How to get rid of old musty stinky smell in an old house?

Question

I am moving in a house that belonged to an old lady. It smells closed in, musty, and it really stinks. Any help would be nice

Answer 1

That smell is probably not just from being closed up, it's probably mold and mildew from previous leaks or floods. I just broke a lease with my landlord after living in a house with mildew for 6 months. My husband and I cleaned and painted with KILZ and regular paint over that, but it didn't stop the fact that there was mold and mildew throughout the house as well as under the house. If you are buying this home, I would suggest a thorough inspection of any crawl spaces, attics, and heating ventilation (they should be cleaned annually and you should also change any filters in the furnace every 3 months). If you are buying don't unless you can get a proper estimate of what walls, floors and other areas have problems that you will have to pay for or split with the seller. If you are leasing, I would document requests by certified mail that you are aware of these issues in the home and would like them remedied. The health concerns that mold and mildew can cause are very serious!
Unfortunately, we could not get our landlord to properly take care of the issues, which caused severe fatigue, my son had 4 upper respiratory infections, I had a double eye infection, we all had nasal irritations and so many more issues. I am thankful we were able to get out of our lease. When we moved a wall that the landlord had cleaned and covered with paneling was totally infested with mold. I would definetely say be EXTREMELY careful in this situation, document anything and everything. You might have to break your lease too if the problems are not taken care of. Check out this website for more info and Good Luck! http://www.health.state.ri.us/environment/risk/mold.php

Answer 2

This is what I did and it worked for me. First Febreeze all the carpets, curtains, closets, furniture,etc. Leave it for a couple of days. The next part you will need a really good vacuum. Buy 5 very large boxes of baking soda ( the denser the layer the better the effect) and sprinkle a layer over all the carpets, furniture, down the drains in the sinks and tubs, along the moldy window ledges,any where you think the odor is coming from, then allow to remain on these surfaces for 2 days minimum. You can walk on the carpets but not with wet shoes, sit on the furniture but buy a plastic drop cloth first. Don't use the sinks or tubs for several hours if possible. The baking soda will absorb order from the air as well as from the surfaces. In 2 days time vacuum all the baking soda up. If the place still doesn't smell fresher consult with a restoration company because they have great products for such problems. Good Luck!

Answer 3

That smell is mold, As much as possible wash surfaces that can handle it in a mild bleach solution or spray with Tilex, If the area is carpeted etc, you may have to pull up the carpet. Check the wood under the carpet, if the mold is there, you will have to bleach the wood before you lay a new carpet.

Answer 4

A really thorough cleaning is a must. Even if it looks clean, you need to wash down everything you can with a good cleaner.There are so many on the market and they all have nice clean aromas. Clean out closets, kitchen & bathroom cabinets.
If you are in a warm climate so that you can air it out that will do a
lot of good. Clean carpets too, they hold all kinds of odors.
Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

If you think you have mold or mildew in the walls, not just on surface areas, then you may want to hire an enviromental service company to come in and look behind the walls.

Be very careful, mold spores when disturbed can easily "dust up" and become airborn, where they may be inhaled. Wear a mask if you clean it yourself.

Answer 6

get the local undertakers to remove the body then open the windows

Answer 7

clean it real good and get incents or like sprays for the house