Musty Smell and Odor Elimination
If your house has a musty odor and is not “Midwest Fresh and Clean” the way you would like, the cause is probably hidden odors in your air vents, walls, carpets and upholstery. Call David to schedule upholstery and carpet cleaning, mold and moisture testing and mitigation, and air duct cleaning. But between cleanings, here are a few things you can do to help eliminate the musty smells that sometimes lurk within your home.
Vinegar – this is a great natural way to eliminate musty and unpleasant odors throughout your home. Vinegar is a natural fungicide, killing many mold spores that may be suspended in the air in your home. You can dilute vinegar in a spray bottle and mist it throughout the air in your home. A vinegar solution can also be applied to moldy areas in showers, tubs, drains, basements, and closets. Check for colorfastness before applying to the whole area.
Essential Oils – In a study done for the NIH, two doctors found that Peppermint, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, and Orange essential oils were effecting in killing all 22 strains of bacteria included in the study. Diluting a few drops of essential oil with a few drops of white vinegar and 2 cups of water in a mister bottle can help eliminate bacteria on surfaces like carpeting, vents, tile, grout, and upholstery, as well as airborne particles. Test for colorfastness on a small area before applying to the entire surface.
HEPA Filters – HEPA filters are proven to capture 99.97% of mold spores and airborne virus and bacteria. While there are still some microscopic strands that can get through, HEPA filters offer a great solution to keeping the air in your home clean, and free from musty smells and lingering odors due to airborne dust and bacteria. HEPA filters can be used in stand-alone room air filters, a central AC unit and even your vacuum.
Mold and Moisture Testing – Musty odors are typically the result of mold, mildew, and airborne virus and bacteria, and the primary source of life for these organisms is MOIST DARK areas. That means in your walls, in unventilated closets and bathrooms, basements, and even in your concrete slab. Here’s a great video explaining how moisture can remain in a foundation, creating an opportunity for mold growth, and how to deal with it. IICRC Certified in Odor Elimination, David can help you identify any moisture in your home and deal with the root cause of the unpleasant musty odor.
If you’re concerned about musty odors in your home or office, the root cause of the smells must be addressed by means of finding and killing bacteria, virus, mold and mildew in the air. Contact David today. He will help you keep your home or office “Midwest Fresh and Clean.”
