Many homes that have been lived in for a long time have a smell you notice the second you walk in. People call it “old house smell,” “grandma’s house smell,” and sometimes, less kindly, “old person smell.” It isn’t about anyone being unclean. It’s years of everyday life building up in the materials of the home. It comes up a lot when families are clearing out a parent’s home, when buyers move into an older house, and when homes are getting ready to sell.
What Causes Old House Smell
- Old carpet and padding that have absorbed years of spills, pets, cooking and humidity.
- Fabrics: upholstered furniture, curtains, rugs, and closets full of clothes and linens that haven’t moved in years.
- Layers of cooking, smoking and air fresheners soaked into walls, ceilings and cabinets.
- Mothballs and cedar in closets and drawers. See how to get rid of mothball smell.
- Dust and an old AC system. Dirty ductwork and an old air handler keep pushing the same stale air around.
- Moisture. In Florida, older homes often have small leaks or humidity problems that add a musty note.
Step 1: Clear Out and Clean
- Remove what’s holding the smell. Old carpet and pad, worn upholstered furniture, and boxes of stored linens and clothes are often the biggest sources.
- Empty and wipe down closets, cabinets and drawers.
- Wash walls, ceilings and cabinets. If smoke or cooking odor is in the walls, an odor-blocking primer before painting helps.
- Run the AC and change the filter. Have an AC company check the system and ductwork, especially if it’s old.
Step 2: Check for a Musty Smell
If part of the smell is musty or damp, don’t skip this. In older Florida homes it can mean a leak under a sink, around windows, at the roof, or at the AC. We offer a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera to look for hidden moisture. Lab testing is separate if it’s needed. Florida licenses: Mold Assessor MRSA4035, Mold Remediator MRSR4158. Read more on what a musty smell means in a Florida home.
Step 3: Clear the Smell From the Whole Home
Even after a deep clean, old house smell often stays in the air, the AC system and the parts of the home you can’t scrub. Our whole-home odor removal treatment treats the air throughout the entire home, including one AC system and an attached garage. You’ll be out for about 8 hours. It works best after the home is cleared out and cleaned, and it’s an odor treatment only, so any moisture or mold has to be handled first.
Clearing out a loved one’s home? Our gentle guide for families may help. Getting ready to sell? See how to get rid of odors before you list. Just bought an older home? See what to do when the house smells after moving in.
Whole-Home Odor Removal in South Florida: $997
Our Whole-Home Odor Removal Treatment is $997 and includes one AC system ($550 for each additional AC unit). You can buy and schedule it online, or call 877-224-2532. We answer 24/7; when you call, we’ll tell you honestly when a technician can be there based on that day’s schedule. Hablamos español.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews.
