The monsoon can be a welcome break from the heat, but the heavy rains can make keeping a home fresh and dry a little more challenging. Across India, homes often stay closed during rainy spells to prevent
rainwater from entering through open windows. Add damp walls, possible leaks, wet footwear and clothes drying indoors, and it is easy for that familiar musty smell to settle into the house.
The problem is not necessarily that your home is dirty. High humidity and poor ventilation can allow moisture to linger, while damp fabrics can quickly develop an unpleasant odour. Simply lighting a candle or spraying an air freshener may mask the smell temporarily, but it doesn’t address the moisture or dampness causing it.
The good news is that you can make your home smell fresh during monsoon without relying on artificial fragrances. A few simple cleaning and ventilation hacks can help reduce the sources of bad odours and make your home feel noticeably fresher. Here are 5 easy monsoon home-cleaning hacks to try:
Create A Cross-Ventilation Window
Even if you keep your windows closed during heavy rain, look for short periods when the rain has eased to ventilate your home. Open windows on opposite sides of the house for a few minutes to allow stale, humid air to escape and fresher air to circulate.
If opening windows isn’t practical, use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to help move humid air out. Good ventilation is one of the simplest ways to tackle a musty-smelling home during monsoon.
Stop Wet Clothes From Staying Damp For Too Long
Drying laundry indoors is often unavoidable during the rainy season, but leaving damp clothes around the house for hours can contribute to that unpleasant damp smell.
Use a well-ventilated room for drying clothes and avoid overcrowding the drying rack. Leave enough space between garments for air to circulate. If you have a fan, position it so that air moves around the drying clothes rather than leaving them in a stagnant, humid corner.
Once clothes are completely dry, fold and put them away rather than leaving them on chairs, beds or the sofa.
Don’t Ignore Damp Walls And Leaks
A persistent musty odour can sometimes be your home’s way of telling you that there is excess moisture somewhere. Check walls, ceilings, windowsills and corners for damp patches, water stains or signs of leakage, particularly after heavy rainfall.
If you find a leak, don’t simply try to cover the smell. Address the source of the moisture as soon as possible. For recurring dampness, mould or water seepage, getting professional help may be necessary.
Give Your Soft Furnishings Some Sunlight
Curtains, rugs, cushions and mattresses can hold onto moisture and odours during the monsoon. Whenever there is a dry, sunny spell, use it to your advantage.
Take removable rugs and cushions outdoors and let them air and dry thoroughly. Open curtains and allow sunlight into rooms where possible. Wash fabric items according to their care instructions and make sure they are completely dry before bringing them back indoors. This simple step can make a surprisingly big difference to monsoon home freshness.
Keep Floors And Corners Dry And Clean
Water brought indoors on wet footwear, umbrellas and clothes can easily collect in corners and under furniture. Regularly mop these areas and make sure the floor dries completely.
Pay particular attention to bathroom corners, areas near the main entrance and spaces underneath furniture where moisture can remain trapped. You can also move furniture slightly away from damp walls to improve airflow.
