Summer is almost here for those of us on the Earth’s axial tilt to closest to the sun right now, which means a season full of travel, fun, memories and great weather. But if you’re not prepared for it, summer can feel oppressive just as winter can.
Such a heavy, stale air feeling is a strange one because it somewhat creeps up on you, and one day your house just starts to feel a bit damp or like the freshness has gone missing, and it’s not always obvious why. You may open the windows, and it doesn’t seem to help much, or the fans just push the funk around, and suddenly your whole house feels like someone’s left a wet towel in the corner for too long. Not fun.
Moreover, when such summer heat combines with humidity and poor circulation, it doesn’t take long before mustiness settles in. So, if your home has been feeling stuffy, clingy or just a bit off lately, in this post, we’ll discuss ways to offset that ambiance and enjoy the comfortable relaxation in this space once again.
Check What’s Present In The Vents Or Filters
If the vents, filters, and rooms that your air travels through every single day are blocked or dusty or full of moisture, they’re not doing you any favours. If your AC hasn’t been cleaned in a while or the filter looks like something pulled from an attic, it’s probably spreading that stale smell every time it kicks on.
That’s when it’s worth looking into proper servicing or even a touch of air conditioning repair work if you suspect the unit isn’t running as it should. Moreover, a broken seal or leak can start building moisture inside the unit itself, and that’s how mildew finds its way in. You may not need a full breakdown, just a tune-up or a coil clean, but getting a professional to take a look will likely clear more than just the air, but keeping the whole unit running well. During a heatwave, you’ll be happy for that.
Get On Top Of Humidity Before It Settles In
Humidity isn’t always dramatic, as it’s not like fog rolls in and coats everything, but you’ll feel it in little ways, such as when the sheets take forever to dry after a wash, your towel smells funny even though it’s clean, or the walls feel just a bit too tacky in the corners. You may just struggle to sleep if the humidity feels trapped in the room.
This can be a sign that the air inside your home isn’t being managed properly, and that extra moisture is what leads to that musty, slightly sour smell. Dehumidifiers are a good investment here then, and if you live in a spot that gets sticky in the summer, they’re more of a necessity than a gadget. The small plug-in ones can help a bedroom or office feel fresher if you’re not looking to spend overly. Also consider any ventilation problems and consider how airflow moves through the house, sometimes just putting fans between windows to help it along can help.
Carpets, Rugs & Corners Matter Too
The smell isn’t always in the air itself, but it could come from some of your home furnishings in the sweltering heat, especially thick fabrics and soft materials that trap moisture. This can include rugs, carpets, curtains, and cushions that can hold onto a slightly damp scent for longer than you’d expect, and if you haven’t deep-cleaned them in a while, they could be quietly spreading the mustiness without drawing much attention.
Before the summer heat hits, consider going over these with a steam cleaner or a proper carpet shampoo if you can get your hands on one, especially in rooms where people walk barefoot or pets like to sleep. Don’t forget the curtains, though, since they tend to be the first thing hit when windows are open and humidity rolls in. If you own furniture with fabric arms or backrests, run a fabric-safe cleaner over them and leave the windows open for a few hours too, and see if it makes a difference. If it does, you may need to care for the piece or perhaps even store it if nothing can be done for now.With this advice, we hope you can more easily avoid a musty-feeling and smelling home even in the thick of the summer heat. Some may even choose to switch out home materials, like opting for tile instead of thick carpet.
