WITH the colder weather and drying clothes indoors, you may notice a musty smell in your home.
This is likely to be caused by dampness and is not only bad for your property but your health too.
Drying clothes indoors can contribute to damp smells and condensation[/caption]
Thankfully, with the below simple hacks, it’s never been easier to combat the problem.
Manish Jain, IICRC trained and certified Water Restoration Expert and business owner of Ministry of Cleaning, has revealed his top five hacks to combat damp smells.
Boost circulation
Trapped air is common, especially when windows and doors are kept shut.
For this reason, it’s recommended you open them regularly.
Even doing it for 10 minutes a day has been proven to reduce moisture in the air and therefore minimise the risk of dampness and mould.
Interior doors should be open too and furniture pulled away from walls to keep optimum air flow.
Use natural moisture absorbers
Baking soda naturally absorbs excess moisture and neutralises smells. This makes it an effective solution for damp rooms.
Simply place bowls of baking soda around your home – or rock salt as it works just as well.
Be sure to replace the contents every four weeks for best results.
Essential oils can even be added to the bowl for extra freshness.
Treat condensation quickly
Wipe away condensation from windows and doors every morning using a clean cloth.
If left, the excess moisture can turn into damp, smells and mould.
You can even place bowls of rice near windows to act as a DIY dehumidifier.
When showering or boiling food, keep doors shut and try to use an extractor fan or open a window to stop the steam from spreading.
Deep clean soft furnishings
Mattresses, carpets, curtains and upholstery should be cleaned regularly to remove lingering smells, excess moisture and bacteria.
Those items that can be put into the washing machine should be, but those that can’t can be freshened up with a homemade cleaning spray made from white vinegar and water.
Baking soda can be sprinkled on items, left for 30 minutes and vacuumed.
Keep your home smelling fresh
Despite best efforts, some smells just linger. In these events, you can place bowls of white vinegar around rooms.
The solution absorbs any smells and the vinegar smells disappear too.
Simmering a pot of orange peel, cloves and cinnamon works a treat as well.
But Manish adds: “While these methods can mask or reduce odours, addressing the underlying dampness is crucial for long-term results.”
