Mould_growing_feature
Table of Contents​
Buildfix team ready for foundation repair and subsidence assessment onsite.

#1 Structural Repair Top-Rated in Australia

We’re happy to check your home for FREE.

Damp smells: how to get rid of them from your home

A strong damp smell is an indicator there’s too much moisture in your home. These strong smells come from mould and mildew growing in places you can’t see.On top of smelling terrible, damp smells can also cause health issues. They exacerbate the symptoms of asthma and allergies and can trigger sneezing, coughing and wheezing.Here are some of our top tips to rid your home of that damp smell.

Find where the damp smell is coming from

The first thing you need to do is to find it’s source. Quite often, this is something simple.It could be a wet bath towel that’s been shoved under the bed and forgotten about. A soaking sponge that’s fallen behind the kitchen counter but left there. Or even a bottle of liquids that’s cracked way, way in the back of your kitchen pantry — but never been wiped down.Find the source of the damp smell and then clean it up.

Find where the damp smell is coming from

Open all your windows and doors

The smell of damp hangs because of a lack of airflow. Giving your home some ventilation can clear out the smell.Open up all your windows and if possible your front and back doors for maximum airflow. And don’t forget to open cupboard doors in your kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms.Pull your blinds aside to let as much sunshine through the windows as possible. Sunshine will help dry up the moisture.

Use ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathroom

When cooking, moisture rises from everything from boiling water through to meats and vegetables roasting in the oven. In the bathroom, hot showers and baths create plenty of steam.By using your ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathroom, you’ll expel moisture from your home and reduce the possibility of damp smells returning.

Absorb damp smells with baking soda in small spaces

If you’ve cleaned all your cupboards and closets but the damp smell lingers, baking soda might help. Put some into a wide, open bowl and place it into the small space.Leave it there for the next 24 hours. The baking soda should absorb the smell. Afterwards, throw the baking soda into the bin. You won’t be able to use it for cooking after that.

Tried everything but the damp smell won’t go away?

Moisture is the source of all damp smells. Keeping your home well ventilated and dry at all times is the key to stopping them.If you’ve tried our suggestions but the smells persist, there could be something more serious going on in your home. It could be It could be leaking pipes or rising dampOur specialist structural engineers can help you identify the source of damp smells.If you’re concerned, let us know. We’d be happy to help with a FREE inspection.Just give us a call on 1300 854 115 or book a FREE inspection today.

View more Help & Advice

Help & Advice

A resource collection of articles, tips and advice

Brick wall with jagged cracks showing subsidence and need for foundation repair.
Wall cracks are common in Australian homes, but not all mean something's wrong. Some are harmless signs of natural...
Jagged ceiling and wall crack indicating subsidence and structural foundation damage.
Every home experiences settlement to some extent. But differential movement occurs when sections of a structure settle u...
Modern kitchen showing foundation repair after subsidence with concealed HelicalBar reinforcements.
Planning a home renovation is exciting. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek new kitchen, a luxurious bathroom...
Water ingress causing rising damp on concrete slab near sliding door entry.
If you’re planning a renovation, self-levelling compound might seem like the perfect fix for uneven floors...
Scuffed baseboard with chipped paint indicating wall cracks and foundation movement.
A sloping floor is easy to dismiss—until it gets worse. What starts as a slight tilt can turn into misaligned walls, sti...
Close-up of brick wall seam highlighting mortar cracks and foundation repair needs.
A damp proof course (DPC) is your home’s first line of defense against rising damp, stopping moisture from creeping up t...
Water overshoots gutter, risking foundation subsidence and rising damp near patio.
Poor drainage around your home leads to water pooling, soil erosion, and foundation movement. Signs include mould,...
Large foundation wall crack indicating structural movement and potential subsidence issues.
Reactive clay soil is a significant concern for Australian homeowners, capable of causing major structural damage if pre...
Crawl space foundation repair with concrete piers, timber beams, and drainage pipes.
Traditional restumping is an invasive process to replace deteriorated sinking stumps in older homes. It can restore stab...
Hand peels wallpaper to reveal rising damp caused by subsidence Red cricket ball indicates possible foundation movement near overflowing gutter Man inspects under house for structural damage and wall cracks with flashlight.
Before buying a home, pay careful attention to the cosmetic touch-ups....
Example of Subsidence
You don't need to be a geological expert or structural engineer to understand what subsidence is...
guttering_feature_image
Guttering is designed to direct water away from your home and its foundations...