How to get rid of musty smells from cupboards

I’ve had my fair share of musty cupboard experiences. And while they aren’t the end of the world, that first wave of musty smells when you open a cupboard isn’t the best. And when left untreated, they can turn into something way more sinister: like actual mildew and mould that slowly starts taking over the interior of the cupboard (musty bed sheets or mouldy shoes are the worst to deal with – IYKYK).

The good news is that it’s a reasonably low-effort, easy fix. Whether it be your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, or living room cupboards, with a few cleaning tips here and some natural ingredients there, your cupboards will be fresh and must-free in no time.

How to get rid of musty smells from cupboards

First things first: the answer is NOT mothballs. The number of cupboards I’ve opened that have both a musty and mothball smell is crazy. Mothballs are pesticides used to kill and repel clothes moths, larvae and silverfish. They’re made from naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene – toxic chemicals that, if ingested or inhaled, can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea. Mothballs are meant to be added to a sealed bag or container with clothing or shoes – not in the corner of a pantry cupboard.

Instead of toxic chemicals, your solution to musty cupboards is a regular cleaning schedule, proper ventilation, and moisture absorbers or aromatic bags/blocks (although once your cupboards are clean and well ventilated, these become nice-to-haves).

Cleaning schedule

Cupboards are one of the most neglected areas when it comes to cleaning tasks. And no wonder: you keep them packed full of your stuff, which is usually clean anyway, and they’re closed most of the time – so the dust shouldn’t be a problem, right?

While most of it is true, neglecting to dust and air out your cupboard is the problem. We’re not saying you need to add another cleaning task to your weekly list, but you do need to add it to your 6 months/yearly cleaning tasks.

What you’ll need

• Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment
• Sponge/soft-bristled brush
• Microfibre cloth
• Mild liquid dish soap
• Water
• Vinegar
• Drying cloth
• Bicarbonate of soda
• Optional: add a cedar block/moisture absorber/fresh bowl of bicarb/bag of dried herbs to the cupboard

Steps

1. Clear everything out of the cupboard in question.
2. Inspect it (and the stuff): look for any signs of damp, mildew, mould, or signs of pests. Focus your attention on corners and hard-to-reach places. It’s a good idea to place the cleared-out items in the sun (if you can), or in an area with a fresh breeze. Wash any items with mildew, mould or signs of pest infestations if you can.
3. In a container, combine water, a couple of drops of dish soap and a couple of tablespoons of vinegar.
4. Use a sponge/soft-bristled brush/cloth to gently scrub and clean the interior and exterior surfaces of the cupboards.
5. Use a drying cloth to dry the surfaces as much as possible. Leave the cupboard open and empty for a few hours to allow any excess moisture or odours to dissipate.
6. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bicarbonate of soda to a container and pop this into the middle of the cupboard. Close the doors and leave the bicarb to absorb any remaining stubborn odours for at least 30 minutes (or overnight). Throw out the bicarb once it’s done its job.
7. Re-pack your cupboard with cleaned items.
8. Add a cedar block, moisture absorber container or bag filled with dried herbs (like lavender, lemongrass, citronella, rosemary, bay leaves or oregano) to the cupboard. This added extra will keep the cupboard smelling fresh and keep any possible pests at bay.

Tips that keep your cupboard smelling fresh in-between cleans

• For kitchen/pantry cupboards: lay scented or absorbent paper down on each shelf. Absorbent paper works a charm for pantry cupboards filled with oils and condiments. Replace when they start looking shabby
• Keep a jar or bag of dried bay leaves in the cupboard: bay leaves are a natural herb that keeps all sorts of pests at bay (be careful not to keep fresh bay leaves or stalks in the cupboard as these are toxic – fresh bay leaves and stems release cyanide, which stops when dried)
• For damp areas (like coastal homes or bathrooms), it’s always useful to air out your cupboards every week or so, or to add a moisture-absorbing sheet or container
• Keep clean items in the cupboards – this might sound obvious, but even slightly damp or dirty bedding, clothes, shoes, books or dried foods can cause musty odours and mould growth
• Deodorise items in the sun before repacking if you can (this is great for things like clothes, shoes, bedding, books)
• Don’t over-pack cupboards – ensure there’s enough space between and around items for air to circulate between them
• If your cupboards are made with porous material (like plywood), instead of washing them (which will ruin them and make things worse), pop some distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the area lightly, then leave it to air out completely before re-packing.
• If you’re working with sealed surfaces and have a steam-cleaner, consider steam-cleaning after vacuuming. No need for extra ingredients or steps – the heat and steam pressure do all the work for you. Just wipe down and dry before repacking

Also See: How to remove grease build-up from kitchen cabinets