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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.

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 damp