Hey everyone! I'm really struggling with a musty "old house" smell that lingers throughout my home. While it's not noticeable when you first walk in—thanks to my constant cleaning and candle burning—after being inside all day, I step out smelling like it, and even my clothes seem to absorb the odor no matter how many times I wash them.
I've tried a bunch of things, including applying Killz paint on the walls, refinishing the hardwood floors, cleaning out the air ducts, and doing a deep clean of the entire house. I also use air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and have DampRid bags in the closets, but nothing seems to work. I'm starting to wonder what I'm missing here. Just to clarify, we have a carport and a crawl space, but no basement. Any suggestions would be super appreciated!
3 Answers
Have you thought about using an ozone machine? It really helps eliminate odors. Just make sure to clear the house of all living things—humans, pets, plants—while it's running. I found some affordable options on Amazon. But I should mention, I saw you already tried that, so it might be worth looking into something else if you’ve already done it.
I recommend mopping your floors with Fabuloso purple; it smells great! Also, having some Bath and Body Works air fresheners around can help with the scent too. Just keep in mind, though, these are temporary fixes and might not solve the root of the problem.
Could your water meter be running? If it is, that could indicate a leak somewhere leading to mold, which might be the source of the smell. It might be smart to check for any hidden leaks!