Modern Comforts for an Old House: How to Deal With Musty Smells and Stuffy Rooms

There’s no equivalent to the appeal of an old-style house; the original hardwood floors, the detailed woodwork, and the special architectural features give it a character that modern buildings seldom achieve. However, together with this historic quality comes a number of less desirable qualities. The ones most frequently found are a rather strong musty smell and upstairs rooms that always manage to feel unpleasantly stuffy.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

For everyone, carrying out major HVAC installations by ripping into the original plaster walls isn’t something that’s possible. When you’re not prepared to make structural alterations, dealing with stale air can at times be very tiring. The good point is that minor and non-invasive improvements can make some rooms feel much more comfortable. Even though regular maintenance won’t take the place of serious moisture repairs if your house has fundamental problems, mixing in a thorough cleaning schedule with focused airflow helps a great deal. It’s possible to boost daily comfort without compromising the original character of your home.

What is the source of that distinct musty smell?

Before you attempt to improve the air quality in an old house you should first know what you are actually smelling since that familiar odour is generally due to a combination of three things:

• Dust and debris that have built up over the years can easily collect in the deep cracks in the floor, in the areas behind the heavy baseboards, and in the old wall cavities.
• In places that are damp or moist: it is common for older houses to have basements, crawl spaces, or masonry foundations in which moisture can easily get in or gather.
• Due to poor ventilation and still air: when natural airflow is restricted, rooms which have been left closed for long periods of time end up with stale air.

A few words about safety: Although a slight musty smell is very common in older houses, a persistent or strong mould odour could be a sign of a more serious problem. When the smell is intense, you should always look for active water leaks or significant moisture issues rather than simply trying to cover it up.

Start With Cleaning and Moisture Control

When renovating an older house you must first deal with the fundamental cause.

Clean the areas that have been neglected. Vacuum the gaps in the original floorboards, give the walls a thorough wash and remove any existing floor grates. Then go down to your basement or crawl space to look for any obvious dampness.

Maintaining indoor humidity at a moderate level—typically between 30 and 50 per cent—reduces the conditions that favour mildew growth, thereby helping to alleviate musty smells. Among owners of older houses, operating a dehumidifier in the basement is generally the first measure taken. It should be noted, however, that air-cleaning appliances do not take the place of correcting the real moisture problems; you should deal with the source of the dampness before taking any other action.

Improve Indoor Air Filtration

After the problems of cleaning and underlying moisture have been dealt with, an air purifier proves to be very useful when it comes to handling the odours that occur every day in the house. In older homes there are more chances for dust to build up, especially in the gaps around the floors, in the antique moldings and in the hard-to-reach corners. A good filtration system catches those particles in the air before they land on your furniture and surfaces.

For homeowners who want a more convenient method of dealing with everyday airborne particles, smart air purifiers can easily be placed in either the bedroom or the living room. Moreover, if you have pets or are carrying out DIY activities regularly, air filtration is also a practical solution for handling the extra particles that would otherwise keep circulating in the rooms you use most.

Improve Airflow in Stuffy Rooms Without Major Renovations

A room always seems very unpleasant even if the air is entirely clean, especially in converted attics and upper-storey bedrooms in older houses.

Use Cross-Ventilation When Conditions Allow

It is still one of the most effective tricks available. If the weather is suitable, open windows on opposite sides of the house to produce a cross-breeze. This should be done during the cooler parts of the day, for example in the early morning or in the late evening, in order to get rid of the stale air inside. However, omit this step if the quality of the outdoor air is bad.

Create Targeted Airflow in Upstairs Rooms

Ceiling fans are very effective, yet they are not always practical in older houses since you could have low ceilings, fragile antique plaster medallions, or older wiring which needs professional treatment before you can safely fit a heavy new ceiling fan.

Where it is not practical to have a ceiling fan, a small tower fan can provide localized airflow without the need for any permanent fitting. One example of such a fan is the Levoit mini tower fan, as it helps to effectively keep the still air in motion.

Make Modern Appliances Work With Vintage Decor

A big concern for people who are fitting modern appliances into an old house is the fear of spoiling the overall look; no one wants a futuristic item made of plastic going against beautiful antique furniture. Here’s how you can manage getting them to go together:

• Select the right palette and finishes; neutral options like white, black, or soft, subdued tones are usually much easier to incorporate into an existing room than highly decorative or shiny ones.
• Make sure the cords are neat, since older houses usually have few outlets. Route wires neatly behind furniture or use cord covers along the baseboards so they don’t stand out.
• Place them strategically rather than trying to conceal them. Treat your modern appliances as functional elements of the room, and place them next to your furniture instead of hiding them entirely behind large houseplants or old screens. Blocking the air intakes or exhaust vents of these appliances will have a direct effect on the airflow.

Conclusion

The fact that an old house has a historic character does not mean that you have to give up the comfort you expect in daily life. If you first deal with the root causes of moisture, maintain a regular cleaning schedule, and then wisely introduce some modern facilities to improve airflow and filtration, you are often able to cut down on the musty smells you experience every day.

You can enhance comfort inside your home without compromising your home’s historic character.

What would you consider to be your preferred method of making an old house more comfortable without altering its character? Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)