4 Best Air Fresheners For Musty Smell for 2023
When I first moved into my home, it smelled exactly like fresh paint and sunshine. But now that I’ve been here for a few years, I can’t deny that there’s the occasional musty smell. Human life is busy and messy, and it’s impossible to keep everything smelling like it’s brand new.
To solve the problem, I’ve started placing air fresheners in my closets and cabinets. These handy little devices absorb smells and leave the air feeling clean and dry.
Although all of these air fresheners are excellent, I’d have to recommend the MIA Home Comfort Charcoal Bags. Activated bamboo charcoal is my favorite type of odor absorber since it doesn’t have its own smell and doesn’t cause an allergic reaction. I also love that MIA Home Comfort sends you a total of eight charcoal bags; one pack should be enough to freshen your entire home.
| DampRid Easy-Fill System | DampRid Lavender Vanilla | MIA Home Comfort Charcoal Bags | Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | Calcium Chloride | Calcium Chloride | Bamboo Charcoal | Bamboo Charcoal |
| Scent | Fragrance – Free | Lavender Vanilla | Fragrance-Free | Fragrance-Free |
| Duration | 60 Days | 60 Days | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Size | 10.5 ounces | 10.5 ounces (2-pack) | 75-200 grams (8-pack) | 200 grams (4-pack) |
1) DampRid Easy-Fill System
DampRid makes some of the best conventional air fresheners and moisture absorbers on the market. If you’re looking to kill mold and reduce moisture, you can’t go wrong with the DampRid Easy-Fill System.
This air freshener (see Amazon) is a small white container that sits on a shelf or in the corner of your closet. The inside of the container is filled with calcium chloride beads. The beads pull moisture out of the air and filter it into the bottom of the container. After about two months, toss the old beads and replace them with one of the included refill packs.
The best part of the Easy-Fill system is that you never have to touch the calcium chloride beads. The refill packs come sealed in a clear plastic wrapper. When you’re ready to use them, just take the plastic off and drop them into your current Damp Rid container. If you empty it regularly, one container should last you for years.
Features:
- Plastic container stands on its own
- Lid keeps out pets and children
- Easy-Fill system can be used over and over again
- Calcium chloride beads provide conventional odor relief
Customer Impressions:
Customers love how effectively the calcium chloride beads soak up moisture and make bad smells go away. A few customers have noted that Damp Rid products have their own distinct smell; whether you like it is up to you.
Conclusion:
There’s a reason customers trust DampRid – their products work. The Easy-Fill system is a good choice if you want a simple air freshener for your closet or bathroom.
2) DampRid Lavender Vanilla
If you love the way DampRid absorbers (learn more) work but want a little extra fragrance, the Lavender Vanilla moisture absorbers might be exactly what you’re looking for. The calcium chloride beads have been supplemented with pink fragrance pellets that provide a delightful floral smell.
The moisture absorbers in this two-pack don’t use the same design as the Easy-Fill system. Instead of refill packets, you’ll purchase additional DampRid beads and pour them into the main compartment. Although it’s a little messier, I find that allowing the beads direct exposure to the air is significantly more effective.
Features:
- Calcium chloride beads are mixed with fragrance crystals to improve the smell
- 2-pack lets you freshen a larger area
- Container can be refilled every 2 months
- Comes in both Lavender Vanilla and Fresh Scent
Customer Impressions:
Customers agree that these DampRid absorbers work exceptionally well for their bathrooms, basements, and storage closets. However, a few buyers noted that the smell was too strong for their bedroom or linen cabinet.
Conclusion:
You can’t go wrong with this convenient DampRid design. I love the Lavender Vanilla, but don’t forget to try the Fresh Scent beads as well.
3) MIA Home Comfort Charcoal Bags
MIA Home Comfort Charcoal Bags (shop now) are all-natural air fresheners that can fix almost any musty smell. Each pack of fresheners comes with eight small bags that can be placed anywhere in your home.
Activated bamboo charcoal is a natural odor absorber that can pull allergens and toxins out of the air. Since musty smells are usually caused by mold and mildew particles, placing activated charcoal in the room can actually help stop the problem at its source.
When you open your pack of fresheners, you’ll find four 200-gram bags and four 75-gram bags. I like to place the large packs in my closets and use the smaller absorbers for my gym bag or my towel drawers. MIA Home Comfort also includes four S-hooks so you can hang the bags around your house.
Features:
- Activated bamboo charcoal naturally absorbs allergens and bad smells
- Fragrance-free solution smells great in all environments
- Comes with 8 charcoal bags in 2 different sizes
- Includes 4 S-hooks to conveniently hang the bags
- Lasts for up to 2 years of fresh, clean air
Customer Impressions:
Customers have been amazed at how well activated charcoal kills the musty smells in their homes. These absorbers are all-natural, so they don’t add a chemical scent to the area they’re supposed to be purifying. However, a few buyers mentioned that the bags weren’t as strong as they expected. If you need a serious moisture absorber, calcium chloride might be a better solution.
Conclusion:
As far as activated bamboo charcoal fresheners go, MIA Home Comfort provides the best on the market. I love how many absorbers are in each pack; eight is plenty for my entire home.
4) Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags
Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bags (learn more) are another all-natural air freshening solution. These burlap bags are simple, stylish, and effective. One pack comes with four 200-gram bags that can be placed in any part of your home.
I think the best part of activated charcoal absorbers is that they last for up to two years. If the absorber stops working, try placing it in direct sunlight for a day. This will kill any bacteria and restore the activated charcoal.
Features:
- Activated bamboo charcoal naturally absorbs musty smells
Burlap bag looks great next to your decor
Comes with four different 200-gram absorbers
Purifies your air for up to 2 years
Customer Impressions:
Customers were shocked at how well these charcoal absorber bags work in musty environments. Although they aren’t a cure-all solution, they will make a noticeable improvement to the smell of your closet, basement, or bathroom.
Conclusion:
Eco chic co. prides themselves on providing high-quality products, and their Charcoal Air Purifying Bags are no exception. These air fresheners will absorb bad odors and keep your home smelling clean and delightful.
Keeping Musty Smells Out of Your Home
Air fresheners are helpful, but they can’t get rid of the musty smells on their own. Keep the area clean and dry to solve the problem permanently.
What Causes Musty Smells?
A musty smell in your home is caused by the presence of mold or mildew. Mold grows naturally wherever there is moisture, so musty smells are inevitable in bathrooms, basements, and closets in humid environments.
Luckily, a bad smell doesn’t mean you have a serious mold problem. That musty odor appears whenever there’s a tiny bit of mold in the air. If you notice the scent, it means you should probably clean the musty room.
Locate the Culprit
First, check to see if the smell is coming from any specific object in your house. There might be a pile of linens that you haven’t used in years, and old rug in your basement, or a couch with simply ancient upholstery.
Most musty smells can be solved with a load of laundry and a little cleaning. If disinfecting the item doesn’t remove the smell, you might have to get rid of it; this is usually the case for extremely old furniture items.
Dry and Disinfect
Whether or not you found a moldy item, you should definitely clean and dry the entire area. Purchase a disinfecting cleaner like this, or create your own by mixing a single capful of bleach in with an entire bottle of water. Lightly mist cabinets and walls with the cleaner, then dry them thoroughly with a clean towel.
You can also disinfect entire rooms or furniture items by introducing natural sunlight. Ultraviolet light will kill bacteria and stop mold from growing. Open your windows so the sunlight can stream in; within one day, you’ll notice a serious difference.
Related Article: Easy Ways On How To Get Rid Of Mold On Clothes
Related Questions
Where is the musty smell coming from?
Musty smells are caused by mold or mildew. If you notice a musty smell, the area might need to be cleaned and dried.
How do air fresheners work?
Air fresheners work by absorbing moisture and particles from the air. Calcium chloride is an extremely effective moisture absorber, while bamboo charcoal works better at filtering toxins.
See Also:
6 Best Air Freshener For Litter Box Area
5 Best Longest Lasting Car Air Freshener
