My boyfriend’s house, basically a cottage, smells musty. You walk in and can smell it. Is this a result of mold?
His kitchen cupboards smell of must. What is the best way to get rid of the smell?
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My boyfriend’s house, basically a cottage, smells musty. You walk in and can smell it. Is this a result of mold?
His kitchen cupboards smell of must. What is the best way to get rid of the smell?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Combine vinegar, lemon juice & water in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe down all surfaces. Let the cupboards stand open and dry completely. It might help for him to get a dehumidifier. Put a charcoal briquette in each cabinet (on a plate or paper towel so you don’t get black coal everywhere). The charcoal absorbs odors and moisture. For an inexpensive air freshener combine water, rubbing alcohol and a cap full of fabric softener - you can make this as strong or mild as you like.
It’s a combination of mold and mildew. The only way to get rid of the smell is to get rid of the mildew. Tilex in the bathroom cleaner aisle is the best product for this purpose. You’ll first need to remove everything from the cabinets and wash the items in hot soapy water. Then spray tilex all over the inside and outside of the cabinets. Let it sit a bit then wipe it all down with a rag and water as hot as you can handle it.
Mildew loves to hang from beneath things, so pay the most attention to the underside of surfaces.
Next, check the wooden furniture in the cottage. It’s likely there is are blue spots covering much of the undersides of it. Again, Tilex and a wet rag will do the trick. Don’t forget to check under the dining table and chairs, the beds, anything with wood and a flat surface likely has blue underneath it.
Wash all fabric items. They likely don’t contain the mold and mildew but they’ve absorbed the odor.
Lastly, take care not to splatter Tilex on your clothes or carpeting or other fabrics as it can bleach them out. Not as bad as Clorox, but it can ruin fabrics if you’re not careful.
Unfortunately, continuing moisture throughout the year will necessitate this chore every year if the smell really bothers you.
Also open the windows if it’s not too cold. Air the place out. There is a chance that the building has rising damp or some kind of mould inside the walls.
invest in some white vinegar, perhaps a gallon will do. pour it into some bowls and leave a bowl in each room. you will notice a change next time you come in. its an oldtime remedy used to nuetralize musty cellars and attics, it also combats petroleum oders in a garage. ever spill milk in a car? smells like baby puke, this helps greatly. let me know how you do.
-chris