walls;
• textiles: curtains, laundry, rugs, mattresses;
• the basement and below ground rooms;
• the nooks of the bathroom and under the sinks.

How to remove the damp smell

Once the source is found, the steps are simple and use everyday products.

• air the room widely, morning and evening, to clear the standing air;
• treat surface mold with white vinegar diluted in equal parts, while airing and wearing gloves;
• place a dish of baking soda in a cupboard or a closed room, because it absorbs odours;
• wash the affected textiles and dry them completely before putting them away;
• use a dehumidifier if the air stays too damp;
• improve ventilation: a maintained system, clear grilles and doors with a gap underneath.

Perfuming solves nothing

An air freshener or a scented candle covers the smell for a few hours, then it comes back: the mold is still there. To get rid of a damp smell for good, there is no secret, you have to remove the moisture and the mold that cause it. Baking soda and vinegar help, but it is ventilation and treating the cause that really make the difference.

Treating the cause for good

Depending on the spot, the useful move changes. On a wall, learn how to clear mold on walls without damaging it. And if the smell comes from the room where you sleep, our tips to freshen up a damp bedroom will help you get healthy air back.

Frequently asked questions

Does baking soda really remove a damp smell?

Baking soda is a good absorber for a cupboard or a small room. It clearly softens bad odours, but it does not remove the mold: it is a useful extra, not a real fix.

Why does the smell always come back?

Because the cause has not been treated. If the moisture and the mold are still there, the smell returns as soon as you stop airing. Treating the source, drying and ventilating well is the only way to beat it.