INFORMATION ARTICLE
How to Get Rid of Household Odours
August 25, 2026
Battling persistent, unpleasant household odors can be frustrating – especially when they linger even after cleaning. However, with the right cleaning equipment, like vacuum and wet cleaners or air purifiers, you can make your home a fresh, pleasant, and more liveable space again.
If you’re dealing with common irritants in your home – such as mould, mildew, stale air, or pet particle – read on to find out how to get rid of household odours and create a relaxing living environment.
What causes musty smells?
Musty odours in your home are often caused by too much moisture and limited airflow. This combination typically leads to the growth of mould, mildew, and stagnant air, and is especially common in high-humidity rooms like your kitchen or bathroom.
Pet odours, on the other hand, are different and can vary depending on the type of pet you have, its training, and your lifestyle. Pets can bring odd smells into your home, as well as create them. For pet-related cleaning, consider using a pet hair vacuum or a Dyson wet floor cleaner.
Identifying the underlying cause of musty smells is the key to removing them. Explore what causes household odours below.
Mould
As one of the primary causes of household odours, mould grows in damp, moisture-rich areas. It often emits a musty, earthy scent, which can negatively impact air quality and potentially pose health risks.
To improve your air health, air purifiers can help with mould, filtering out spores and minimising humidity indoors.
Mildew
Mildew is a form of fungus that thrives in warm, damp areas like showers, laundry rooms, and windowsills. It produces a stale smell and can spread through the air and onto other surfaces. Taking steps to purify your air can help get rid of household odours caused by mildew.
Stagnant air
In areas with poor ventilation, air can become stagnant, leading to the gradual buildup of a musty odour. When a room feels stuffy or dense, it’s a clear sign that the space is partially filled by still air.
Pets
Pets can be the source of various smells in your home. Odours may arise from their fur, skin, bedding, or litter boxes, and pets that go outdoors can bring external smells like dirt, grass, or decaying waste over your home’s threshold.
To get rid of dog or cat odours in your house, regular grooming and using a pet hair vacuum will greatly reduce any unpleasant smell on your pets, or in areas where they commonly rest.
Musty odours in your home are often caused by too much moisture and limited airflow. This combination typically leads to the growth of mould, mildew, and stagnant air, and is especially common in high-humidity rooms like your kitchen or bathroom.
Pet odours, on the other hand, are different and can vary depending on the type of pet you have, its training, and your lifestyle. Pets can bring odd smells into your home, as well as create them. For pet-related cleaning, consider using a pet hair vacuum or a Dyson wet floor cleaner.
Identifying the underlying cause of musty smells is the key to removing them. Explore what causes household odours below.
Mould
As one of the primary causes of household odours, mould grows in damp, moisture-rich areas. It often emits a musty, earthy scent, which can negatively impact air quality and potentially pose health risks.
To improve your air health, air purifiers can help with mould, filtering out spores and minimising humidity indoors.
Mildew
Mildew is a form of fungus that thrives in warm, damp areas like showers, laundry rooms, and windowsills. It produces a stale smell and can spread through the air and onto other surfaces. Taking steps to purify your air can help get rid of household odours caused by mildew.
Stagnant air
In areas with poor ventilation, air can become stagnant, leading to the gradual buildup of a musty odour. When a room feels stuffy or dense, it’s a clear sign that the space is partially filled by still air.
Pets
Pets can be the source of various smells in your home. Odours may arise from their fur, skin, bedding, or litter boxes, and pets that go outdoors can bring external smells like dirt, grass, or decaying waste over your home’s threshold.
To get rid of dog or cat odours in your house, regular grooming and using a pet hair vacuum will greatly reduce any unpleasant smell on your pets, or in areas where they commonly rest.
How to remove odours from your house in 9 steps
By using the right methods, you can easily get rid of household odours.
Whether it’s issues with airflow or moisture build up, or with understanding the right strategies, cleaning tools and expert air science knowledge to remove smells from your home, read on. Below, we’ve curated our top 9 practical solutions for removing musty smells from your house.
1. Ventilate your home
Improving airflow is one of the most straightforward ways to reduce household odours. You can open windows for a brief time, use air purifiers and fans, and even install air vents to enhance air circulation throughout your home.
2. Purify your air
Air purifiers are effective devices that get rid of household odours while improving your home’s air quality. Machines like our Dyson Purifier Cool™ Gen1 purifying fan are equipped with a HEPA filter that captures and removes mould and mildew spores, in addition to bacteria and other contaminants.
For optimal performance, position your air purifier in areas with persistent odours or high levels of humidity.
3. Use a pet hair vacuum
Pet hair tends to collect on multiple surfaces in your home, contributing to unpleasant smells and allergens. Pet hair vacuums are engineered to effectively remove fur from carpets, furniture, and narrow spaces. If you're wondering how to get rid of cat odours in your house, a pet hair vacuum is a fantastic way to eliminate smells caused by fur and keep your home clean.
These vacuums are also useful when navigating how to clean your car interior, where they can easily lift fur from seats and floor mats.
4. Vacuum carpet, furniture and rugs
Frequent vacuuming is an effective way to maintain a clean and odour-free home. Lifting dirt, dust, and small food remnants from carpets, furniture and rugs helps to eliminate unpleasant smells quickly.
To elevate the effectiveness of your cleaning, intelligent Dyson stick vacuums, like the Dyson Gen5detect™ Complete vacuum, are designed for extreme manoeuvrability and power. With 280 air watts of suction power and whole-system filtration, any odours captured by the vacuum remain contained, and the hygienic ejection mechanism keeps disposal simple.
5. Mop hard floors
Musty household odours can easily cling to hard floors, and, when there's no stains or spills to remove, mopping is a thorough way to get to clear up less visible sources of smells. To eliminate stains – and their accompanying smells – a natural cleaning solution with warm water is the traditional solution.
For a more efficient option, though, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner is an excellent choice. The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine™ vacuum is capable of picking up both wet and dry debris from carpets and hard floors. Better still, for easy cleaning of hard-to-reach areas – such as kitchen and upholstery corners – it quickly converts it into a handheld cleaner.
6. Wipe away mildew and mould
Better airflow in damp spaces can help stop mould and mildew from forming. To get rid of household odours and prevent further spread, you’ll need to wipe away any mould that’s already appeared.
For mould removal, apply either a specialised mould cleaner or a homemade white vinegar and water solution to the affected areas, before wiping it off with a microfibre cloth. For hard or more stubborn surfaces (like bathroom tiles), using a scrubbing brush can help.
7. Clean indoor bins
Kitchen rubbish or recycling bins are some of the most common sources of household odours. Decomposing food, bacteria, and stagnant water can all contribute to unpleasant smells – and even after taking out the trash, lingering debris inside the bin can continue to produce unpleasant odours.
To clean your bins, take them out of their storage area and apply a mix of mild detergent and water (or a solution of vinegar and baking soda) to neutralise odours. Scrub them thoroughly with a hard brush if required.
For smaller bins, cleaning them in a bathroom basin is recommended. For larger bins, we’d suggest moving them outdoors and using a hose to wash them down.
8. Pick up clothes and towels
Towels or clothes left on the floor, in the washroom, or in your laundry basket can often harbour soap residue, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. As this bacteria breaks down, it can create a musty or stale odour.
When learning how to get rid of musty smells in your home, we suggest hanging your towels in a well-ventilated area between uses to allow them to dry properly. Be sure to wash your towels after every third use to keep them fresh.
9. Descale your washing machine
Mineral buildup from water can accumulate inside your washing machine, leaving an unpleasant smell in the surrounding room – in addition to affecting how well your washing machine does its job.
To descale your washing machine, pour a cup of white vinegar into the dispenser drawer and run a hot water cycle with the machine empty. Some machines will alert you when descaling is needed, but it’s best to do this every two to three months.
By using the right methods, you can easily get rid of household odours.
Whether it’s issues with airflow or moisture build up, or with understanding the right strategies, cleaning tools and expert air science knowledge to remove smells from your home, read on. Below, we’ve curated our top 9 practical solutions for removing musty smells from your house.
1. Ventilate your home
Improving airflow is one of the most straightforward ways to reduce household odours. You can open windows for a brief time, use air purifiers and fans, and even install air vents to enhance air circulation throughout your home.
2. Purify your air
Air purifiers are effective devices that get rid of household odours while improving your home’s air quality. Machines like our Dyson Purifier Cool™ Gen1 purifying fan are equipped with a HEPA filter that captures and removes mould and mildew spores, in addition to bacteria and other contaminants.
For optimal performance, position your air purifier in areas with persistent odours or high levels of humidity.
3. Use a pet hair vacuum
Pet hair tends to collect on multiple surfaces in your home, contributing to unpleasant smells and allergens. Pet hair vacuums are engineered to effectively remove fur from carpets, furniture, and narrow spaces. If you're wondering how to get rid of cat odours in your house, a pet hair vacuum is a fantastic way to eliminate smells caused by fur and keep your home clean.
These vacuums are also useful when navigating how to clean your car interior, where they can easily lift fur from seats and floor mats.
4. Vacuum carpet, furniture and rugs
Frequent vacuuming is an effective way to maintain a clean and odour-free home. Lifting dirt, dust, and small food remnants from carpets, furniture and rugs helps to eliminate unpleasant smells quickly.
To elevate the effectiveness of your cleaning, intelligent Dyson stick vacuums, like the Dyson Gen5detect™ Complete vacuum, are designed for extreme manoeuvrability and power. With 280 air watts of suction power and whole-system filtration, any odours captured by the vacuum remain contained, and the hygienic ejection mechanism keeps disposal simple.
5. Mop hard floors
Musty household odours can easily cling to hard floors, and, when there's no stains or spills to remove, mopping is a thorough way to get to clear up less visible sources of smells. To eliminate stains – and their accompanying smells – a natural cleaning solution with warm water is the traditional solution.
For a more efficient option, though, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner is an excellent choice. The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine™ vacuum is capable of picking up both wet and dry debris from carpets and hard floors. Better still, for easy cleaning of hard-to-reach areas – such as kitchen and upholstery corners – it quickly converts it into a handheld cleaner.
6. Wipe away mildew and mould
Better airflow in damp spaces can help stop mould and mildew from forming. To get rid of household odours and prevent further spread, you’ll need to wipe away any mould that’s already appeared.
For mould removal, apply either a specialised mould cleaner or a homemade white vinegar and water solution to the affected areas, before wiping it off with a microfibre cloth. For hard or more stubborn surfaces (like bathroom tiles), using a scrubbing brush can help.
7. Clean indoor bins
Kitchen rubbish or recycling bins are some of the most common sources of household odours. Decomposing food, bacteria, and stagnant water can all contribute to unpleasant smells – and even after taking out the trash, lingering debris inside the bin can continue to produce unpleasant odours.
To clean your bins, take them out of their storage area and apply a mix of mild detergent and water (or a solution of vinegar and baking soda) to neutralise odours. Scrub them thoroughly with a hard brush if required.
For smaller bins, cleaning them in a bathroom basin is recommended. For larger bins, we’d suggest moving them outdoors and using a hose to wash them down.
8. Pick up clothes and towels
Towels or clothes left on the floor, in the washroom, or in your laundry basket can often harbour soap residue, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. As this bacteria breaks down, it can create a musty or stale odour.
When learning how to get rid of musty smells in your home, we suggest hanging your towels in a well-ventilated area between uses to allow them to dry properly. Be sure to wash your towels after every third use to keep them fresh.
9. Descale your washing machine
Mineral buildup from water can accumulate inside your washing machine, leaving an unpleasant smell in the surrounding room – in addition to affecting how well your washing machine does its job.
To descale your washing machine, pour a cup of white vinegar into the dispenser drawer and run a hot water cycle with the machine empty. Some machines will alert you when descaling is needed, but it’s best to do this every two to three months.
Having learnt how to get rid of household odours, you now have several practical strategies to achieve a cleaner, more pleasant living environment. To get the most out of your efforts, next explore how to clean your carpet.