Everytime it is really humid, our house gets this yucky smell. I don't notice it while I am in it, but when I leave, and then come back, it smells bad.

We moved in almost 2 years ago, it was brand new when we moved in. The only thing I can think of is we had lots of field mice when we moved in, maybe their urine?? YUCK! I don't know if I should hire someone to clean all our carpets or what.

I love our house, but this one thing kind of takes some of the enjoyment away. I hate that it smells. I am always spraying air freshner, and it is embarrassing if anyone comes over. I know they must smell it.

Help!!

By Kaye on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 05:53 pm:

I would hire someone to come clean the carpets and tell them you think the carpets have an odor. They have special stuff to use. It is a good first step. Beyond that, you could buy those ionic air purifiers for each room, I am amazed at how well those things work. I put one in our cat's room and it makes a huge difference.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 09:03 am:

The carpet cleaning is a good idea.

BUT -

if you had mice and you are thinking *maybe their urine*, is it possible that that extends to inside your walls?? If *I* were you, Debbie, I'd also have a professional (rodent) exterminating company check things out - just to let you know what your options are *IF* your smell does actually extend to inside your walls.

Another thought comes to mind (from living in a humid climate) - if it's a *urine* smell, that could ALSO be from mildew - and due to the fact that you mostly smell it when it's very humid, THAT raises the possibility of a water leak, and perhaps mildew/mold growing somewhere. Possibly something else you might want to check out.

By Debbie on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 10:35 am:

I thought of the mold thing too, Karen. But, we had a very thorough inspection before we bought the house. Don't you think they would have caught the water leak then? The smell started as soon as we moved in, so I would think if it was a water leak, it would have been here from the beginning, and it would have been found.

Dh and I have been talking about taking out the carpet and putting in hardwood floors. Maybe this will help me push him along. I hate carpet, and it is the one thing I would have changed if I could have.

Today, no humitidy, and it smells fine again. Ugg...I think I will start with the carpets, and go from there.

You know, the smell is kind of a "wet dog" smell.

By Bemerry84 on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 11:51 am:

My basement gets like this is the summer months and there isn't any carpet down there. My Grandma had and old remedy that works for us. We put regular charcoal in a nylon stocking and hang from the ceiling and it absorbs the moisture and the smell. Since this isn't a basement maybe you could put the filled stocking in a nice basket or bowl hidden out of the way and see if that helps temporarily. It can't hurt.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 12:09 pm:

Our basement smells during spring and summer months due to high humidity. We keep a dehumidier running 24/7 during those months, and it gets rid of the musty smell.

By Debbie on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 12:17 pm:

I think I might start with the humidifier, and go from there. It would be a lot less hassle and expense then cleaning the carpet.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 12:32 pm:

I think you meant a DEhumidier. Big difference. LOL!

By Debbie on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 12:56 pm:

LOL, yes a dehumidifer!

By Yjja123 on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 03:01 pm:

I have a family member who has a smelly house. It is mold. Check all you closets, corners, and bathrooms. You are apt to find the source. If it is mold, you need to get rid of it right away. My family member has been sick from the mold. It is nothing to mess with.
Good luck!

PS---our inspector did not find a water leak. We discovered it right after we moved in. Inspectors do not catch everything

By Debbie on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 03:37 pm:

But, if it was mold, wouldn't it smell all the time? It only smells on really humid days. Today, there is no odor at all.

Can't I have a air test for mold?

By Yjja123 on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 05:00 pm:

No... it doesn't smell ALL the time

I do believe you can have a test done for mold. Maybe have a new inspection done on the house?

By Debbie on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 06:39 pm:

There is a mold test you can buy. So, I guess this is where I will start. We are suppose to be humid and rainy this weekend, so I guess I am going tomorrow to get the test. Oh the joys of owning a home!