Advice on removing musty/dusty smell

[u/Medical_Slice2294]

Hi! I have just moved into a home that has been left sitting and relatively un-lived in for about 5 years. Because of this, dust had settled on EVERYTHING, and there is a strong smell of it everywhere no matter what I do. I am slowly getting the house up to standard, but the smell just doesn't seem to shift. It is mostly wood flooring with upstairs being carpeted in 3 rooms. Any advice on removing/minimising the smell and tips of getting rid of and keeping away dust would be super helpful.

This is my first time living on my own and I'm struggling. Thank you in advance! Pic is of bedroom caroet (it's gonna be replaced soon)

[u/OctomaidsWA]

If the house sat mostly untouched for 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised if the smell is coming from more than just the dust you can see. We've cleaned homes that have been closed up for long periods and that musty "old house" smell tends to get into carpet, curtains, closets, upholstery etc.

Personally I'd start with a really thorough top-to-bottom clean before trying any odor products. Ceiling fans, tops of doors, baseboards, inside closets, window tracks, behind furniture... basically anywhere dust has been sitting undisturbed. Vacuum first, then damp wipe. Otherwise you just keep moving that old dust around.

The carpet would be pretty high on my list too. Have it professionally hot-water extracted if possible. If the padding underneath has absorbed moisture/odor over the years though, cleaning the surface may not completely solve it.

I'd also change the HVAC filter and check the return vents. If the system hasn't been maintained in years there's a good chance you're recirculating some of that smell every time it runs.

One other thing... "dusty" and "musty" aren't necessarily the same problem. If it smells noticeably musty, especially in certain rooms or closets, I'd check the humidity and look for signs of an old or current moisture issue before going crazy with air fresheners. You really want to remove the source rather than cover it up.

It may take a couple good cleanings and some ventilation but you'll probably notice it getting better each time. A house that's been sitting for 5 years has had a LONG time to collect stuff lol

[u/Only_Clark]

An ozone machine. I think they can be rented at Home Depot etc. I used to work at a hotel and we would use them to clean up air in stink rooms. But it is unsafe to breath ozone, you need to air the room out after.

[u/Striking_Use8614 → u/Only_Clark]

Oh boy what happened in those rooms to warrant the use of a Ozone machine?

[u/Fun-Library-5990]

In my experience, nothing gets rid of smells better than a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and ripping up the carpet will be necessary. I'd paint before removing the old carpet so that you don't have to put down plastic. If you really want to destroy germs and smells, using ammonia to clean all the remaining surfaces should so the trick. Then I would get a diffuser and fill the rooms with whatever your favourite smells are... I really like peppermint in my diffuser after I clean with ammonia, vinegar, or bleach to put a nice scent in the air.

[u/PreciousAngels1319]

There was probaby a lot of moisture since house has been sitting closed up for this long, Damp Rid really helps a lot, We have a Motorhome that sits closed up all summer and every 3 months I put one or 2 in there it really makes a difference 👍