[USER]

Ugh, this summer heat is brutal—and it’s making our old farmhouse (100+ years) smell musty and unpleasant. I keep the house as clean as I can, but when the temperatures rise, that old damp smell seems to come back stronger.

It’s honestly a little embarrassing, especially when guests visit.

We don’t have a huge budget to throw at the problem, so I’m looking for **low-cost, practical ideas** that have worked for others in similar situations.

Maybe natural deodorizers, ventilation tricks, or cleaning hacks for old wood, walls, or floors?

Any advice from those who’ve dealt with this in older homes would be really appreciated.

I just want the house to smell fresh and welcoming again without spending a fortune.

Thanks in advance!

[Bea]

What area of the country are you in to have both heat & dampness (not humidity like in the south)?

[Ginger]

Get those charcoal bags an put that around in your house. Get them at Lowe’s or home Depot.

[Diana]

I use damprid in my closets and bath. Plus, I bought an air purifier which really helps.

[Sette]

Charcoal is amazing. Eliminates moisture and absorbs odors. I’d also open as many windows as possible to let in a draft.

May have to do this early morning and night.

Then close and block once the heat/sun kicks in.

[Beth]

Monitoring your humidity in your house helps your skin , your furniture everything.

With the humidity and dew point being si high it affects everything.

Air conditioning helps too.

[Crystal]

Sorry, I don’t have any helpful tips. I just wanted to say for those folks that say it ain’t THAT hot, well, I saw a bird blow on a worm before he ate him!

[Lori]

I lived in an old house in Louisiana and I had damp rid hiding everywhere, it gets rid of the musty smell.

[Dana]

Open bottles of white vinegar around the house to absorb the damp smell. I lived in a house with a very damp basement growing up.

My parents tried everything!

The only thing that worked was a dehumidifier and open bottles of white vinegar throughout the space (in corners).

[Sheila]

I put out cheap coffee in bowls in the basement since air fresheners bother me. We just got our basement redone.

Tornado damaged a few yrs. back so hoping it smells better now.

[Brian]

A dehumidifier. Helps your AC work less also. I use my in my basement during the summer.

[Kristel]

Omg I am living this dream in my 1907 house. I went on a trip and the house was quite noticeable when the house was closed up for a week and a half It smells like wet dog combined with old dust lol
I am actually going to pay someone to remove all of the carpeting (one room and the stairs), will clean thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner and will be cleaning the area rugs for the spaces that dont have carpeting as well as the couch and recliner.

I also have a dehumidifier running in the basement and a hepa filter on each floor of the house.

I have to believe it is the soft surfaces holding smells and that the wood underneath also needs a good… carpet free… cleaning. I sure hope I’m right!

[Sandy]

We now have a couple dehumidifiers in the basement, that’s helped immeasurably in our 50+ year old home.

[Cheri]

You need to use dehumidifier!! You will be amazed of the difference it makes. Obviously, it cost money up front but it will be worth it.

We use GE brand

[Beth]

A hygrometer from home depot, lowes or a hardware store. They r about 12 dollars. It’s to check your humidity.

You may need a dehumidifier.

[Melanie]

I had a horrific smell from a dead mouse in the wall. After researching I tried ground coffee (fresh, not used grounds) in open containers.

They absorbed the bad smell.

[Janine]

I use scentorini sachets for drawers around our 1942 cottage. When entering the cottage and rooms it’s strong but welcomed.

After being in the cottage for awhile I get accustomed to them but I know it’s working.

[Abigail]

I get essential oil in different scents and place X amount of drops in a spray bottle. I go to town spraying my whole house.

It works, but I’m also constantly airing out the house and cleaning lol
My house was built in the 1950s.

[Brenda]

Stash shallow pans of cheap charcoal briquettes around the house it helps absorb odors.

Also use carpet powder for pets it works really well to remove odors.

[Lisa]

I’m originally from St. Clair Shores and lived a block from the lake so I get the smell. Now I live in Houston and talk about humidity!!!

I spray Borax around and open places I can get to, especially the attached garage.

It will cut the mold and mildew.

I used this when our house flooded a few years ago.

[Anne]

Fasten cotton puffs with drops of essential oils onto a fan and blow it into the smelly area.

Tea tree oil, peppermint, lavender, cedar, lemon, frankincense… whatever appeals to you.

[Author]

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