How to Get Rid of Mildew and Mold Smells

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A musty odor can be a sign that you have a mold or mildew problem. Here’s how to eliminate it with pantry staples or other easy-to-find products.

All your beautiful furnishings and well-planned design are for naught if your house is plagued by an unfortunate odor. “Household odors come from a variety of sources,” says Laura Haupert, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at OMI Industries, a maker of natural odor eliminators. “In the kitchen, discarded food scraps, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and ovens can be sources of bad odor.” 

Among unpleasant household odors, mold and mildew smells are undoubtedly some of the worst. And unfortunately, these smelly fungi are all too common, lurking in the dark, damp corners of your home. Rest assured that you can get rid of that mildew smell pretty easily, as long as you can identify the source of the odor. 

What makes a house smell musty?

That stale, funky smell that assaults your senses the minute you step inside your home is quite possibly caused by mold or mildew, which in turn is caused by moisture. Even diligent cleaner-uppers can be caught off guard by a leaky something or other that leads to fungi growth and the ensuing odors.

Opportunist mold and mildew spores, which occur naturally in air, can take advantage of a spot of moisture and begin reproducing, creating an unsightly and smelly mess. 

Mildew vs. mold: What’s the difference?

What is mildew? According to the EPA, “mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus.” More specifically, the term applies to particular types of mold, especially those with a flat, white or gray, powdery appearance. What we usually call mold is typically less flat and more fuzzy. It can be white, green, brown, or black in color. Both mold and mildew are fungi. 

What does mildew smell like? What does mold smell like? 

Mold and mildew both have a stale, musty, earthy smell. Their odor has been compared to that of wet socks or rotting wood. Mold’s odor is stronger and more pungent, and sometimes described as “meaty.” Mold also smells “damp.”

However it’s described, the smell of mildew and mold is definitely not appealing and is certainly something you’ll want to address. 

Before You Begin

Don protective gear, such as gloves, goggles, and mask, before working on any mold or mildew mitigation project. The CDC cautions that “exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin.” People who have asthma or allergies to molds may have more intense reactions, the agency says.