My House Smells Of Mould.
Why Is There a Damp Smell In My Home?
A damp smell in your house is not only uncomfortable but can also seem unsanitary. Even if there aren’t any visible signs to indicate the dampness in your home, a horrible damp smell can ruin the ambience. Moreover, dampness should not be ignored. It might seem like a trivial problem, but it can lead to severe deterioration of your home if left unattended. A damp smell in your home is caused due to the growth of several kinds of microorganisms. This can compromise the healthy living conditions of your home.
Sources of Damp Smell
The damp odour originates from the mould that grows on the available surface in your house. Mould thrives on moisture, which is why it is crucial that you keep your walls and other surfaces dry. It also grows rapidly when it is dark. Make sure you air out your rooms once in a while and let in enough natural light to prevent the growth of mould and mildew.
Are Moulds Harmful?
Contrary to popular belief, moulds are indeed harmful to the residents of the house they infest. Moulds emit Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs). This not only causes the horrible damp smell in your house but when they are present in large amounts, they can lead to dizziness and nausea. Therefore, you must locate the source of your damp smell and eliminate it as soon as possible. The most common locations for moulds are wet and dark rooms, bathrooms, old cupboards and similar wooden furniture. It also tends to form behind air conditioning units and water filters due to the moisture that is often generated from such appliances.
How to Get Rid of a Damp Smell?
After you find out the source for the damp smell in your house, you would naturally want to get rid of it. Here are some methods that you can utilize in order to get rid of the damp smell in your house.
Remove Potential Sources
First and foremost, you must remove any possible sources of mould and mildew. If you have old newspapers or cartons stacked up, clear the place immediately. Paper retains moisture for a long while and creates a damp odour. Frequently clean out the backs of cupboards, air conditioning units, etc., and air your rooms as much as possible. Also, make sure your rooms get enough sunlight, especially if you live in an area that experiences heavy rainfall. If there are any leaks on your walls, ceilings, or floorboards, fix them as soon as possible. Fresh and clean houses are less likely to develop a damp odour.
Use Pongone
Pongone is the world’s first natural odour eliminator that actually destroys the odour at source. It effectively combats the damp smell in your home and helps keep it fresh and clean. Not only does it help with damp odour, but it also works on other uncomfortable smells that can be present if you have pets or a tobacco smell.
Use Baking Soda
As a temporary solution for the damp odour around your house, you can use baking soda. Once you find the source of the smell, sprinkle some baking soda in the area. Make sure to clean it up after a while. Baking soda essentially neutralises the smell that is generated by the moulds. While this does not completely eliminate the moulds, it gets rid of the smell for a while. If there is a damp smell coming from your ovens or cooking equipment, leave a cup of baking soda inside it overnight.
Use Pure White Vinegar
Pure white vinegar is another home ingredient that you can use against dampness and odours around your house. Although it is not effective against severe mould infestations, it works in most cases of mildew at home. The antibacterial, antifungal, and acidic nature of pure white vinegar is what helps it combat the mould and mildew present in your home. However, make sure to not damage your wall while you clean it off later. If you are using it on a relatively sensitive surface, you can dilute the vinegar with water before use.
Use Damp Proof Paint
If you are painting or repainting your house, it is better to use damp proof paint. This helps prevent the growth of mould and mildew from the very beginning. If it is good quality paint, it can be years before you have to worry about any damp smell in your home. Such paint is especially useful if you live in hilly regions or areas where there is heavy rainfall.
Use Dehumidifiers or Dehumidifying Air Purifiers
A dehumidifier helps keep the air that is circulating in your room fresh and dry. Not only does it prevent mould from forming and any subsequent damp smell, but also helps keep your room fresh for a long time. It is a healthy practice to have an air purifier at home. Although it might seem like a costly investment, it is a useful device to have.
Get New Windows and New Walls
If you are interested in more long-term solutions and if the damp problem in your home is severe, you might want to consider getting new windows or getting your walls or ceilings redone. Carefully plan to ensure there is enough natural light coming into the room and there is no excessive moisture accumulation. It is definitely one of the costliest solutions, but also the most effective one. Mould and mildew often tend to damage the surfaces they grow on. If left unattended, it can spread to other surfaces as well. This is why, to permanently get rid of the damp in your house, you can plan some renovations.
Conclusion
As evident from above, there are many different ways in which you can get rid of a damp smell from your home. While some are more temporary in nature, there are permanent solutions as well. Depending on the scale of your problem and your budget, you can employ any of them. A damp odour in your house can be uncomfortable for guests and visitors as well. Moreover, if left on its own, it will only give rise to larger problems. Therefore, clean your house regularly, and as soon as you get any damp smell, locate the source and try to clear it out.