4 Reasons You Should Get Rid Of Old House Smell

Have you just inherited or purchased an old house? If so, then congratulations! You finally have a place to call your own. Surely, owning an old house demands a lot of responsibilities and challenges, but it’s absolutely worth all the hard work.

Old houses possess a unique charm and beauty you won’t be able to see in most modern-day houses. But there’s one thing you should be worried about. It’s their smell—that weird, vintage, and dusty smell of old houses.

Some people might want to preserve the smell of old houses as it lets them take a trip down memory lane. Of course, many are not fond of it, especially those who want to transform old houses into modern homes. If you’re one of them, browse this site to find out how to eliminate the unwanted smell around your house.

But whether you like the smell of your old house or not, it’d be best to remove it as soon as possible. But why? Here are the following reasons you should get rid of the old house smell:

• Presence Of Mold

The smell of your old house is most probably due to mold, which produces a mildewy, musty odor. If mold is present at home, it would naturally circulate around the area, but only at low concentrations. However, it becomes an issue if the mold grows uncontrollably. 

Mold thrives in areas with high moisture and humidity levels, especially in the presence of plumbing leaks, damaged roofs, clogged gutters, etc. Unfortunately, old houses often have higher mold growth due to their leaky pipes and severely weakened foundations. 

In most cases, most molds are benign—they usually don’t cause diseases. However, there are some types that may aggravate severe allergic reactions or cause serious infections, especially for people with compromised immune systems. This is why you should get rid of the old house smell as soon as possible. This also ensures that any mold in the house is removed.

• Presence Of Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke is one of the causes of old house smell. It produces nicotine and other highly toxic chemicals, leaving hard-to-remove residues everywhere, including floors, ceilings, walls, and carpets. They may leave yellowish-brown stains on some of the areas mentioned, including appliances and ventilation systems.

In addition, tobacco smoke is extremely dangerous to your health. It’s the source of secondhand smoke, which may cause severe respiratory conditions, especially lung cancer. In fact, inhaling cigarette smoke is more dangerous than using one.

Moreover, tobacco smoke may linger for several years, especially when not removed thoroughly. This may reduce the value of your home by up to 30%. Of course, no one would want to buy a house that reeks of cigarettes.

• Presence Of Pet Dander

Pets are caring companions. However, they could also be the reason why your old house reeks of unwanted smell, which can negatively affect indoor air quality. This is because of the pet dander that cats and dogs naturally shed.

Pet dander is microscopic flakes of skin shed by animals with feathers and fur, such as dogs, cats, and birds. Since its lightweight and extremely small, it often suspends itself in the air for a long time before it sticks to furniture, fabrics, bedding, and other household objects.

In addition, pet dander may easily circulate through your home’s HVAC system with airborne dust and pollen that you and your family could inhale. With this, you might experience illness and allergic reactions. Also, pet dander can clog your HVAC system’s air filter over time, forcing it to work harder and thus increasing your energy consumption.

One effective way to get rid of pet dander circulating around an old house is by using a vacuum. This is highly recommended, even if you don’t have any pets living with you. Also, vacuuming is much more effective than using a simple duster that can only make things worse by redistributing the dander through the HVAC system or other types of furniture.

• Lack Of Proper Ventilation

The old house smell exists due to a lack of proper ventilation. This is because old houses are closed up for so long, accumulating stagnant air in the process.

Stagnant air is the accumulated smell of pollutants in the air. Such pollutants include pet dander, tobacco smoke, and mold. To improve air circulation around your home, consider adding more windows and replacing your old HVAC system if necessary.

Final Words

Old houses offer timeless beauty and charm. However, they don’t often smell good due to many factors. These include ventilation issues, mold, pet dander, and tobacco smoke, which can cause serious illnesses, infections, and allergic reactions. This is why getting rid of that old house smell is crucial to making your home a safe and healthy place for you and your family.