Hey everyone! My husband and I just moved into his grandparents' house after inheriting it, but we're dealing with some serious musty odors from the years of wear and tear. We've already tried cleaning the walls and floors with bleach, but the smell persists, especially from the cabinets which still have a lingering scent of older food. We're looking for any tips or tricks to freshen up the place. Any suggestions would be super helpful!
4 Answers
Have you thought about getting an ozone generator? Just set it up while you air the place out—leave it running for a few hours. Just make sure pets and plants are out since ozone can be strong. It's worked wonders for others with stubborn odors!
This is a little offbeat, but I read that the 'old person smell' is actually a chemical compound people release as they age. Regular soap won't get rid of it. There might be special soaps out there that can help. You could also look for cleaners that break down that compound—it could be worth checking out!
I recommend a thorough deep clean and maybe even painting to freshen things up. Don't forget to wash those curtains and carpets too! Let everything air out for at least a week, and consider using an enzyme cleaner instead of bleach—it tends to work better for these issues.
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You might want to consider using an enzyme-based cleaner - those are great for breaking down odors, especially pet or food smells. Just apply it to all surfaces including walls and cabinets. It'll get to the root of the problem rather than just masking it with bleach!

Thanks for the ozone tip! I'll definitely look into that; it sounds promising.