How to Remove Damp Smells from your House

A house with rising damp can be unpleasant to live in as well as causing sickness to the occupants. Several things cause damp smell in houses, but mildews are the most common reason. The trick is to know how to remove damp smells. The mixture of darkness, moisture, and lack of air circulation in the house leads to the growth of moulds and mildews. They release foul gasses that attach themselves in the furniture as well as fabrics all around, this is why we, at London Damp Specialists, have put together this guide on how to remove damp smells.

Discovering a Damp Smell in House Areas

Is damp smell in your house making your life unbearable? Below are some ways on how to remove damp smell:

Tip #1:

You first locate where the damp smell is coming from. Once you have located the source, try to remove it if it is possible. It can be a piece of fabric that has fallen on the floorboards which contains moulds. Clean the affected area with clean water and bleach. Don’t forget to open all the windows, cupboards and closets to let in cool fresh air. At times, all it takes to remove the musty smell is a clean circulation of air.

Tip #2:

Lemon is a natural remedy that gives fresh air. You can boil the peels of lemon and use the lemon water to give the lemony fragrance around the house by placing the water where the musty smell is located. You can use a fan to circulate the air or even use a sprayer to spray the lemon solution around the house.

Tip #3:

Placing a plate or a box filled with baking powder in the places affected helps to absorb the foul smell of moulds. Place the box for 24 hours. This process should be repeated after several months. Cat litter can also be used to remove the bad smell: place the cat litter where you store old clothes and furniture, or in the attic, and let it stay there for at least two weeks before replacing it again.

Tip #4:

If the damp smell is coming from fabric, try using diluted white vinegar to wash it or soak the fabric using baking powder. 1 cup of either baking powder or white vinegar is enough to wash a normal load of damp clothes. If a fabric is bleachable then you can use any type of bleach to remove the musty smell. White vinegar, bleach, and baking soda can also be used to clean foul smell in refrigerators, ovens and other appliances that contain mildews; it can also be used to clean shoes and carpets.

Tip #5:

If the smell is coming from the walls try using a washcloth and mix the water with the baking powder to scrub off the moulds will help to absorb the bad smell. Prevent the growth of moulds by replacing all broken leakages. Clean the floor thoroughly with a damp cloth and a bleach to make sure all the dust and humidity is gone this will ensure there won’t be any growth of moulds and mildews,

Conclusion

With the above steps, you have an idea on how to remove any damp smell in your house once it starts, just remember to keep your house well ventilated, and clean all year round to avoid a lot of work.

Damp Survey Costs

Transparent pricing with no hidden fees for our independent, unbiased surveys.

Level 1

Level 1

£199 + VAT

What’s included:

  • Inspection of walls
  • Inspection of floors
  • Inspection of ceilings
  • Leak inspection of drains and plumbing
  • Damp information and prevention guide
Level 2

Level 2

£299 + VAT

What’s included:

  • Everything in Level 1
  • Dry rot inspection
  • Wet rot inspection
  • Woodworm inspection
  • Damp information and prevention guide

 Survey Add Ons

Add On 1

£299 + VAT
Lab Analysis Of Plaster

Laboratory analysis Of plaster identifies hygroscopic salts such as chlorides and nitrates. which indicate whether damp is caused by rising groundwater or by plumbing leaks, This testing removes guesswork, allowing the exact source of moisture to be identified so the correct treatment is applied rather than carrying out unnecessary damp-proofing work.

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Add On 2

£299 + VAT
Mould Lab Swab Testing, qPCR on DNA

qPCR DNA mould testing detects microscopic mould spores that are invisible during a normal inspection and van remain hidden behind walls, floors. or inside building rkaterials. It identifies the exact mould species present and the contamination level, allowing hidden mould problems to be confirrned and properly treated before they affect the property or occupants’ health.

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Qualifications: All our surveyors are PCA and CSRT qualified for remedial treatments and also CSSW qualified for structural waterproofing.
Next day report: You will receive the report within 24 hours of the inspection taking place.

The survey fee will be deducted from the cost of any recommended repairs.

These are the tools we use

A damp meter

A damp meter

A damp meter is a diagnostic tool used to detect and measure moisture levels within building materials such as plaster, brick, timber, and concrete.

Borescope camera

Borescope camera

borescope camera is a small inspection camera attached to a flexible semi-rigid cable that allows you to see inside areas that are otherwise inaccessible.

Inspection Drone

Inspection Drone

A drone is a remotely operated aerial device equipped with a camera that allows visual inspection from above without the need for scaffolding or ladder.

Air Humidity Sensor

Air Humidity Sensor

Air humidity sensor measures the amount of moisture present in the air, expressed as relative humidity (RH) in percentage. It helps determine whether indoor conditions are contributing to condensation, mould growth, or damp-related issues.

Thermal Imaging Camera

Thermal Imaging Camera

A thermal imaging camera detects temperature differences on surfaces by using infrared technology to produce a heat map image. In damp investigations, it helps identify cold spots, moisture intrusion, insulation defects, thermal bridging and leaks.

Air Flow Ventilation Detector

Air Flow Ventilation Detector

An air flow ventilation detector measures the movement and volume of air passing through vents, extractor fans, and air bricks. It confirms whether ventilation systems are working properly and achieving adequate air changes within a room. Poor airflow leads to trapped moisture, high humidity, condensation on cold surfaces, and ultimately mould growth.

Mould Swab Test Kit

Mould Swab Test Kit

A mould swab test is carried out to confirm the presence of hidden mould growth and identify the specific species involved. Surface mould is not always visible, especially behind furniture, inside cavities, or within ventilation systems. Laboratory analysis of a swab sample determines whether active mould spores are present and what type they are, which helps assess potential health risks and decide the correct remediation approach rather than relying on visual assumption alone.

Plaster Salt Analysis Lab

Plaster Salt Analysis Lab

Laboratory analysis of plaster is used to identify the type of salts present within the material, typically chlorides and nitrates. The presence and concentration of these salts help determine whether the moisture source is consistent with rising damp, ground contamination, or another forms [sic] of water ingress. such as mains water leak, This removes guesswork and prevents misdiagnosis, ensuring the correct remedial treatment is specified rather than applying unnecessary or ineffective solutions.

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Contact Us

If you have some questions, please complete this form:

Book and Pay for a survey

If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form:

Contact Us

If you have some questions, please complete this form:

Book and Pay for a survey

If you are ready to book a survey and pay, please complete this form: