How to Eliminate “Old House Smell”

You bought the perfect home in the perfect location. There’s just one problem – it suffers from “old house smell”. You know the one – that musty odor that creeps up on you the minute you set foot inside. And it seems no amount of air freshener or scented candles can mask it.

To get rid of the smell, let’s first understand the probable causes:  poor ventilation, too much humidity, perhaps even a hidden water leak. Once you tackle the root causes, your home will smell fresh as a daisy! Here are 7 steps for banishing that “old house smell” once and for all.

Dry It Out – Look for and repair water leaks. Even a slow faucet leak can drive humidity levels upwards. Once the leak is repaired, open windows to let rooms air out, run air conditioning when whether permits, and ask a qualified plumber to inspect your plumbing.

Let the Sun In – Sunlight’s ultraviolet component is a natural disinfectant, so let in as much natural light as you can.

Wash the Walls – Walls can trap odors, so wash them before repainting.  Dissolve a half cup of Borax in a bucket of hot water, add 2 cups of white vinegar and 16 ounces of hydrogen peroxide. Using a clean sponge, wipe the walls down and allow them to air dry.

Clean (or Remove) Upholstery – Upholstered furniture and carpeting absorb ambient moisture and odors, so if you’re set on keeping them, have them professionally cleaned. If the odor starts creeping back in, it might be time to replace them.

Maintain HVAC Components – Have your HVAC system inspected and cleaned annually to clean out trapped dust, mold, or mildew. And be sure to clean or replace the heating and cooling filters roughly once a month.

Neutralize the Air – Leave opened containers of distilled white vinegar and baking soda in unobtrusive places to help absorb odors and trap excess moisture.

Declutter Under Sinks – The idea is to be able to spot a water leak right away without interference of cleaning products and other typical under-sink objects.

Here at Pann Home Services, we offer all the plumbing, heating and cooling service you might need, including annual cleanings and inspections.  Contact us today for the service you need.  Pann Home Services:  the company that guarantees your 100% satisfaction.