While volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are categorized as man-made or industrial chemicals, MVOCs are naturally occurring. So that musty odor you are smelling is not “just” mold but is a result of the chemical compounds released at different stages of the mold’s growth. As mold forms, grows, and spreads, it emits gasses known as microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). When all of the other environmental elements combine with condensation, moisture from humidity, or leaking water, mold begins to grow. The last ingredient - moisture - is the biggest problem. Essentially, all mold needs to grow is the presence of mold spores, a surface to grow on, warmth, darkness, oxygen, and moisture. While the term “musty” often brings to mind an old library or your grandma’s attic, mold and mildew can grow practically anywhere-even your modern home or apartment. While other things - like a lack of ventilation or high levels of humidity - can make a musty odor more noticeable, they typically are not the primary cause of the smell. If your home or clothing smells musty, chances are you have mold or mildew hiding out. It’s most common smelled in either places where mold spores can colonize undisturbed like basements and closets, or in places where there is plenty of moisture like bathrooms. Mold and mildew smell stale and pungent, similar to the smell of rotting wood. Let us take a look at how you can identify the source of a musty smell, what actions you can take to remove the smell, and, most importantly, how you can keep the musty smell from returning. The good news is that you can get rid of musty smells from your home, your clothes, and from your life. And while that old house smell is certainly unpleasant, a musty smell can be a tell-tale sign that there’s mold or mildew lurking, so it’s not just a matter of unpleasantries. One thing is certain: dealing with musty smells in your home and on your clothes can be frustrating, especially when you work hard to keep things clean. If you can see or smell mold, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) says that a health risk may be present. Thus, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that odor is not a reliable test for indoor air quality. We may smell odors that seem pleasing and natural, but in reality are not healthy. And none of us can smell a truly hazardous air pollutant, carbon monoxide. Some people can smell moldy or musty odors in dry places, while others cannot smell odors even in places that are clearly damp and moldy. Though we have evolved a keen sense of smell, our olfactory experience of the air we breathe is varied. In fact, research has shown that “people who couldn’t smell at all were at least three times more likely to have experienced a hazardous event than people with intact olfactory capabilities.” While this is not exactly pleasant, it is important that humans can smell things that could alert us to potential danger. Are these words that come to mind when you pull should-be-fresh clothes out of the dryer? Or when you walk down to the basement? What you’re smelling is often described as a “musty” odor.

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