How to Get Rid of Musty Smells in Your Home

That stale, earthy, damp smell that hits you when you walk into certain rooms — musty odor is one of the most common household complaints, and it is especially prevalent in Oregon homes. The Pacific Northwest combination of heavy rainfall, mild temperatures, and older housing stock creates ideal conditions for the mold and mildew growth that produces musty smells.

A musty smell is not just unpleasant — it is a signal. It means moisture is accumulating somewhere in your home, and mold or mildew has started growing. Masking the smell with air fresheners or candles does nothing to address the underlying problem. This guide helps you find the source, eliminate it, and prevent the smell from coming back.

Step 1: Find the Source of the Smell

Before you can fix a musty smell, you need to find where it is coming from. Walk through your home and note where the smell is strongest. Common sources include:

Basements and Crawl Spaces

These are the number one source of musty smells in homes. Ground moisture seeps through concrete foundations, and poor ventilation traps the dampness. In Oregon, where rain is frequent from October through June, basement moisture is especially common. Check for visible dampness on walls, condensation on pipes, and standing water.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms that lack adequate ventilation trap steam from showers, leading to mold growth on grout, caulk, ceilings, and behind walls. If your bathroom exhaust fan is weak, broken, or non-existent, this is likely contributing to the smell.

Closets and Storage Areas

Closets against exterior walls can develop condensation, especially in winter when warm interior air meets a cold wall. Stored clothing and linens absorb this moisture and develop a musty smell. Check for damp clothes, mildew spots on walls, or a stale smell when you open the door.

HVAC Systems and Ductwork

Mold can grow inside air conditioning units and ductwork, distributing musty air throughout your entire home. If the smell is present in every room, your HVAC system may be the culprit. Check the drain pan under your AC unit and inspect visible ductwork for mold.

Washing Machines

Front-loading washing machines are notorious for developing mold in the rubber door gasket. If your laundry room smells musty, pull back the door seal and check for black mold growth.

Hidden Water Leaks

A slow leak under a sink, behind a wall, or from a roof can create a persistent musty smell without any visible water. If you cannot find the source of the smell, check for water stains on ceilings, warped flooring, or peeling paint — all signs of hidden moisture.

Step 2: Eliminate the Musty Smell

Fix the Moisture Problem First

No amount of cleaning eliminates a musty smell permanently if the moisture source is still active. Address the root cause:

• Fix leaks immediately — plumbing, roof, or foundation.
• Improve ventilation — install or repair exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Run a dehumidifier in basements, crawl spaces, and any room where humidity stays above 50%. In Oregon homes, a dehumidifier running in the basement from fall through spring is often essential.
• Seal basement walls with a waterproofing paint or membrane if ground moisture is seeping through.
• Grade landscaping away from the foundation so rainwater drains away from, not toward, your home.

Clean Affected Surfaces

Once you have addressed the moisture, clean any surfaces where mold or mildew has grown:

1. Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray affected walls, floors, shelves, and surfaces.
3. Let the vinegar solution sit for 15 minutes.
4. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
5. For mold on hard surfaces, use undiluted vinegar or a 3% hydrogen peroxide spray.
6. Let surfaces dry completely before replacing items.

Wash All Affected Fabrics

Musty-smelling clothes, linens, curtains, and towels need washing to remove the odor:

• Wash in the hottest water the fabric allows.
• Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle — vinegar neutralizes musty odors.
• For heavily affected items, soak in a solution of one cup baking soda per gallon of warm water for one hour before washing.
• Dry in direct sunlight if possible — UV light kills mold spores and freshens fabric.

Step 3: Absorb Remaining Odors

After cleaning, use natural odor absorbers to capture any lingering musty smell:

Baking Soda

Place open boxes or bowls of baking soda in musty rooms, closets, and the basement. Baking soda absorbs odors from the air over time. Replace every 30 days. For carpeted rooms, sprinkle baking soda over the carpet, let it sit for 30 minutes, and vacuum thoroughly.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal bags (like Moso Natural or Breathe Fresh) are highly effective odor absorbers. Place them in closets, basements, bathrooms, and near any area with a lingering smell. They last up to two years and can be refreshed by placing them in direct sunlight for a few hours monthly.

White Vinegar Bowls

Place bowls of white vinegar in musty rooms overnight. The vinegar absorbs airborne odor molecules. The vinegar smell dissipates within hours, taking the musty odor with it.

Fresh Air and Sunlight

Open windows whenever weather permits to circulate fresh air through your home. Sunlight and airflow are natural enemies of mold and musty odors. Even in Oregon's rainy months, take advantage of dry days to air out your home.

Room-Specific Solutions

Basement

Run a dehumidifier continuously, targeting 40 to 50% humidity. Ensure gutters direct water away from the foundation. Seal concrete floors and walls with a waterproof sealant. Consider a sump pump if water intrusion is a recurring issue.

Closets

Do not pack closets too tightly — air needs to circulate. Leave closet doors open periodically. Place an activated charcoal bag or a container of baking soda on the shelf. For closets on exterior walls, consider a small closet dehumidifier or moisture absorber like DampRid.

Bathrooms

Run the exhaust fan for 20 minutes after every shower. Clean grout and caulk with vinegar monthly. If the fan is weak, replace it with a higher-CFM model — look for at least 80 CFM for a standard bathroom.

Washing Machine

Run an empty hot water cycle with two cups of vinegar monthly. Leave the door open between loads to let the drum dry. Wipe the rubber door gasket with vinegar weekly. If mold is established in the gasket, scrub it with a toothbrush dipped in a baking soda paste.

Special Considerations for Oregon Homes

Oregon homes face unique musty smell challenges due to the climate:

• Extended rainy season (October through June) means basements and crawl spaces stay damp for months.
• Older homes in Portland, Salem, and Eugene often have inadequate vapor barriers in crawl spaces, allowing ground moisture to rise into the living space.
• Moss and organic debris on roofs can retain moisture and lead to attic dampness.
• Dense vegetation close to homes — common in Oregon neighborhoods — reduces airflow around the foundation and keeps exterior walls damp.

If you live in an Oregon home with persistent musty smells, consider having a crawl space inspection and adding a vapor barrier. This is one of the most effective long-term solutions for Willamette Valley homes.

A Fresh-Smelling Home Starts with Dry Air

Musty smells are always a moisture problem. Find the source, fix it, clean the affected areas, and maintain proper ventilation and humidity levels. A dehumidifier, regular cleaning, and good airflow habits keep most homes smelling fresh year-round — even in the Pacific Northwest.

For homes that need a comprehensive fresh start, a professional deep cleaning tackles the surfaces, fabrics, and hidden areas where musty odors lurk. Otesse serves homes throughout Oregon's I-5 corridor, from Portland to Eugene, with cleaning services designed for the unique challenges of Pacific Northwest living.