Have you ever wondered if mold smells? If you ever walked into a room and noticed musty or earthy odors, that’s probably a sign of mold growth. A lingering musty, foul, or unpleasant smell in your house indicates that there’s likely mold growth somewhere. Recognizing this smell can help you identify the presence of mold at an early stage. In this article, we will cover how to recognize and get rid of the smell of mold in your home.
Suspicious Smells & Odor Identification
Have you noticed an unfamiliar odor within your home? You may be concerned that the suspicious odor could be mold, but how can you know for sure? Odor identification can be extremely intimidating when you don’t know where to start or what you’re looking for. Before jumping to the conclusion that there is mold in your house, take a moment to see if it could be anything else causing the odor. Using the process of elimination will help you to identify where the odor is NOT coming from, significantly narrowing down your search.
Determine The Source Of The Odor
Unfamiliar odors are much different than other problems in the home, as they can not be seen. It’s not always an obvious source that’s right in front of your face, such as smoke or visible water damage. The truth is that you may not even know what you’re looking for. If you are concerned that it may be an underlying mold or moisture issue, here are some ways that you can rule out other odor sources first:
Sense of Smell
While it may seem like common sense, this is the best place to start when it comes to odor identification. The first thing you should do is determine which areas of your home are NOT experiencing any odor. This will narrow down your search so you don’t waste time in those areas. If it is a situation where the odor is present throughout your home, this may be indicative of a larger problem like mold or moisture issues.
Process of Elimination
By eliminating other odors from the area, you will be able to pinpoint where the odor you are searching for is coming from. Avoid using air fresheners, and empty the trash can so that no residual odors will impede your search. Your sense of smell is very sensitive, so it can easily get thrown off course during your odor identification process.
Areas That Experience High Moisture Content
Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements are areas of the home that tend to experience more moisture issues than others. When on the hunt for the source of an unfamiliar odor, especially if you suspect that it could be mold, these areas are prime suspects. Whether it be steam and condensation, or poor ventilation, these areas of the home tend to be more susceptible to moisture damage and mold.
Other Areas To Check
Ensure that you are not overlooking any areas that could be potentially hiding something. When it comes to odor identification, it is important that you think outside the box. Check behind furniture, any wall or ceiling voids, small closets, or even just a random corner that you wouldn’t suspect. You never know where the source of an odor may be coming from, and it’s best to be as thorough as possible.
Once you’ve gone through these steps, you should’ve either identified the odor, or at the very least you’ve narrowed down your search. Once you determine the source of the odor, you’ll be able to move forward with getting rid of it. In the event that you do discover that the source of the odor is mold, regular household cleaners or air fresheners are not going to do the trick.
What Does Mold Smell Like?
Mold’s smell is often described as musty, damp, or earthy. You can smell mold within just 24 hours of the spores starting to form. However, if only a small amount of mold is present, it might be hard to smell immediately. The longer the mold grows and the more it spreads, the stronger and more recognizable the smell will be.
How to Get Rid of the Smell of Mold
Once you’ve gotten rid of the mold, here are some of the most effective ways to get rid of any lingering smells of mold in your home:
- Spread baking soda in your home’s crawl space or basement
- Use an air purifier or air freshener
- Spray distilled white vinegar
- Open your home’s door and windows, or use a fan
- Wash mold-affected fabrics with white vinegar and baking soda
Keep Your Home Fresh and Healthy
If you ever smell musty or unpleasant odors in your home’s basement or crawl space, consider hiring a reliable mold remediation service provider. Lamunyon Mold provides customized mold remediation services at an affordable price. Contact us today for a free inspection and consultation!
