There is nothing worse than coming home, taking a deep breath and getting that telltale smell of must and mildew. It is off-putting, and for some, it is downright bad for their health. As a professional HVAC company, we have some great tips and tricks to help you eliminate the musty smell in your home once and for all.
Immediate Remedies
Air It Out
First and foremost, if you notice a musty smell in your home, open your windows and air it out. If you can, use a series of fans to create cross-ventilation, pushing out the stale air and replenishing your home with fresh air. You can do this no matter the season, as winter air can help refresh your space just as much as a warm summer breeze off Lake Erie can do wonders for your home.
Use Odor Absorbers
If you notice that the smell is still there after airing out your home, we suggest trying an odor absorber. There are a few different natural recipes that can work, and our favorite is a bowl of baking soda, white vinegar, or activated charcoal, which can absorb those bad smells and leave your home smelling fresher.
Dehumidify
Finally, you can try dehumidifying your home with portable units or a whole-home product, such as an HVAC dehumidifier. These tools will remove moisture from your home and limit the risk of additional mold and mildew in basements, wreck rooms, and laundry rooms. These systems can do wonders, and if you only have a portable option, focus on the rooms that are particularly moist first.
Deep Cleaning and Treatments
Wash Linens
One of the best ways to limit the spread of mildew and mold smells is to take the time to launder soft items around your house, especially in your basement. This includes curtains, throw blankets and pillow covers. If you are concerned about throwing any of these items into the washing machine, you can also steam-clean them instead.
Wipe Down Walls and Cupboards
No one likes washing down walls and cupboards, but it can be a helpful tip to get rid of mold and mildew smells. We suggest using a diluted white vinegar spray solution to sanitize your surfaces, including countertops, walls, and cupboards.
Clean Carpets and Furniture
Finally, you can also do a quick clean of your carpets and furniture with a sprinkle of baking soda and a bit of time. To properly deodorize furniture or carpets, simply sprinkle some baking soda, wait a few hours, and then vacuum. Simple as that.
Long Term Fixes
Install an HVAC dehumidifier
When dealing with mold or mildew smells, the best approach is to focus on a whole-home strategy to remove excess water and moisture. A dehumidifier that connects to your existing HVAC system will allow you to remove gallons of water from your home's duct system and systematically remove moisture in just a few hours. With our professional installation and setup, your dehumidifier will be a set-it-and-forget-it unit that turns on when the moisture level reaches a specific percentage and turns off once the level drops.
Fix Leaks
Mold and mildew growth are often related to plumbing leaks in and around your home. A small leak can quickly cause problems, and finding and repairing it can help eliminate the root cause of these nasty smells. Working with a professional plumbing company can make finding leaks a breeze, and they can even provide on-site repairs, including pipe repairs, pipe replacements and cure-in-place pipe repairs for PVC and copper pipes.
Improve Ventilation in Your Home
One of the best ways to ensure your home is set up for success in getting rid of mold and mildew is to invest in better ventilation. Installing properly ventilated exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen is a great start, as is making sure that your roof has the proper ventilation for our specific environment and that your HVAC filters are cleaned and changed often.
Install an Air Purifier
One of the other things that you can do is to install an air purification system that plugs into your existing HVAC system. Our air purifiers work with a variety of heating and cooling systems and can purify the air before it is pumped throughout your home. When you invest in an air purification system, make sure you use a HEPA filter that captures mold spores, allergens, and other particulates known to cause respiratory issues in home air systems.
If you have questions about our HVAC and plumbing services that can help eliminate those musty smells once and for all, it is time to call Fry. From dehumidifiers to air purification and even plumbing repairs, Fry is here to help!
