How to Get Rid of Musty Smells in Your House

Air fresheners cover a musty smell for an hour. Getting rid of it means tracking down where the dampness lives and drying it out. Here is how to find the source, clean it and keep your home smelling fresh all year.

Updated October 2026

What causes a musty smell in a house?

That damp, earthy smell is usually caused by gases released by mold and mildew as they grow. They need three things: moisture, warmth and something to feed on, like drywall, wood, fabric or dust. Take away the moisture and they cannot thrive.

Common causes include:

• High indoor humidity, especially in summer or in homes without good ventilation
• Slow leaks under sinks, around toilets or behind appliances
• Damp basements and crawl spaces
• Bathrooms without a working exhaust fan
• Wet laundry left in the washer or towels that never fully dry
• Dirty HVAC filters, ducts or drip pans
• Closets packed so tightly that air cannot circulate
• Old carpet, rugs or upholstery that once got wet

How do you find the source of a musty smell?

Play detective before you clean. Walk through the house slowly and follow your nose. The smell is strongest closest to the source.

1. Start low. Moisture collects in basements, crawl spaces and ground floors first. Check corners, behind furniture and around the water heater.
2. Open every cabinet under a sink. Feel the cabinet floor and the pipes for dampness, and look for warped wood or dark spots.
3. Check the bathrooms. Look at caulk lines, grout, the ceiling above the shower and behind the toilet.
4. Look in the laundry area. Open the washer, especially a front loader, and check the rubber door seal and the detergent drawer.
5. Inspect the HVAC system. Pull the filter and look at the area around the indoor unit for standing water.
6. Sniff closets and storage. Pay attention to closets on exterior walls and any bins of stored clothing or bedding.
7. Check under rugs and furniture. Lift a corner of area rugs and look at the floor beneath.

A cheap digital hygrometer (a small humidity monitor) helps a lot. Move it from room to room. Any area that stays above about 60 percent humidity is a likely problem spot.

How do you get rid of musty smells room by room?

Once you know where the smell is coming from, use the fix that fits the space.

Area	Likely cause	Best fix
Basement	Humidity, seepage, poor airflow	Dehumidifier, fix gutters and grading, clear stored cardboard
Bathroom	Shower steam, mildew in grout and caulk	Run the fan 20 to 30 minutes after showers, scrub grout, replace moldy caulk
Closet	Trapped air, damp clothes	Thin out items, leave doors open, add a moisture absorber
Washing machine	Mildew in seals and drawer	Run a hot cleaning cycle, wipe seals, leave door open to dry
Under the sink	Slow leaks	Tighten or repair fittings, dry out and clean the cabinet
HVAC	Dirty filter, wet drip pan	Replace filter, clear drain line, schedule service if needed
Carpet and rugs	Old water damage, pet accidents	Deep clean and dry thoroughly, or replace if the pad stayed wet

Basements and crawl spaces

1. Run a dehumidifier sized for the space and empty or drain it regularly.
2. Walk outside and make sure gutters are clear and downspouts send water at least a few feet away from the foundation.
3. Move stored items off the floor onto shelves, and swap cardboard boxes for plastic bins with lids. Cardboard soaks up moisture and odor.
4. Scrub mildew spots on concrete or block walls with a stiff brush and a mix of water and dish soap. Let the area dry completely.

Bathrooms

Run the exhaust fan during every shower and for 20 to 30 minutes after. Hang towels spread out, not bunched on a hook, so they dry fully. Scrub grout and caulk lines, and replace caulk that stays dark after cleaning. Mineral buildup on glass also traps moisture, so follow our guide to removing hard water stains on glass shower doors while you are in there.

Closets and dressers

Overstuffed closets trap still air. Pull everything out, wash anything that smells, and only put back what you wear. Our tips for organizing a closet on a budget make it easier to leave breathing room between hangers. Place an open container of baking soda or a charcoal bag on a shelf.

Washing machine

1. Wipe the rubber door seal with a cloth dipped in warm soapy water, getting into the folds.
2. Remove and scrub the detergent drawer.
3. Run the hottest, longest cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in the drum, or use the machine’s clean cycle with a washer cleaner.
4. Leave the door and drawer cracked open between loads.

How do you clean mildew and remove the smell from surfaces?

Hard, non-porous surfaces

For tile, sealed counters, glass and plastic, scrub with dish soap and water, then spray undiluted white vinegar and let it sit for an hour before wiping. For stubborn mildew on surfaces that tolerate it, you can use a diluted bleach solution following the label directions instead.

Fabrics

• Clothes, towels and bedding: Wash on the warmest setting the fabric allows and add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Dry completely, outdoors in the sun if possible. Our guide on how often to wash your sheets helps you stay ahead of the smell.
• Upholstery and mattresses: Sprinkle with baking soda, leave it for several hours or overnight, then vacuum thoroughly.
• Curtains: Wash or steam them per the care label. They hold more odor than most people expect.

Porous materials with visible mold

Drywall, ceiling tiles, carpet pads and insulation that have grown mold usually cannot be fully cleaned. They often need to be removed and replaced. If the damage is extensive, a mold remediation professional is the safer choice.

What absorbs musty smells naturally?

After you fix the source, these help clear out the odor that lingers in the air and soft surfaces:

• Baking soda: Set open bowls in closets and corners, and replace them every month or so.
• Activated charcoal: Bags or bowls of charcoal absorb odor and some moisture. Many can be recharged in the sun.
• White vinegar: A bowl left out overnight helps neutralize odor in a closed room.
• Fresh air: Open windows on opposite sides of the house for 15 to 30 minutes on a dry day to create a cross breeze.
• Sunlight: Open the blinds. Light and warmth make conditions less friendly to mildew.

How do you keep musty smells from coming back?

• Keep indoor humidity roughly between 30 and 50 percent, using a dehumidifier in damp seasons.
• Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans every time you shower or cook.
• Replace HVAC filters on schedule, often every 1 to 3 months depending on the filter type and your household.
• Fix drips and leaks right away, even small ones.
• Never leave wet laundry in the washer for more than a few hours.
• Keep furniture a few inches away from exterior walls so air can circulate.
• Declutter storage areas so air can move. The 30 day declutter plan is an easy way to start.
• Build moisture checks into your home cleaning schedule, such as a monthly look under sinks.

Running a dehumidifier does use electricity, so set it to a target humidity rather than running it nonstop. Our list of ways to lower your electric bill has more ideas for keeping energy costs in check.

When should you call a professional?

Most musty smells are a weekend fix. Call a pro if:

• Visible mold covers more than about 10 square feet
• The smell persists after you have cleaned and dried everything you can reach
• You suspect mold inside walls, ductwork or under flooring
• There was flooding or a sewage backup
• Someone in your home has asthma, allergies or a weakened immune system

Costs for mold inspection and remediation vary widely by region and the size of the problem, so it is worth getting more than one quote.

Frequently asked questions

Does a musty smell always mean mold?

Not always, but it usually means moisture and often means mold or mildew is growing somewhere. Sometimes the smell comes from damp fabrics, a dirty washing machine or stale air in a closed room. If the smell returns after cleaning and airing out, look harder for hidden moisture.

Can a musty smell in the house make you sick?

The smell itself is a sign, not the problem. Mold exposure can trigger allergy symptoms, irritation or breathing issues for some people, especially those with asthma or allergies. If anyone in your home has symptoms, address the source quickly and talk to a doctor.

Will a dehumidifier get rid of a musty smell?

A dehumidifier helps a lot because it removes the moisture mold needs to grow. It will not remove odor already soaked into fabric or a mold colony that has already formed. Use it alongside cleaning, washing and fixing any leaks.

Why does my house smell musty after it rains?

Rain raises humidity and can let water seep into basements, crawl spaces or around windows. That moisture wakes up dormant mildew and releases the smell. Check gutters, downspouts and the ground slope around your foundation, and run a dehumidifier during wet weather.

How do you get a musty smell out of clothes?

Wash them on the warmest setting the fabric allows with your usual detergent, and add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Dry them completely, ideally in sunlight. Do not mix vinegar with bleach in the same load.

Getting rid of a musty smell comes down to one idea: dry it out, then clean it up. Once you find the source and keep humidity in check, your home will stay fresh without a single plug-in air freshener.