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Finding and eliminating the source of moisture, such as leaks or inadequate ventilation, is the first step in getting rid of a musty bathroom smell. A mixture of white vinegar and water in equal parts removes odors and kills mold, so clean all surfaces carefully. For tougher spots, use a professional mildew cleaner or a paste made with baking soda. Make sure the bathroom is well ventilated, by opening windows or using an exhaust fan to reduce humidity. Shower curtains, towels, and bathroom rugs can harbor mold, so wash and dry them regularly. To keep your space dry and mold-free, you should consider using a dehumidifier or moisture absorbent.
What Does Mildew Smell Like?
Often times, when someone says something smells, they mean mold. The smell of mold in the house can resemble the smell of rotting paper or wood. Once you air out the room and notice that the odor is still present, you can easily identify if you have mold or mildew. Fungi are the earliest type. If the scent goes away, you probably have mold; If it stays, you definitely have mold.
How to Remove Mildew Smell From Towels
Naturally, you will need to find the source of the unpleasant odor as soon as possible. With luck, you might just know it’s coming from your towel. If so, let them soak in all-fabric bleach for about half an hour, then give them a quick rinse before washing them. But be prepared to get your hands dirty if you find a discolored, sad mold patch in your tub.
Methods for Removing the Mildew Smell
Bathrooms require maintenance. You use them for the most personal and important tasks, so it is imperative that you keep them spotless. However, occasionally, despite your best efforts, you may smell a faint moldy odor and recognize that damage management is necessary. So where should we start?
Vinegar
- Soak a sponge in vinegar or fill a spray bottle to soak the affected areas.
- Let the solution sit for a few hours on the mildew, then
- Scrub with a coarse sponge. Have an old toothbrush? That will work too!
Essential Oils
Using essential oils is a great way to use delicious scents to mask unpleasant odors! After cleaning the area and soaking time with vinegar,
- Dilute grapefruit seed extract it in a spray bottle with some water
- Spray solution on the mildew to both tone down the smell of vinegar and also boost the vinegar’s ability to kill the mildew.
Tea Tree Oil
You can also use tea tree oil because of its antifungal properties. Additionally, you can use just tea tree oil instead of vinegar. Although not as pleasant as vinegar, it has a powerful aroma.
- Dilute it in water in a spray bottle
- Apply to the affected area
- Allow it to sit, then scrub away
Preventing Mildew Smell in the Future
The secret to avoiding moldy odors is to reduce humidity. Be careful to monitor wet areas such as laundry rooms, air conditioning ducts, and bathrooms.
Make sure your bath fan is big enough. If, after five to ten minutes, most of the moisture in your bathroom is not removed, your fans are not generating enough airflow. Verify the fan’s CFM volume, which is often indicated by a label under the grill. If your bathroom is too small, make it bigger. Here’s what to do if the walls in your bathroom seem like they’re getting moldy.
Invest in a humidity-sensing fan that will automatically turn on and off when the humidity in the ceiling rises and falls.
Use a squeegee shower every time you use it. Smelly shower drain? Here’s how you can get rid of the smell in your shower drain.
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