Proven Ways to Banish Musty Smell from Various Stored Items

You know how stored items often develop this musty smell after being left in storage for too long. It can happen to clothes, books, furniture, and even toys. The smell alone is rather unpleasant, yes, but it may indicate mould or mildew, which you definitely don’t want.

In this post, you’ll explore practical and effective methods of how to remove musty smell from stored items. You’re not here by accident and neither is the mould on your old clothes, so let’s get right to it.

Why do items smell musty after storing?

Moisture buildup and poor ventilation cause mould and mildew to grow. The fungi are what emit that musty stink.

The smell is bad enough, but things don’t stop there. Prolonged exposure, especially in closed spaces like closets or storage bins, can give you allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and even skin irritation. So, if you stumble upon musty-smelling items in your closet, take measures right away.

But before that, you need to identify where the smell is coming from. Is it the storage area itself that’s too humid, or were the items stored while still damp? You need to treat what needs to be treated to effectively eliminate the problem.

Will the musty smell eventually go away? The good news is that, yes, the musty smell can go away. But how quickly and easily depends on what you’re dealing with. Items like clothes may need a good wash with vinegar or baking soda to neutralise the smell, while other materials might need more specialised treatment.

How to assess and prepare for a cleaning

Look for black, white, or greenish spots. Then, separate the affected items from the rest and categorise them by type (clothes, furniture, etc.)

For the cleaning process, options like baking soda are often very effective. If you’re wondering whether baking soda can successfully absorb musty smell, then the answer is a definite yes! It absorbs both moisture and smells. Simply sprinkle it on fabrics or carpets, let it sit overnight, and vacuum it up the next day.

Another excellent option is white vinegar. It certainly can help remove musty smells, thanks to its powerful mould-killing and deodorising properties. You can apply it directly to the affected areas or add it to your laundry for a fresh result. You can also combine it with baking soda to get an even stronger homemade musty odour eliminator.

For more stubborn stains, hydrogen peroxide works by releasing oxygen to kill mould, while tea tree oil offers a natural, eco-friendly alternative with strong anti-fungal properties. If homemade solutions aren’t enough, consider using commercial mould cleaners that contain stronger chemicals like bleach or benzalkonium.

Effective ways to get rid of the musty smell from different items

Different items will require different approaches when you want to rid them of the nasty mould smell.

Clothes

How to get damp smell out of clothes is the thought on everybody’s mind. It can be a bit of a puzzle, though. Natural, synthetic, or delicate fabrics all react differently to water, heat, and cleaning agents. That’s why you can’t be random with the cleaning method of your choice.

Also, testing on a small, hidden area of the fabric is always a good practice. Natural cleaners like vinegar or baking soda can sometimes cause discolouration, especially on delicate fabrics. With that said…

Best cleaning agents and techniques for each fabric:

Air drying outdoors is ideal for most fabrics because sunlight is a natural antibacterial agent, and fresh air helps dissipate lingering odours. Afterwards, always store your clothes with silica gel packets or activated charcoal bags. These absorb moisture and help prevent musty smells from returning.

Books and papers

Books and papers can easily absorb musty odours, especially in damp environments. But it’s not hopeless; here’s how to get rid of musty smell in paper.

For vintage or fragile books, stick to gentle methods like air drying or sprinkling baking soda to absorb odours, and avoid liquids like vinegar. When dealing with leather-bound or glossy paper, be cautious with moisture; a damp cloth with leather cleaner works best for leather, while air drying or using charcoal is best for glossy pages.

For important documents, handle them with care, relying on baking soda or air drying to eliminate musty smells without causing discolouration or deterioration.

Furniture and upholstery

Here’s how to remove musty smell from stored furniture, regardless if it’s wooden, plastic, metal, and upholstered.

1. Air it out – For all furniture types, start by moving the furniture to a well-ventilated area. Outdoors is the best option. Airing out the furniture helps release trapped moisture and odours. For wooden furniture, avoid placing it in direct sunlight to prevent warping or fading.
2. Wipe it down:
   • Wooden furniture – Wipe down surfaces with a vinegar and water mixture to remove mould, mildew and other grime. Test it first on a hidden area. Dry the wood thoroughly with a soft cloth;
   • Plastic and metal furniture – Both are more resistant to moisture. Use the vinegar and water solution or a mild detergent. These can help remove mould, as well as rust on metal furniture. Dry the metal completely to prevent rust.
3. Use baking soda – For fabric or upholstered areas, sprinkle baking soda generously over the surfaces and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Afterwards, vacuum the area thoroughly. This method is safe for most upholstered surfaces, but always test on a small area first to avoid potential discolouration. Learn more by going to our post on how to remove mould from your fabric furniture pieces;
4. Activated charcoal or silica gel – Place activated charcoal or silica gel packets near or inside the furniture (such as inside drawers or under cushions) to absorb lingering moisture and prevent musty smells from returning. These are particularly helpful for wooden furniture, as they prevent moisture from being reabsorbed;
5. Use a fabric refresher spray – For upholstered furniture, apply a fabric refresher spray designed to neutralise odours. This can be used after cleaning with baking soda for an extra layer of freshness.

Storage units will not have a problem with mould if they are climate-controlled. Still, you should check our post on how to store your furniture in a storage unit, just in case.

Other items

And a few words for other items which don’t go into this category. For soft toys and teddy bears, sprinkle baking soda over the fabric, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum to absorb moisture and odours. Alternatively, place the toys in a sealed bag with activated charcoal or silica gel packets for a deeper deodorising effect.

Wipe tools with vinegar and water to remove rust and smells. Dry and store with silica gel packs. Wipe the surface of appliances with a vinegar-damp cloth. Air them in a well-ventilated space with activated charcoal.

Once again, always test a small area first, especially on delicate or valuable items, to avoid damage. These simple DIY techniques are great for getting rid of musty smells without washing.

Are there ways to avoid dealing with the musty odour again?

Yes! To stop clothes from smelling musty in storage and prevent musty odours in other stored items, follow these tips: