How to Get Rid of a Damp Smell

A wet odor in your house is worse than a bad smell—it’s usually an indication that there is too much moisture hiding somewhere inside your home.

This mildew or mould smell usually attaches to walls, carpets, clothes, and even furniture.

If left unattended, it can destroy property and even make you sick, especially if you have allergies or respiratory problems.

Whether it’s a lingering odor in the bathroom, a musty smell in the basement, or damp air in your closet, this guide will take you through how to detect, remove, and prevent damp odors step by step.

Steps Include:

• Find the source of the smell
• Dry out the area
• Clean mold and mildew
• Neutralise lingering odours
• Improve long-term airflow
• Take preventative steps
• Seek help if needed

How to Get Rid of a Damp Smell

1. Detect the Source of the Smell

First, you need to find where it’s coming from before you can remove the smell.

• Inspect areas that are commonly subject to dampness:
  • Behind washing machines, dishwashers, or fridges.
  • Under sinks and around pipework.
  • Within wardrobes, cabinets, or vacant rooms.
  • In attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
• Seek out physical evidence of damp:
  • Discolouration or dark marks on walls and ceilings.
  • Peeling paint or bubbling wallcoverings.
  • Condensation on walls or windows.
  • Mould patches (usually black, green, or grey).
• Use your sense of smell:
  • Walk around the house and sniff in the areas of floors, corners, upholstery, or soft furnishings to identify where the musty odour is most pronounced.

Example: A recurring damp odor in a corridor might be attributed to a dripping radiator valve behind a cupboard that’s obstructing ventilation.

👉 Related Blog: How to Eliminate Damp Carpet Odour

2. Dry Out the Affected Area

After you’ve discovered where the dampness is, your second priority is to get rid of excess moisture.

• Ventilate:
  • Open windows and doors every day to allow fresh air to circulate.
  • Keep interior doors open to minimize humidity build-up.
• Use a dehumidifier:
  • Dehumidifiers work well for lowering airborne moisture.
  • Suitable for bathrooms, basements, or rooms with poor ventilation.
  • Set indoor humidity levels to 40% to 60%.
• Dry wet objects as soon as possible:
  • Hang wet clothes outside or in a well-ventilated area.
  • Dry wet carpets using a fan or heater.
  • If the furniture or rugs are wet, hire professionals to dry.
• Absorb moisture naturally:
  • Use bowls of baking soda, salt, or calcium chloride crystals where needed.
  • Use silica gel packs in cupboards or drawers.

3. Thoroughly Clean Mould and Mildew

After controlling the moisture, clean all the areas where mold or mildew growth has been observed.

• Hard surfaces (tiles, plastic, metal):
  • Use the 1 part bleach to 4 parts water solution.
  • Spray or wipe down the affected areas. Let stand for 15 minutes, then rinse.
  • Always use gloves and ventilate the area well.
• Walls and ceilings:
  • Where mold occurs on painted plaster, clean with anti-mold spray or white vinegar.
  • Where mold recurs, repaint using anti-mold paint.
• Fabrics and soft furnishings:
  • Wash cushion covers, curtains, and washing at 60°C or using mold-killing washing additive.
  • Steam clean upholstery or mattresses if not washable.
• Carpets and rugs:
  • Sprinkle baking soda and leave overnight before vacuuming.
  • Use carpet cleaner with mildew-removal solution if needed.

Tip: Do not paint or paper over mold—it will keep growing beneath and exacerbate the issue.

👉 Related Blog: How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles in the UK

4. Eliminate the Odour

Even with cleaning, a musty smell can persist. Employ natural deodorisers to get your area smelling fresh again.

• Baking soda:
  • Works as a natural odour absorber. Put bowls in closets, alongside furniture, or in drawers.
• White vinegar:
  • Spray on the affected areas (furniture-safe version: 1 part vinegar, 3 parts water).
  • Leave in open containers in rooms to neutralise smells.
• Activated charcoal:
  • Absorbs odours without masking them. Ideal for wardrobes, cupboards, or pet areas.
• Essential oils:
  • Put drops of tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus oil on cotton balls and stuff them into corners or drawers.

Good to Know: Air fresheners and scented sprays only mask odours temporarily. Always address the cause first.

👉 Must read: What Does Woodworm Look Like?

5. Improve Airflow and Ventilation

Effective ventilation is the ultimate long-term protection against damp odors.

• Install extractor fans:
  • None more so in bathrooms, kitchens, and utility areas.
• Use trickle vents:
  • The majority of new windows have these fitted. Leave them open.
• Leave furniture slightly away from walls:
  • Avoids air being trapped and minimizes condensation.
• Open windows from time to time:
  • Particularly after cooking, showering, or drying clothes indoors.
• Add air bricks or passive vents in older homes.

Energy Saving Trust – How to Reduce Condensation

6. Prevent Future Damp and Musty Smells

Stopping the smell from returning requires preventative action.

• Dry laundry outdoors or use a vented tumble dryer.
• Repair leaks immediately, whether from the roof, pipes, or appliances.
• Clean gutters and drains to prevent water from seeping into walls.
• Check for rising damp at skirting board level.
• Seal external cracks and gaps in bricks or window frames.

Tip: Monitor concealed damp behind walls and floors using a moisture meter.

👉 Must read: Paint for Damp Walls in the UK | Damp Paints for Interior Walls

7. Know When to Call an Expert

If you’ve cleaned and ventilated, but the smell lingers, you might need to call in an expert damp specialist.

Call an expert if:

• Mold keeps re-growing.
• You suspect structural damp (e.g. rising damp, penetrating damp).
• You’re suffering from health symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or skin irritation indoors.

How to Get Rid of a Damp Smell: Final Thoght

You don’t have to put up forever with a damp smell in your home.

Once you’ve located the source, removed moisture, cleaned thoroughly, and enhanced ventilation, you can look forward to a fresher, healthier living environment.

Prevention is as vital as treatment—get your home dry and well-ventilated to prevent the problem from recurring.