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How To Remove Musty Smell From Kitchen Cupboards Guide
A strange, musty smell coming from your kitchen cupboards can make the whole room feel unclean and unwelcoming. What causes this musty smell? It’s often caused by moisture trapped inside the cupboard, leading to mold or mildew growth, or by old spills and food particles hidden away. This guide will show you how to get rid of that bad smell and make your kitchen cabinets fresh again.
Why Cupboards Get Musty
What makes kitchen cabinets smell bad? Several things can cause a musty odor in cupboards. Knowing the cause helps you fix the problem right.
h4 Keeping Things Clean
Food bits can get left behind. Crumbs fall. Spilled liquids dry up. These bits of food can start to rot. This creates a bad smell. It’s like tiny messes adding up over time. If you don’t clean often, these messes grow.
h4 Wetness and Damp Air
Moisture is a big reason for musty smells. Where does this wetness come from?
* Leaky pipes: A small leak under the sink is a common cause. Water drips onto the cabinet bottom. It stays wet.
* Steam: Steam from cooking can get into cabinets. This is more likely if cabinets are close to the stove or kettle.
* Wet dishes: Putting dishes away that are still wet adds moisture. Water drops off and sits on the shelves.
* High humidity: If the air in your home is very damp, it can make cabinets damp too.
* Spills: Liquid spills that are not cleaned up quickly soak into the wood.
Wet wood or particleboard is a perfect home for mold and mildew. These are tiny living things that grow in damp places. They are the main cause of that musty smell.
h4 Poor Air Flow
Cupboards are often closed most of the time. Air doesn’t move inside them much. This traps smells inside. If there is any moisture, the lack of fresh air makes it worse. It helps mold and mildew grow.
h4 Old Materials
Older cabinets might hold onto smells more. The wood or finish might break down a little over time. This can create a faint, stale smell even if they seem clean.
Getting Ready to Clean
Before you start to clean smelly kitchen cabinets, you need to get ready. This makes the job easier and works better.
h4 Take Everything Out
Empty every single item from the smelly cupboards. Take out dishes, food, pots, pans, everything. Put them on your counter or table. This lets you see all the inside surfaces. You can find spills or hidden messes.
h4 Look Closely
Now that the cupboards are empty, look inside carefully.
* Check the corners.
* Look at the back walls.
* Feel the bottoms of the shelves.
* Check the cabinet floor, especially under the sink.
What are you looking for?
* Wet spots
* Dark spots (could be mold)
* Sticky areas
* Crumbs or spilled food
* Signs of leaks (water stains, warped wood)
Finding the source of the smell is key. If you see dark spots or feel dampness, you likely have mold or mildew.
h4 Gather Your Tools
You will need some basic cleaning supplies. You might already have most of these.
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Empty bucket or bowl | For mixing cleaning solutions |
| Warm water | Base for cleaning solutions |
| White vinegar | Good for killing mold and smells |
| Baking soda | Great for soaking up smells |
| Gentle dish soap | Helps clean away grease and spills |
| Soft cleaning cloths | For wiping surfaces (have a few) |
| Stiff brush | For scrubbing tough spots or mold |
| Spray bottle | To apply cleaning solutions easily |
| Gloves | To protect your hands |
| Safety mask | If you think there is mold or dust |
| Old towels or paper towels | To dry surfaces and clean up spills |
The Cleaning Steps
Now it’s time to clean smelly kitchen cabinets. Follow these steps to remove musty odor from cupboards.
h4 First Clean: Wipe Away Messes
Start with a basic cleaning.
1. Mix warm water with a little dish soap in your bucket.
2. Dip a cloth in the soapy water. Squeeze out most of the water. The cloth should be damp, not dripping wet.
3. Wipe down all the inside surfaces of the cupboards. Get the shelves, the sides, the back, and the floor.
4. Pay extra attention to sticky spots or visible dirt.
5. Use your stiff brush if you need to scrub something off.
6. Rinse your cloth often in the soapy water.
7. After washing, get a clean cloth. Wet it with plain water and wring it out well. Wipe all the surfaces again to remove the soap.
This step gets rid of surface dirt and spills. It’s the first step to a clean start.
h4 Second Clean: Tackle the Smell
After cleaning away the dirt, you need to deodorize kitchen cabinets. Vinegar is a powerful tool for this. It kills many types of mold and bacteria that cause smells.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in your spray bottle. For example, one cup of vinegar and one cup of water.
- Spray the inside surfaces of the cupboards with this vinegar mix. Don’t soak the wood, just make it damp.
- Let the vinegar mix sit on the surfaces for about 10-15 minutes. The vinegar smell will be strong, but it goes away later. While it sits, it works to kill smell-causing things.
- After 10-15 minutes, wipe the surfaces clean with a damp cloth.
- Dry the surfaces completely with a clean, dry towel. It’s very important to dry everything well. Wetness brings the smell back.
Vinegar for cabinet odor is a top natural remedy. It works great on musty smells.
h4 Dealing with Mold in Kitchen Cabinets
If you saw dark spots or felt damp wood, you might have mold. Dealing with mold in kitchen cabinets needs careful steps. Mold is bad for your health, so wear gloves and maybe a mask.
-
Small Mold Spots: If the mold is just a few small spots:
- Mix a stronger vinegar solution: Use white vinegar that is not mixed with water. Put it in a spray bottle.
- Spray the moldy spots directly.
- Let it sit for an hour or more. Vinegar kills mold slowly.
- Scrub the mold away with a stiff brush.
- Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.
- Dry the area completely right away. You can use a fan to help air dry it faster.
-
Larger Mold Areas: If there is a lot of mold, or if the wood feels soft or crumbly, the problem is bigger. Mold might be deep in the wood.
- You might need to use a special cleaner made for killing mold. Follow the directions on the bottle carefully. Make sure it is safe for wood surfaces.
- Sometimes, mold means the cabinet material is ruined. If wood is warped or falling apart from mold and water damage, you might need to replace that part of the cabinet.
- Find the source of the water! Mold won’t stop coming back until you fix the leak or damp problem that caused it. Check pipes, the wall behind the cabinet, and seals around sinks.
Always dry the area completely after cleaning mold. Moisture is mold’s best friend.
h4 Airing Out Kitchen Cupboards
Airing out kitchen cupboards is a simple but important step. Fresh air helps remove stale, musty smells trapped inside.
1. Open all the cupboard doors wide.
2. If you can, open kitchen windows or doors too. This creates a flow of fresh air.
3. Let the cupboards air out for as long as possible. A few hours is good. A whole day is better. If you can leave them open overnight, even better.
4. Use a fan. Point a fan towards the open cupboards. This moves the air faster and helps them dry more quickly.
This step helps airing out kitchen cupboards and lets the cleaning smells go away too.
Natural Ways to Deodorize
After cleaning, you can use natural remedies for cupboard smell to keep them smelling fresh. These help absorb smells left behind.
h4 Baking Soda Power
Baking soda in cupboards is a classic trick. It’s great at soaking up smells from the air.
* Place a small bowl or an open box of baking soda inside each cupboard.
* Don’t put a lid on it. The more air that touches the baking soda, the better it works.
* Change the baking soda every few months, or sooner if the smell comes back. Old baking soda can hold smells itself.
h4 Other Smell Absorbers
Besides baking soda, several other common items can help remove musty odor from cupboards.
* Activated Charcoal: This is like a super-powered version of regular charcoal. It’s used in air filters because it’s very good at pulling smells out of the air. You can buy activated charcoal bags or blocks. Place them in the cupboards.
* Coffee Grounds: A bowl of dry, unused coffee grounds can absorb smells. Some people love the smell of coffee, so this also adds a pleasant scent. Use dry, not wet, grounds.
* Vanilla Extract: Put a few drops of vanilla extract on a cotton ball or small cloth. Place it in the cupboard. This adds a nice smell, but it doesn’t absorb bad smells like baking soda or charcoal. Use it after the bad smell is gone.
* Oatmeal: An open container of dry oatmeal can also help absorb smells over time.
You can use one of these or a mix in different cupboards.
h4 Lemon Freshness
Lemons are naturally fresh. You can use them to help make cabinets smell better.
1. Cut a lemon in half.
2. Place the lemon halves cut-side up on a small plate in the cupboard.
3. Leave them for a few days.
4. Remove the lemons when they start to dry out.
This adds a fresh, clean scent while the lemon absorbs some smells.
When the Smell Won’t Go Away
Sometimes, even after cleaning and deodorizing, the musty smell stays. What does this mean?
h4 Hidden Water Problem
A strong, lasting musty smell often means there is a water source you haven’t found. Go back and check again.
* Look very closely under the sink. Is the drain pipe leaking just a tiny bit? Is the water supply line dripping slowly?
* Check the walls behind the cabinet. Is there a water pipe in the wall that might be leaking?
* Is there a dishwasher next to the cabinet? Check the seal and connections on that side.
* Is the cabinet on an outside wall? Sometimes, water can come through the wall from outside if there’s damage.
You might need to call a plumber or a home repair person to find the hidden leak. Fixing the water problem is the only way to truly get rid of the smell caused by ongoing dampness and mold.
h4 Deep Mold Damage
If mold got deep into the wood, you might not be able to clean it all out. The musty smell from mold is hard to get rid of if the mold is still growing inside the material.
* Check if the wood is soft, crumbly, or shows a lot of dark stain. This could mean deep mold.
* In this case, you might need to replace the part of the cabinet that is damaged. It’s better than having mold continue to grow and spread.
h4 Smell Soaked In
Sometimes, smells can really soak into porous materials like wood over a long time. Even if the cause is gone, the smell is “in the walls” of the cabinet.
* Continue airing out the cupboards regularly.
* Keep using strong smell absorbers like activated charcoal.
* You might need to try a special odor-sealing primer paint on the inside surfaces. This paint is designed to block smells from coming through. Clean the cabinet well, let it dry completely, and then paint the inside. Always use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint in your kitchen.
Stopping Musty Smells Before They Start
The best way to deal with a musty smell is to prevent it from happening. Here are tips to prevent musty smell in cabinets.
h4 Keep it Dry
This is the most important thing.
* Dry dishes fully before putting them away.
* Wipe up spills in cabinets right away. Don’t let them sit.
* Check under your sink regularly for leaks. Look for wet spots, drips, or water stains. Fix any leaks immediately.
* Use an exhaust fan when cooking or boiling water to reduce steam in the kitchen.
* If you live in a very humid place, consider using a dehumidifier in your home.
h4 Allow Air Flow
Even closed cabinets need some air now and then.
* Open your kitchen cabinet doors for a while once a week or so. Especially after cooking or cleaning. This lets fresh air in and pushes stale air out.
* Don’t pack your cabinets too full. Leaving some space allows air to move around the items inside.
h4 Clean Regularly
Make quick cupboard cleaning part of your kitchen routine.
* Every few months, take everything out of your cupboards. Wipe down the shelves and inside surfaces with a damp cloth and maybe a little vinegar solution. Dry thoroughly.
* Sweep or vacuum crumbs from the bottom of cabinets often.
h4 Use Cabinet Liners
Shelf liners can help.
* They protect the cabinet surface from spills and scratches.
* If a spill happens on a liner, you can often just take the liner out and wash it or replace it. This protects the wood underneath.
* Choose liners that are easy to wipe clean.
h4 Store Food Properly
Make sure all food is in sealed containers.
* Open boxes of crackers or cereal can spill crumbs.
* Leaky food containers (like honey or syrup) make sticky messes.
* Sealed containers prevent spills and keep food fresh. This means fewer crumbs and sticky spots to cause smells or attract pests.
By taking these steps, you can keep your kitchen cabinets fresh and clean, stopping that unpleasant musty smell before it even starts. Regularly checking for leaks, keeping things dry, allowing air flow, and cleaning often are your best defenses.
Putting It All Together: A Quick Guide
Here is a simple plan to help you remove musty odor from cupboards.
| Step | Action | Tools/Materials | Key Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare | Empty cabinets; Look for spills, dampness, mold; Find the cause (leak?) | Gloves, Mask, Light | See the problem clearly; Find water source |
| 2. Basic Clean | Wipe surfaces with soapy water; Rinse; Dry well. | Bucket, Dish soap, Warm water, Cloths, Towels | Remove surface dirt and spills |
| 3. Deodorize (Vinegar) | Spray with 1:1 vinegar/water; Let sit 10-15 min; Wipe; Dry completely. | Spray bottle, White vinegar, Water, Cloths, Towels | Kill smell-causing bacteria/mildew |
| 4. Deal with Mold | If mold found, spray with straight vinegar; Scrub; Wipe; Dry well. | Straight white vinegar, Stiff brush, Cloths, Towels | Kill and remove mold |
| 5. Air Out | Leave cabinet doors open wide; Open windows/use fan. | Fan (optional) | Let fresh air circulate; Dry surfaces completely |
| 6. Add Deodorizers | Place open box of baking soda or activated charcoal inside. | Baking soda OR Activated charcoal, Small container | Absorb remaining and future smells |
| 7. Prevent | Fix leaks; Dry dishes; Clean spills; Air out often; Use liners. | Tools to fix leaks, Liners | Stop the smell from coming back |
Follow these steps, and you should be able to get rid of the musty smell and keep your kitchen cabinets smelling fresh and clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
h3 Common Questions About Musty Cupboards
h4 Can I use bleach to clean musty kitchen cabinets?
Yes, you can use a weak bleach solution, but be very careful. Bleach can damage some cabinet finishes. It’s also harsher than vinegar and the fumes are strong. Vinegar is often safer for wood and effective against mold and odor-causing bacteria. If you use bleach, mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts water. Test it in a small, hidden spot first. Wear gloves and make sure the area is well-aired. Rinse and dry very well. For most musty smells and mild mold, vinegar is a better first choice.
h4 How long does it take for the musty smell to go away?
It depends on the cause. If it was just old crumbs or a small spill, the smell might go away within a day or two after cleaning and airing out. If the smell was from mold or a hidden water problem, it will take longer. You might need to clean several times and let the cabinets air out for days. If the smell stays after a week of cleaning and airing, you likely have a bigger problem like a hidden leak or deep mold damage that needs to be fixed first.
h4 Is the musty smell harmful?
A musty smell is often caused by mold or mildew. Breathing in mold spores can be bad for your health, especially for people with allergies, asthma, or weak immune systems. A strong, ongoing musty smell means there is likely active mold growth. It’s important to clean it up for your health and the health of your home.
h4 Can I paint over the smell?
Just painting over a musty smell doesn’t work if the cause (like moisture or mold) is still there. The smell will likely come back. You must clean thoroughly, deal with any mold, fix any water problems, and make sure the cabinet is completely dry first. Once the cabinet is clean, dry, and the cause is fixed, you can use a special odor-blocking primer paint on the inside surfaces to help seal in any leftover smells before applying a final coat of paint.
h4 How often should I clean my kitchen cabinets to prevent smells?
A full empty-out and clean every 3-6 months is a good idea. Wipe up spills right away when they happen. Quickly sweep or vacuum out crumbs from the bottom of cabinets under food items every month or so. And check under the sink for leaks every few weeks.
h4 What if the smell is in new cabinets?
New cabinets shouldn’t smell musty. If they do, it might mean they got wet during shipping or storage. Or maybe the smell is coming from the wall they are installed on. Check the wall behind the cabinet for dampness. Air out the cabinets well. If the smell doesn’t go away quickly, contact the cabinet supplier.
h4 Can coffee grounds or dryer sheets remove musty smell?
Dry coffee grounds can absorb smells, similar to baking soda or charcoal. They also add their own scent. Dryer sheets add a fresh scent, but they don’t absorb bad smells. It’s better to use something that absorbs the smell first, like baking soda or activated charcoal, before adding a pleasant scent like vanilla or lemon.
Getting rid of musty smells takes effort, but it makes your kitchen a much nicer place to be. By cleaning well, letting things dry, and using natural helpers, you can win the fight against cupboard smells. Remember to prevent them by keeping things dry and clean going forward.