Unpleasant smell in the apartment: causes and simple ways to deal with it. Practical tips on how to get rid of the smell of dampness

The appearance of mold in the apartment is an extremely unpleasant fact. It is not only a source of a disgusting smell, but also poses a threat to human health, as it can cause many diseases. Therefore, if the smell of mold appears, you must immediately take measures to eliminate it. You will have to be patient, because getting rid of an idle guest is not so easy.

Causes of mold

According to experts, the main cause of mold is dampness. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to establish a source of moisture in the apartment. This can be done by doing basic research.

If mold covers the corner facing outer wall apartments, then we are probably talking about gaps in panel wall, poor insulation of a brick fence or from time to time building materials have become unusable.
The formation of mold colonies on the floor or in the lower areas of the corners indicates poor waterproofing. Most likely there was a water leak in the basement and damp air rises into the room.
In the bathroom or toilet, the presence of mold can be explained by a leak in the mine, at the location water pipes and sewers.
If mold covers miscellaneous items and seen in various places, this is a sure sign of high humidity and poor ventilation of the room.

It is extremely rare for mold to form in a closet. As a result of its appearance, not only an unpleasant smell occurs, but also difficult to remove stains on clothes. The most common cause of mold damage to things in the closet is the storage of damp items of clothing or linen. Such a problem may also arise due to the fact that the walls of the room are already affected by the fungus. This is especially true in older high-rise buildings. Initially accumulating under the sinks and in the corners, the mold can quickly spread throughout the room if not responded to in a timely manner.

The appearance of mold on shoes is associated with improper storage or insufficient drying. Moreover, a dangerous fungus can settle both outside and inside.

How to get rid of the smell of mold in the apartment

Elimination of a fetid moldy odor is possible with the help of a ready-made preparation sold in hardware stores. Such industrial aerosols are able to absorb excess moisture and prevent further spread. dangerous fungus.

However, many prefer folk remedies. At the same time, getting rid of the smell comes down to the destruction of the source of its distribution - mold. The most common ways are as follows:

Chlorine bleach is great for mold. With a mixture of 1 part of the product and 10 parts of water, the area affected by the fungus is wiped. When using such a solution, it is important to be careful, because bleach is toxic.
Hydrogen peroxide is a great help, but it should be used without diluting it in water. In addition, such a simple tool is able to "eat" the color, so it should be used very carefully on surfaces. To remove mold stains, just spray a little peroxide on them, then simply rinse the area with water.
Vinegar is indispensable in the fight against fungus and the smell emanating from it. If you apply it to the affected surface, and after an hour rinse with water, then you can get rid of the problem. A similar procedure can be repeated after 7-8 days for prevention purposes.
Baking soda is not only indispensable assistant in the kitchen, it is also a merciless enemy of mold. The solution is prepared simply: a teaspoon of the product is added to a glass of water. To eliminate the problem, it is enough to wipe it with a sponge moistened with a solution. problem areas or just spray.
You can also use ammonia as a weapon, which can quickly and easily destroy all traces of the fungus. Its use is relevant for surfaces that do not have a porous structure. Alcohol is diluted in the same amount of water, after which it is gently sprayed onto the affected area. After 2-3 hours, everything must be washed off with water. From the fungus and a trace will not remain.
Most often, mold settles in the bathroom. A spray bottle containing a 5% acetic solution can get rid of bad smell. And adding a few drops of essential oil to such a product turns it into an air freshener.

Removing mold is half the battle. It is important to permanently get rid of her presence in the apartment. This can be done by reducing the humidity in the room. For this:

Take care of the hood in the kitchen or bathroom. Check if it is correct.
Washed clothes should not be dried indoors at all.
It is advisable to always ventilate the room after wet cleaning.
You can use a dehumidifier used in everyday life.

Most of the mold accumulates in the area of \u200b\u200bthe corners. Therefore, it is advisable to place the collecting mixture at these points. It's easy to prepare. It is enough to mix 100 grams of table salt with powdered 2-3 plates activated carbon. Place the resulting product in a container with a wide neck, and do not forget to change it every seven days.

How to Remove Mold Smell from Shoes

It is not uncommon for spring shoes that you take out after a long winter to be covered with terrible mold and fragrant with unpleasant odors. Do not rush and resort to drastic measures! You can get rid of this problem quickly and easily. Ordinary vinegar mixed with the same amount of water will come to the rescue. To begin with, brush off the affected shoes with as much mold as possible. After that, moisten a napkin in the prepared composition and carefully remove the remnants of the fungus with it. Finally, wipe the shoes with a towel to absorb any remaining liquid.

There is another remedy. To begin with, the shoes are thoroughly washed with warm soapy water. The inside is wiped with a chlorine-containing composition for disinfection. After that, a mixture is prepared from ammonia and vodka, taken in equal quantities, with which the shoes are wiped both outside and inside. After processing, it is exposed to the open air for several days.

Important! It is impossible to wear untreated shoes or boots infected with mold fungus, otherwise the skin may suffer.

When you find that your wardrobe has acquired a specific moldy smell, you need to take a number of steps to eliminate it.

Firstly, it is necessary in the sun, during the whole day, to dry such things affected by the fungus. Secondly, after drying, wash them again with powder and with the addition of special means removing odors. Then dry the clothes outside in the sun.

After that, the affected elements of the wardrobe can be folded into a closet, while it is recommended to place special drying sheets between them. Such sheets prevent the appearance of mold, but they will have to be changed regularly.

You can also remove the smell of mold from clothes in the following ways:

Wipe things with onion juice;
Treat clothes with lemon juice (only suitable for light clothes);
Rinse things in water with the addition of vinegar;
Use bleach (not necessarily chlorine). Chemical composition this product contains active substances that kill the fungus.

Remember that drying clothes outside, especially in summer period, will help to avoid an unpleasant problem.

How to get rid of mold smell in closet

The appearance of mold in the closet is not uncommon. The difficulty of solving the problem lies in the fact that behind the hangers and drawers it is not possible to detect a colony of the fungus immediately, and this delays the process of its elimination. Only with the advent of a specific musty smell, the search for the root cause begins.

If mold is found in a closet, this means that the entire contents of the wardrobe are also infected and must be temporarily placed outside.

The source of mold is most likely a wall, so the closet should be moved away and the places of fungal settlements should be treated. The inner surface is thoroughly wiped with hydrogen peroxide, the outer space is washed with a mixture of baking soda and water. After all procedures, the cabinet should be thoroughly dried.
Valid proven the old fashioned way, according to which, after thorough cleaning, gauze and cotton swabs soaked in vinegar are laid out in the closet. After 24 hours, it is necessary to wipe the places of accumulation of mold ammonia, then hang various aromatics.
The steam generator is an excellent assistant in the unequal fight against a dangerous fungus. It will eliminate mold colonies and spores.

You can fold and hang clothes in the closet only after it dries well. The things themselves must also pass. antiseptic treatment(described above).

Among housewives, it is not uncommon for the washed laundry to be removed from the machine immediately. This is fraught with sad consequences. Wet laundry is in the drum, where it dries. Moisture accumulates on the inner surfaces of the washing machine. Therefore, specific flavors appear.

By adhering to simple rules, you can save yourself from such problems. For example, you should not leave laundry in the washing machine, you should always take it out. The door of such equipment can be left open at least overnight, allowing the drum to dry and ventilate. Frequent ventilation of not only the machine, but also the room in which it is installed will not interfere.

To get rid of mildew odor washing machine, a number of steps need to be taken.

The first step is to clean the rubber seal. To do this, you need a slightly diluted solution of vitriol, with which the cuff is carefully wiped. After 24 hours, everything must be washed off with water and detergent.
The next step is to clean the drum. Citric acid is perfect for this. Half a glass of this product is poured into the powder section, the washing mode is set and the technique starts. After such actions, the washed laundry will be especially fresh, and you will have to forget about the smell of mold.

You can eliminate the fungus in the drum in a different way. 1 liter of whiteness is poured into the machine, the washing mode is set at maximum high temperature and runs through the longest cycle. At the end of the procedure, the powder tray is pulled out, cleaned with vinegar or whiteness, washed with water and dried.

If, after completing all the measures described, the smell of mold has not disappeared, then the fungus is confidently spreading further and it will not be so easy to get rid of it.

Mold odor prevention

The best cure for mold odor is prevention. If you stick to some simple rules, then the likelihood of encountering a similar problem is minimized.

Never leave wet or damp clothes in the basket. It should be dried or washed immediately.
Rooms in which a dangerous fungus is likely to appear should be ventilated more often. These include the basement, bathroom, toilet, pantry.
In residential areas suffering from dampness, it makes sense to give Special attention insulation, waterproofing. These measures will help to combat excessive air humidity and thus prevent the formation of mold.
Box and mat cat litter capable of absorbing mildew odors. However, this method is more suitable for non-residential premises and cellars.

Wherever mold is found in the house, this is a sure sign that warns of a violation of normal air exchange. Taking immediate action will not only get rid of a dangerous fungus, but also maintain the health of all household members.

Video: how to get rid of mold folk remedies

main reason increased dampness in a residential area there is an excess of humidity when it exceeds the normal rate - 60%. This provides the basis for the formation of a suitable environment in which moldy mushrooms feel ideal. Excessive humidity in the apartment is easy to determine - it condenses in the morning on window panes, things become damp in the closet, and dampness begins to be felt in the air. If you take timely measures to dry things and the room, you can prevent the spread of fungal mold. Also, a room temperature above 20 degrees is suitable for the fungus, this allows spores to multiply faster, creating significant pockets of mold.

High humidity is one of the main causes of mold growth.

Before you begin to eliminate an unpleasant damp smell, it is necessary to carry out a set of procedures to identify mold and destroy it. Once the source of dampness is identified, the smell can be removed using simple methods. Where can moldy fungi come from if the atmosphere in the house has been good for many years? This can happen due to various factors - both through the fault of the owners, and due to completely extraneous influences.

Some causes of mold:

when installing walls and foundations, waterproofing was not done well enough, and the roof was leaking and the basement was being heated;
in a multi-storey building, a fairly common occurrence is when the apartment is flooded by neighbors on the floor above;
violation of the water or heat supply pipe system, breakthrough or leakage;
improperly planned heating system;
dampness can come from bathrooms and kitchen facilities to all other rooms;
after washing, things are often dried in the house. If possible, this should be done on the balcony, but if there is no such option, then it is necessary to ventilate the rooms well after that;
sometimes the culprit of dampness can be a large amount indoor flowers, which, with abundant watering, create an excess of moisture;
accidentally forgotten wet or damp things, such as rags after general cleaning can also cause an increase in humidity.

Besides that appearance surfaces and things affected by mold cause discomfort, this type of fungus is very difficult to remove. Sometimes the struggle with it becomes an exhausting long-term process. In addition to the aroma of dampness in the air, things are gradually saturated with mold and become unusable. But besides the aesthetic moments, there are also health-related danger factors.

It is necessary to fight mold, it spoils not only the aesthetic appearance, but is also harmful to health.

It has been noticed that most often mold affects surfaces that contain carbon substances - these are fabric, paper, wood, leather and building materials on mineral basis. The growth rate of the fungus sometimes reaches fantastic values - with favorable conditions(the ratio of humidity and temperature), the mass of the fungus can increase almost 10 times per day. Due to the fact that there is not one, but about 20 types of molds that settle in residential buildings, it is sometimes difficult to choose exactly the way to deal with each of them, which will actually be effective.

The fungus has active enzymes, the action of which is aimed at the gradual decomposition of any organic substances. Once on any surface, the fungus begins to gradually destroy it. As a result of its activity, harmful chemicals are formed that are dangerous to human health. When entering the body, fungal spores with the help of enzymes lead to disruption of metabolic processes, destroy protective system cells and open access for harmful microorganisms - viruses, bacteria. In addition, the most dangerous effect of mold is the ability to disrupt the genetic structure of DNA, which contains hereditary information.

Large colonies of mold produce toxic substances in such quantities that their accumulation in the body can even lead to the development of oncological formations. Once in the liver, toxins are usually processed by the body, but their excess gradually leads to slow poisoning. When you inhale the air in which the spores hover, they begin to accumulate in the bronchi and lungs, causing respiratory diseases.

Mold adversely affects human health

Mold spores cause many diseases:

allergies (rhinitis, asthma);
dermatosis;
cough
sore throats;
toxic poisoning of the body;
mycosis (candidiasis, aspergillosis);
colds (due to reduced immunity);
increased exposure to viruses and pathological bacteria;
malignant tumors, leukemia (carcinogenic effect);
headaches and dizziness.

Almost every house has a bathroom, kitchen and flower pots with indoor flowers. What unites these three places is that almost ideal conditions for fungus. These are the places that you should pay attention to first.

The biggest chance of mold is the bathroom, where it is always warm, high humidity and poor ventilation. The fungus infects the seams between the tiles, the tile itself, the sink, washcloths and the seams near the bathtub.
You can see mold in the kitchen cutting boards, wooden handles of knives, bread box, refrigerator and other places. The danger is that in the kitchen there is a high probability that fungal spores will enter the digestive tract along with food.
Surprisingly, the presence of indoor flowers in the apartment significantly increases the risk of mold. When watering plants, an excess amount of moisture can form, which, together with a suitable temperature, leads to increased growth of the fungus.

How to remove the smell of dampness in the house

If you ensure that the room is well dried, while eliminating the main cause of mold in the house, in some cases the smell may disappear on its own over time. However, more often the use of special means to reduce humidity is required. For example, portable room dehumidifiers can be found on the market that effectively reduce excess humidity. Of the home methods, a wide container with a thin layer of salt poured in is a good remedy, which perfectly absorbs moisture in the room.

How to get rid of the smell of mold in the apartment with significant affected areas? You can use professional products such as Antifungal or Antimold. Whiteness, alcohol or ordinary vinegar also has a good effect. By wiping infected surfaces with these liquids, you can achieve a good effect on. When the fungus has already reached the ceiling and upper sections of the walls, the only solution to the problem will be good repair. In this case, you can not do without ripped off the wallpaper and removing the plaster, otherwise the mold will appear again and again.

At the same time, it is necessary to check if there is mold under the linoleum, wallpaper or carpet. You should also take care of drying clothes, shoes, upholstered furniture and carpets on the balcony, and even better on the street under direct sunlight. Those surfaces that can be treated are wiped with vinegar - it does an excellent job of eliminating musty and unpleasant odors. Especially carefully it is necessary to process upholstered furniture, as it is able to absorb odors and keep fungal spores inside for a long time. For deep cleaning, disinfectant solutions and detergents are used.

What to do if the carpet is damaged? The best solution would be, of course, washing - in dry cleaning or on your own. It will be much cheaper on its own. Usually in household chemical stores you can find good remedy for cleaning carpets or upholstery. Following the instructions, you need to dilute the liquid in the right ratio and make a thick foam. After processing, it is enough to let the carpet dry thoroughly and the unpleasant smell will go away forever.

You can clean the carpet in a dry cleaner or on your own.

What can be done in the bathroom

The most common fungal target in the bathroom is the seams between tiles. Often this is due to poor drafting. What can be done:

do minor repairs and install a new exhaust system;
spare no expense to buy a powerful exhaust fan;
take care of the towel dryer;
ventilate the bathroom frequently.

If there are affected areas, they can be treated with a solution containing bleach. It copes well with mold, which is why it is added to many antifungal products. Also, a steam cleaner, which is usually treated with various household surfaces to clean them, has an excellent effect. In the same way, you can use this device for tiles, walls, seams and joints in the bathroom.

If unpleasant, located in the bathroom, you can use citric acid. It needs to be taken only 100 grams and added to the compartment for washing powder. The acid will remove the formed raids on the elements of the machine and eliminate the cause of the musty smell.

The bathroom is one of the first to be affected by mold.

If mold has entered the closet

The first step is to get all the things, even those that, at first glance, are untouched by the fungus. Lightweight garments can be dried in the sun for several hours, while heavy outerwear may take several days in the sun. Only absolutely dry things can be put back in the closet.

The cabinet itself is treated with a solution of water and vinegar, or diluted bleach. It is necessary to dry the furniture with the doors open to provide access to clean air. To make the laundry usable again, you can iron it through a damp cloth with a hot iron. The action of steam kills fungal spores and eliminates unpleasant odors. Delicate items can be dry-cleaned for professional processing.

If unpleasant smell goes from the basement

With increased dampness in the basement, a lot of strength and patience will be required, since a lot of work is needed here. And this can be the elimination of the main reason, since you can only get rid of the smell of dampness in the house by starting from the basement. First of all, pipes are checked, and if they leak or break, they need to be replaced. It is also important to waterproof the walls and ceiling in the basement. For these purposes, issued special liquids protecting against moisture penetration.

The result of exposure to fumes from the basement on the apartment on the first floor

You can ask for help from special repair organizations or do the job yourself. At self repair basement, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations and instructions so that the putty and plaster are made efficiently and reliably. When everything is ready, you can periodically use a dehumidifier in the basement, which will rid the basement of excess moisture.

Preventive measures

To prevent the reappearance of moldy fungus in the house, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate when wet cleaning in the apartment. Dusting surfaces in your home can not only protect them from mold, but also freshen up the smell.

Linen bags with coffee beans can be placed inside cabinets or chests of drawers.

When cleaning a room high humidity you can periodically leave salt in it, which also not only absorbs moisture, but also contributes to the aroma of freshness in the house. If there are any essential oils, you can use a few drops to create a wonderful aromatization of the apartment. Oils with aromas of coriander, citrus or mint will be especially pleasant.

Very often, a characteristic unpleasant smell of dampness can appear in the house if there is poor air circulation in the premises. In addition to the appearance of a musty aroma, a high level of humidity can lead to serious problems - the formation of fungus, peeling of the lining, swelling or decay of wooden structures and other elements. In this regard, the owners often wonder how to get rid of the smell of dampness in various rooms.

First of all, it is necessary to establish the cause of the smell of dampness in the apartment. This will allow more efficient removal of unwanted odor.

The house may begin to smell damp due to constant high level humidity. Most often this applies to the bathroom. A lot of water constantly accumulates in this room, which is not able to evaporate quickly. If there is no good air circulation, then stagnant water will lead to dampness. Over time, the fragrance may spread to adjacent rooms (for example, the kitchen, corridor or living room).

Often in multi-storey buildings, old plumbing systems leak. For this reason, water begins to accumulate in basements and on separate sections between floors. In the apartment, the smell comes from the ventilation shaft, and you can also feel it in the entrance, going out to the site.

The smell can appear with poorly executed waterproofing. Having found this problem, it will not be difficult to fix it.

The most common reasons for the appearance of a characteristic aroma of dampness in rooms are everyday situations. The owners of private houses or apartments on the top floor periodically encounter the fact that there is a defect in the roof. As a result, rain and melt water enters the floors above the ceiling. If its amount is insignificant, then fungus and mold may begin to appear. sewer problems or plumbing system may appear at your neighbors, from which the wallpaper and baseboard will begin to dampen and swell in the rooms.

The problem may arise in rooms where they are grown houseplants. At frequent watering colors and irregular ventilation, a characteristic smell will appear, since excess moisture will be saved.

Video "Fighting dampness in the house"

From the video you will learn how to deal with dampness in a house or apartment.

How to eliminate the smell left after the flood?

How to remove the smell of dampness in the house if the neighbors from above flooded you? The situation is not uncommon for those who live in high-rise buildings. If the flood was strong, then the owners usually try to immediately make repairs to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor, mold and fungus.

First you need to thoroughly dry the walls and ceiling. Drying can be done with an air conditioner, fan or building hair dryer. After that, the outer layer of the cladding, wallpaper or other coating that has been soaked with water is removed. If the damp area was not immediately detected, then the mold will need to be removed. The surface is then treated chemicals, vinegar solution or baking soda. Before new wallpaper is glued or putty is applied, the walls and ceiling are covered with a special antibacterial compound that prevents the appearance of fungus.

If the effects of the flood on the neighbors are insignificant, then repairs can be omitted. Eliminating the smell of dampness will not be difficult. It is necessary to ventilate the room every day and dry the place well where signs of moisture accumulation have appeared. In the summer, the window can not be closed at all, and the walls will dry quickly. In winter, use household appliances for drying.

You can get rid of an unpleasant odor with the help of special odor absorbers, which are sold in hardware and construction stores.

How to quickly get rid of the smell in the bathroom, closet, basement at home?

Owners are often interested in how to quickly get rid of the smell of dampness in the house if mold has appeared in the basements or furniture. You can remove an unpleasant odor with folk remedies and special impregnation.

You can prepare an acetic solution that needs to be treated with a surface with a fungus. To effectively remove mold, it is necessary to take products with a caustic aggressive composition, which have a detrimental effect on organic matter.

With a sufficient concentration of the main agent, the treatment will completely get rid of pathogenic microflora and unpleasant odors. Acetic solution can be replaced by other means - ammonia, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide.

If mold or a characteristic aroma has appeared in the cabinet, then surface treatment must be carried out using hot steam. This method is well suited to eliminate the smell of dampness in the car. In the closet, you can put packages with fragrant soap, use essential oils.

You can use formulations with bleach (in a small concentration). In this case, be sure to follow safety precautions, and use rubber gloves to protect your skin from chemical burns.

It is more difficult to remove the smell of dampness in the basement or cellar than in other rooms, since sunlight does not get here, and the air is usually poorly ventilated. Before you remove the smell itself, you need to find the cause of its appearance. If you do not eliminate the cause of the formation of mold, then you will not be able to get rid of the smell. Often, to obtain the desired effect, it is necessary to carry out major work, which involves replacing pipes, updating wall and ceiling insulation, and removing wet earth. Usually it is difficult to cope with this on your own, you have to contact companies that carry out the relevant work.

Prevention methods

Since it is more difficult to eliminate an unpleasant odor after its appearance than to prevent such a possibility, it is necessary to periodically carry out preventive measures. If you want to prevent the smell of dampness in your apartment, then it is advisable to follow some recommendations.

The main thing is to regularly ventilate your apartment so that moist air does not stagnate. enclosed spaces It is advisable to periodically open so that fresh air enters there. The optimum humidity level will be 65%. You can install an air conditioner in the room, and if necessary, adjust the temperature of the air, as well as its humidity.

Private houses usually have cellars and cellars in which a lot of moisture accumulates. She comes from ground water, after penetration under the foundation of the house of melt or rainwater. If there is a smell of dampness in such rooms where food or tools are stored, urgent measures must be taken. Pre-installation of good waterproofing will prevent this problem.

People who first encountered the problem of mold in an apartment often try to eliminate the smell with air fresheners and various flavors. But after a while it appears again, since such products do not help get rid of the smell of dampness in the apartment, but only mask it. You can finally eliminate the specific aroma only by getting rid of the source of the problem - the fungus.

Causes of dampness

To permanently get rid of mold, you need to find out the cause of its appearance. There may be several factors for its reproduction:

the premises were flooded by neighbors or as a result of a large amount of precipitation;
broken pipes for water supply or heating of the house;
insufficient ventilation leads to the formation of condensate;
poor-quality installation of plates in panel houses;
flooded basement.

These are the main reasons for the smell of dampness in the house. Even if they were not detected, the apartment still needs to be ventilated periodically. This is especially true for those rooms in which the doors are constantly closed. If the house has an air conditioner that supports the function of adjusting the level of air humidity, then you need to use it more often.

How to get rid of the smell after a flood

After major flooding, the room just needs repairs. But before that, the rooms should be thoroughly dried and all mold should be destroyed. The last and most difficult stage will be the priming of the walls with special compounds with antibacterial additives.

If the ceiling and walls have received only minor damage, then the smell can be eliminated as quickly as possible:

First you need to measure the level of humidity in the apartment with a special hygrometer. Depending on what results it shows, a heater or dryer is installed in the room.
After that, you should spray a special odor absorber on the affected areas and check if mold has started up in hard-to-reach places (under the linoleum, at the joints, behind the wallpaper).
As preventive work, take out blankets, pillows, blankets, bedspreads and textile items of family members. If possible, it is worth drying upholstered furniture, as the fungus multiplies freely on wood.

All areas where mold has been noticed are treated with a solution of vinegar. After a while, you can apply a special antifungal antiseptic to the walls, which will help remove the musty, heavy smell.

How to kill mold in the bathroom, closet and basement

Mold and the smell of dampness do not always appear as a result of unforeseen circumstances and accidents. Most often, the problem lies in faulty ventilation and, as a result, in elevated level dampness.

Bathroom. In this room, the humidity is greatly increased, and if we add to this a non-working hood, then the fungus on the seams of the tiles is provided. There are many ways to remove the smell of dampness, but this will only be useful if ventilation system will function uninterrupted. Therefore, the first step is to bring it into working condition, and then fight mold with vinegar and antiseptics.

The door to the bathroom should be opened as often as possible and a high-quality towel dryer should be installed in it. It will work on the principle of a heater, and dry the air.

Cupboard. As soon as it became clear that it smells of dampness from the wardrobe, it is necessary to pull out all the things from it and take them out into the street. Shake each item and leave to dry on fresh air. Clothes can be aired for 2-3 days, but in this case it is necessary. If the fungus was also noticed on things, then they should be washed before drying, and when they dry, iron them with a hot iron.

You need to be very careful when pulling things out of the closet. You can’t shake them in the middle of the room, as fungal spores quickly scatter around the room and find new places to breed.

The cabinet should be treated with a solution of vinegar, but work with gloves and a respirator, since mold is very harmful to the body and is a powerful allergen. After all the manipulations, the doors should be left open so that air circulates in the cabinet, and the musty smell gradually disappears.

Basement. If the smell enters the house from the basement, then first you need to carefully examine the basement. It can be difficult to carry out such a procedure on your own and you have to resort to the help of specialists. After all, it may be necessary to replace pipes, repair the insulation of the ceiling and walls.

But if it smells damp, then overhaul still have to be done. Otherwise, the fungus will appear again and again, and the heavy smell of dampness in the house will become permanent.

Mold Prevention

When all the work was successful and the source of the problem was eliminated, then you can do preventive measures. This will save you a lot of trouble fighting mold later on. Necessary:

constantly ventilate all rooms in the house;
arrange containers with salt and activated charcoal around the house, periodically change them;
spark off aroma sticks and candles, spread out bags with a mixture of herbs;
do not dry clothes in the house, but in the city this is not so easy to do, so at least you should not dry it in the bathroom;
purchase an ozonator (a device for cleaning the air that disinfects it and eliminates unpleasant odors).

It is advisable to adhere to these recommendations, since it is very difficult to completely remove the mold and this is not always possible the first time. In addition, the fungus is a very harmful manifestation for human body. It can lead to the development bronchial asthma and cause allergic attacks. Therefore, it is worth taking all necessary measures to destroy it immediately.

The presence of constant dampness in a house or apartment can cause serious harm to health.

In such cases, it can be problematic to identify the causes of the disease: a person’s tests are not bad, and his health is deteriorating every day. It happens that it is quite difficult to fix the problem, for this it is necessary to identify the main causes of its occurrence.

Causes of damp smell

Many are interested in the question of where dampness comes from and, as a result, mold, how to deal with it. Some people believe that it is taken only because of dampness in the basement or a poorly built foundation.

But besides this, there are other reasons for its appearance, for example:

During the melting of snow or rainfall, flooding occurs from the roof.
There was flooding from the upstairs apartment.
There was a rupture of the heating or water supply pipe.
The ventilation system in the room does not work well (or does not work at all).
The waterproofing of the walls, especially the basement, is of poor quality.
Installed indoors plastic double-glazed windows and imported doors create complete tightness, especially on the first floors, mold and unpleasant damp smells will haunt the owners. Windows should be constantly exposed to micro-ventilation mode.

Infrequently, but there is dampness due to a strong passion for floriculture. The owners of some premises are engaged in growing plants and arrange real greenhouses, while forgetting to ventilate the apartment.

Quite often, it appears in bathrooms, where people take a shower, wash clothes and dry them.

In such cases, ventilation cannot cope with humidity and dampness and mold form. This can subsequently spread throughout the living space.

If the apartment is flooded, then the owners have to completely change household items, make major repairs. Some of them have to move to a new place of residence. Fortunately, this doesn't happen often.

How to get rid of the smell of dampness in the apartment?

The first thing to do is fix the source of the problem.

Experts advise doing the following first:

Produce complete replacement sewer and water pipes in the basement.
Repair the roof, clean the storm sewers.
Repair the seams passing from the outside of the building. The best option would be to cover them with foam, the room will not only be dry, but also warm.
Ventilate the house as often as possible.
Explore everything hidden places for the presence of mold. If it is found, then make every effort to get rid of this problem. You will need to process such places:

Bleach.
Ammonia.
Sodium bicarbonate.
Vinegar.
hydrogen peroxide.
Anti-mold.
Antifungal.

You can place automatic dispensers with various aromas indoors. Air bulbs are great help.
Usage folk methods help get rid of this problem. To do this, take 100 gr. salt and 30 tablets of activated charcoal, mix and place in an open container. This composition perfectly absorbs moisture and unpleasant odors. The tool must be changed once a week.
Helps to get rid of an ordinary lemon, in the peel of which clove sticks are stuck. This fruit will save you from persistent dampness for 2 months. You can replace it with a lemon or other citrus fruit.
After washing and processing the wardrobe, put salt and activated carbon into it. After the mixture has absorbed all unpleasant odors, you can install on long term various fragrances designed specifically for furniture, you can change them for bags of herbs, as a rule, lavender is used. It will get rid of the smell and will perfectly help with the occurrence of moths.

Stories from our readers!
"I found information about clog sticks and drain cleaning sticks on one of the forums. I ordered it. I'm delighted! They are suitable for all types of pipes, one piece is enough for a month or even more!

I got rid of the smell from the pipes, the water leaves very quickly. If your bathroom and sink are clogged drainpipes, and there is an unpleasant smell in the kitchen, then this tool will help.

What to do if things, upholstered furniture are saturated with the smell of dampness?

If the smell penetrates into upholstered furniture or things, it will take much longer to fix the problem. Furniture under the skin, as a rule, has foam rubber, and removing the smell from it is a difficult problem.

It dries for a long time and at the same time emits unpleasant odors:

Ideally, the furniture should be taken out into the open air, exposed to sun rays and the wind problem will go away on its own, because the furniture will dry well.
Fans and dehumidifiers can be used for drying.
If possible, replace the upholstery with a new one.
Great help green tea or ground coffee, which needs to be scattered over the fabric. The exposure time is at least 12 hours.

If the clothes smell pretty bad, then you first need to take them outside to dry. The cabinet must be washed and dried, left empty and open form for several days.

Small clothes need to be washed and ironed well, large outerwear should be taken out and placed under the sun.

Treat shoes with ammonia, vinegar essence. You can put salt in it, it will remove the smell. Change insoles and treat with deodorant.

How to get rid of the damp smell in the bathroom?

You can often hear complaints about a persistent unpleasant smell of dampness in the bathroom and mold, which, as a rule, is observed in the seams between the tiles. The main reason for this is the poor ventilation in the room.

This problem can be dealt with in a number of ways:

Invite an employee of a service organization who will inspect the ventilation duct and, if necessary, clean it. This may require some repair work.
Install a new hood.
Mount a fan that has great power.
Place a heated towel rail in the room.
Constantly ventilate the bath.
If necessary, change the old sewer pipes to new ones (today plastic pipes are being installed).
Stop drying laundry in this room after washing.
With success, chlorine-containing preparations can help in solving this problem. Chlorine perfectly eliminates mold, so with its addition they make great amount funds to process the seams.
can be very effective: it is used to clean surfaces for various purposes, including baths.

How to get rid of the smell of dampness in the closet?

? The first thing to do is free it from its content:

Take out all the things and dry them well. If the clothes are light, then this will take several hours, heavy winter and off-season clothes must be dried for several days. Drying clothes in the sun will give a wonderful effect.
The wardrobe must be rinsed well with water with the addition of vinegar or bleach.. After such a procedure, leave the closet open for several days, while not laying anything out of the clothes. The closet should stand empty, only this will give a positive effect.
If mold appears on clothes, you can take them to the dry cleaners. The rest of the things must be washed and ironed with a hot iron using damp gauze or a rag. The hot steam will destroy the mold spores, and the laundry will then have a pleasant smell.
Laundry is put back into the dried and processed cabinet only in dried form.

Dampness in the basement - a solution to the problem

If the cause is a damp basement, then a lot of work will need to be done to eliminate this cause:

Examine it for leaks in the pipes and, if necessary, make a complete replacement.
Pay great attention to the waterproofing of wall and ceiling surfaces.
A huge volume is sold at retail outlets, which assist in preventing moisture from entering the living space.

Very often, the owners of the premises turn to construction companies that will professionally eliminate this problem. If the repair work will be carried out on its own, then all recommendations must be taken into account, otherwise all the work will go down the drain and the plaster and putty used will not last long.

The smell of dampness in the house after the flood - what to do?

Often, after flooding from above, a damp smell spreads throughout the apartment.

If after such a nuisance it was necessary to carry out repair work, then the following steps must first be performed:

Dry the area thoroughly.
If present, remove mold.
Wall and ceiling surfaces treat with primer paint with an antibacterial effect.

There are cases when the flooding was small, but the humidity is still present.

In such cases, the following actions are taken:

The percentage of humidity is set, if necessary, a dehumidifier or heater is placed.
An odor absorber is used, which is produced in aerosols and sold in the economic departments.
A survey is carried out for the presence of mold under the wallpaper, linoleum or in other closed and secluded places.
Additional drying cushioned furniture, carpets, garments.

It is very convenient for those people who live in a private house. They can take out all the furniture and carpets to dry outside, while people in apartment buildings, use only balconies or loggias.

An excellent option would be wiping with a solution of vinegar, it will perfectly get rid of an unpleasant problem.

Upholstered furniture must be given careful attention, its structure is multi-layered and in any layer a fungus or a persistent unpleasant odor can start. If the situation so requires, you can carry out a deep cleaning using disinfectants and detergents.

Getting rid of the smell of dampness in the car

There are cases when a persistent smell of dampness, fish or tobacco is in the car, and it is impossible to get rid of it.

In such cases, you need to do the following:

Dry the interior well, leaving the car in the sun, while fully opening all doors and windows.
Treat with a liquid containing chlorine. At the same time, pay special attention hard-to-reach places, do not forget to process them too.
Apply for this purpose ElectroGen. It emits a dry mist that can penetrate deep into the fabric and neutralize unpleasant odors.
Replace damaged parts of the cabin with new ones. Carpet is changed frequently.
Place odor neutralizers in the cabin. They should be made on the basis of silica gels, which are able not only to absorb odors, but also to remove them.
If the smell comes from the air conditioner, clean it immediately and change the filter.

In practice, there are some tips that help not only get rid of an unpleasant odor, but prevent its occurrence.

So that mustiness and dampness do not cause discomfort, it is necessary to constantly ventilate the living space. Initially, this applies to bathrooms (must work exhaust system) and storerooms.
Purchase a powerful air conditioner that will maintain the required level of humidity and optimal temperature. It's fine suitable for those who live in huge cities and they do not have the opportunity to constantly ventilate the room, because emissions will penetrate into the apartment.
It is necessary to use moisture absorbers, coarse salt helps a lot in such situations. It must be placed in a container and installed on the windowsills.
Use essential oils, they destroy microorganisms and perfectly freshen the air. Fir, eucalyptus, tea tree help best of all.
To get rid of the mold itself, use bleach, vinegar or ammonia.

There are cases when a residential building is already quite old and the basement waterproofing is in poor condition. The best option in this case would be to purchase a dehumidifier.

It costs a lot, but it will be a great way to dry the room, get rid of the presence of mold and maintain health. Of course, the best option there will be a change of housing or the implementation of major repairs.

Prevention of dampness

In a residential area, it is necessary to maintain a comfortable microclimate and this must be monitored constantly:

Humidity in the apartment should be no more than 65% in summer, and 30% in winter. The most favorable percentage for normal human life can range from 40 to 60%.
The room must be constantly ventilated.
The ventilation system must function properly.
In the bathroom, inspect all pipes for leaks and, if any, repair the malfunctions.
Do not dry washed laundry in the bathroom or other rooms, this will lead to the formation of mold and mustiness.
Inspect the apartment for blowing or leaking seams. Repair if found.
On the heating appliances increase the number of sections. This will not only insulate the room, but also prevent the formation of condensation on surfaces.

The owners of the premises need to carry out all preventive methods so that mold and an unpleasant damp smell do not appear in the apartment. According to doctors, this will prevent the occurrence of allergic and chronic diseases. To do this, you need to constantly monitor the level of humidity.