How to Get Rid of Musty Smells in Your Apartment

Use this step-by-step guide to get rid of musty odors in your apartment

1. Air out your space

   This step might sound obvious, but it’s also important. As we’ve already established, the mold that’s at the source of musty smells tends to flourish in poorly ventilated spaces. When you first move into a place—and then periodically thereafter—air your apartment out to help get rid of the source of the foul aroma. 
   
   Make sure these foul-smelling spaces in your apartment get as much ventilation as possible. It may be difficult to keep your windows open for long periods in the winter months, but you can run a fan on a regular basis or purchase a dehumidifier for problem areas like basements or poorly ventilated bathrooms.
   
   Take a classic spring cleaning approach by opening up as many doors and windows as possible and leaving them open for at least a few hours, if not a whole day. While you’re at it, you may as well throw open kitchen cabinets, the space under sinks, interior doors, and anything else that could keep air from circulating freely. Encourage air to move through the space by turning on overhead fans as well or bringing in free-standing fans. You can also run a dehumidifier or your air conditioning system.
   
   While you’re at this stage, you’ll also want to check your faucets for any signs of leaks. Leaking can create the damp conditions that mold enjoys, so as long as you have extra humidity, you’ll probably have a problem with musty smells too.

2. Do a deep clean

   Doing a deep clean of your apartment, including furniture as well as carpets, hard flooring, and counter spaces, will help clear out musty smells and their source as well. Purchase the requisite house cleaning products and wipe down all of the surfaces in your home with a disinfectant product, including hard-to-reach places like on top of the refrigerator or the drip pan under the washing machine. 
   If you notice particular places where mildew is growing, use a diluted bleach solution of one part bleach and four parts water to give it a good once-over. You can also scrub walls and floors with this concoction.
   
   Give floors a thorough vacuuming and mop linoleum and similar surfaces. For carpets, you can spritz undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle across the floor, or use a mixture of white vinegar and water to attack problem areas. If carpets are a source of the problem, you may have to rent a carpet cleaner to thoroughly steam the carpet. When you mop, remember to use warm water and a cleaning solution that’s designed for your type of flooring. When you’re finished, let the floor air dry thoroughly so there aren’t remaining damp spots.
   Upholstered furniture like couches can also unfortunately harbor musty smells. If you determine that furniture is the source of the smell, you may have to get that piece professionally cleaned — or ditch it entirely.
   
   Finally, check that the smell isn’t coming from something you can easily toss in the wash, like clothes, bath towels, or sheets — and if it is, chuck them in the laundry!

3. Use odor absorbers

   For a musty smell that’s not too intense or for one that’s confined to a small space like a closet or laundry room, an odor absorber may be the way to go. Create one for yourself using at-home ingredients by simply placing a small dish of baking soda in the space to soak up excess moisture and odors. For less intense odors, air fresheners and odor-eliminating cleaning products may be the way to go. 
   
   If you don’t love the smell of cleaning products, pick up a scent diffuser or candle in your favorite scent to cover up the cleaning product smell once you’re done. It can be fun to stock up on seasonal scented candles or essential oils to mark the changing of the seasons. Lavender scents are often used as a calming and sleep aid, so place a lavender scented product in your bedroom. Peppermint or citrus scents, on the other hand, work well in kitchens.

4. Talk to your landlord about the problem

   If the musty odor problem is a serious one that can’t be solved through your own cleaning efforts, you may need to bring it up with your landlord. If you determine that the smell is coming from part of the house, such as the carpet — let’s say the last renter smoked cigarettes or had pets and the odor is seriously embedded in the carpet — your landlord may need to call in the professionals for a cleaning or replace the relevant carpets for you. Additionally, they will want to check for mold in the apartment and be sure there is no health risk to you or the other tenants.