How do you get rid of musty water smell?

Author: Mr. Emory Bechtelar  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

A solution for removing musty smell is to sanitize your plumbing system, including your water softener, which your local EcoWater dealer can help with.

How do you get the musty smell out of water?

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and at least 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain. Let sit for about 15 minutes then chase with hot water. I do this every few weeks as part of a maintenance routine and it does get rid of that funky odor.

What neutralizes musty smell?

Create a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Pour it into a spray bottle and lightly mist the musty-smelling areas of the clothes. Allow the vinegar solution to sit on the fabric for about 15 minutes to help neutralize the odor.

Why does the water in my house smell musty?

Quick facts. The most common cause for musty-smelling water is environmental factors like decaying organic matter. Pipe erosion may introduce small amounts of copper, iron, or lead into your water supply. With the exception of hydrogen sulfide or sulfur bacteria, causes of the musty smell are typically harmless.

How do I get rid of smelly water in my house?

Disinfect and flush the water heater with a chlorine bleach solution. Chlorination can kill sulfur bacteria. If all bacteria are not destroyed by chlorination, the problem may return within a few weeks. Increase the water heater temperature to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) for several hours.

Housekeeping Tips : How to Remove Musty Mildew Smells

How do you neutralize stagnant water smell?

The most common reason for the odor is stagnant water in your plumbing system, particularly within the hot water heater. The best way to eliminate the odor is to purge your plumbing system by completely emptying your hot water heater.

How long does it take for smelly water to go away?

In some cases, the added chlorine may interact with organic materials built up in the plumbing system and add odor to the water. The odor should disappear after running the water for a few minutes.

How do you get rid of a musty smell in your house fast?

How to Get Rid of Musty Smells
  1. Get a Dehumidifier. ...
  2. Install an Air Purifier. ...
  3. Give Your Home a Deep Cleaning. ...
  4. Remove Musty Odor in Fabric With Baking Soda. ...
  5. Practice Good Laundry Habits. ...
  6. Keep Your Return Air Filter Clean. ...
  7. Attack Whole-House Odors With Natural Odor Fighters. ...
  8. Don't Forget Your Pets.

Why does the water from my tap smell musty?

Musty or earthy

Where water has been left to stand for a long time or has been warmed in little used sections of plumbing. The taste is caused by harmless naturally occurring bacteria or fungi which can grow, especially on rubber fittings. Running your taps for a few minutes should remove any stale water.

Why does my water smell bad from only one faucet?

An odor in one faucet in the house can usually be remedied by flushing the offending faucet. Other possible causes are: Water softener (if applicable) malfunctioning or in need of service. Bacterial growth in a drain, or a dried out drain.

What is a homemade musty odor eliminator?

Essential Oil Spray

Just combine 1 cup of water with 10-15 drops of your preferred essential oil. Then pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray your rooms and fabrics. This method can eliminate odors but also leave behind pleasant fragrances. A caveat: This is a quick DIY solution but it's not long-lasting.

Can a house smell musty without mold?

Humidity in the air is often the cause of mold, but it can also cause a strong smell even if no mold has formed. Dehumidifiers fix this issue, as does proper ventilation. However, in colder months especially, it may not be feasible to vent the entire house.

Will Febreze remove musty smell?

Febreze: Using Febreze is an easy way to get rid of that musty smell without needing any water! The only downside is that it's not a permanent solution. The best way to use it is to spray some onto your clothes before you put them away in a closet, and then spray it on again every time the smell comes back.

What absorbs musty smells?

Baking soda and vinegar are often regarded as some of the best natural cleaning ingredients given their inherent deodorizing properties. When using these ingredients to remove the smell of must, simply place a bowl of either baking soda or vinegar in the affected room overnight to absorb the musty odors.

How do you clean mildew out of water?

Hydrogen peroxide will work fine. Once it's soaked a little, scrub it with a brush and clean with soap and water.

How do I stop my shower from smelling musty?

Addressing Biofilm Buildup and Mold Growth

Biofilm buildup and mold growth are common causes of musty odors in shower drains. Regular cleaning with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can help prevent the formation of biofilms and eliminate mold.

How do you fix musty water smell?

A solution for removing musty smell is to sanitize your plumbing system, including your water softener, which your local EcoWater dealer can help with. Otherwise follow the process that's detailed in the owner's manual for sanitization of your water softening system.

How do I fix smelly tap water naturally?

The source of the odor is usually organic matter in the source water your utility is using. As plants and algae grow and die, their odor and taste can stay in the water even after water treatment. The best way to deal with this is a reverse osmosis water filter. Or if you're in a pinch, a twist of lemon.

How to remove smell from water?

Chlorine is the most widely used oxidant to remove odor from water, but at best deemed mildly effective. Oxygen and potassium permanganate are also only mildly effective water treatment solutions. Oxidizers such as ozone and chlorine dioxide are by far the most efficient in eliminating odor from water.

What soaks up musty smell?

Good ol' baking soda. It's odorless, but absorbs odors really well, which makes it the perfect deodorizer for problem spots (here's looking at you, Fido and Fluffy). Simply sprinkle it on your carpet and let it sit an hour before vacuuming it up to help neutralize odors embedded in your carpet.

Does vinegar remove musty smell?

Vinegar: Place white vinegar in bowls and put them in various places around the basement. This will lift the musty smell from the room after a couple of days. Cat litter: Placing cat litter in open containers and putting them in various locations in the basement will absorb most of the musty smell.

Will musty smell go away on its own?

Typically, the musty smell from your basement indicates the presence of mold or mildew. Do not ignore the smell and hope that it will go away on its own. The key is to identify the problem and eliminate it right away – or it can potentially lead to a bigger problem down the road.

Can a plumber fix smelly water?

Musty, Moldy Or Fishy Water Smell

If it doesn't have an odor, disinfect your drain to get rid of the smell. If the water does smell, there could be bacteria present in your well or water heater tank. Contact a professional plumber on our team to help you remove the bacteria.

Why does my shower water smell musty?

Why Does My Water Smell Funny? If you notice a musty, fishy, or earthy smell in your tap water, it is probably the result of an algae bloom.

Is smelly tap water safe?

Tap water that smells or tastes of chlorine is not usually a cause for concern. Tap water is disinfected with chlorine to make it clean and safe to drink, so the smell is likely left from the treatment process. If the smell or taste of chlorine is very strong, however, it's best to contact your local health agency.

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