Quick answer: Damp, mould and musty smells all come from one thing: moisture that has nowhere to go. Remove mould from hard surfaces with undiluted white vinegar, leave it for an hour, wipe and dry. Then cut the moisture: open windows when it isn't raining, run exhaust fans, keep furniture a few inches from walls, dry clothes fully before storing, and mop with a well-wrung mop. Find and fix leaks, because cleaning alone won't stop mould that is fed by a seeping wall.
Every Indian home knows the monsoon smell. Clothes that stay damp for two days, a wardrobe that smells like a basement, leather bags with white spots, black patches spreading on the bathroom ceiling, and floors that feel sticky no matter how often you mop. Rain brings relief from the heat, but humidity above 70% for weeks on end turns the house into the perfect place for mould. Here is how to deal with it, room by room.
Why the monsoon causes damp and mould
Mould spores are everywhere, all the time. They only grow when they find moisture and something to feed on, like dust, soap scum, wood, cotton or leather. During the monsoon, humid air, wet clothes drying indoors, closed windows and seepage through walls give them both. Mould can trigger sneezing, coughing and asthma in sensitive people, so it is worth dealing with early.
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How to remove mould from walls and ceilings
- Protect yourself. Wear gloves and a mask, and open a window.
- Spray undiluted white vinegar on the mould. Vinegar works on many common household moulds.
- Leave it for an hour, then wipe with a damp cloth.
- Dry the area fully with a fan.
- Find the cause. Mould that comes back in the same spot points to a leak, seepage or a damp wall that needs a plumber or waterproofing.
Never mix vinegar with bleach, and never mix bleach with ammonia or acid toilet cleaners. Use one product at a time. On painted walls, test vinegar on a small hidden patch first. For large areas of mould, more than about a square metre, get professional help.
How to get rid of a musty smell in wardrobes
- Empty the wardrobe on a sunny or dry day and wipe the inside with a cloth dampened with diluted white vinegar. Leave the doors open to dry.
- Never store damp clothes. Clothes that feel even slightly cool are not fully dry.
- Use moisture absorbers. Silica gel packets, a bowl of rock salt, or a cloth bag of baking soda or charcoal in the corner absorbs moisture and odour. Replace them regularly.
- Use neem leaves or cloves in cloth pouches, a traditional way to keep clothes fresh and deter insects.
- Leave a little space between clothes so air can move, and keep wardrobes a few inches away from outside walls.
How to dry clothes indoors without a damp smell
- Use the extra spin cycle to remove as much water as possible before hanging.
- Use the right amount of detergent. Extra detergent holds moisture and smells in the fabric. See our article on detergent residue.
- Hang clothes with space between them near a fan or a window, not in a closed bedroom.
- Turn thick clothes inside out and flip them halfway through.
- Clean the washing machine. A smelly machine makes smelly clothes. Here's how to clean a washing machine.
- Rewash clothes that smell musty rather than spraying them with perfume.
How to keep floors clean in the monsoon
Mud from shoes, wet umbrellas and paw prints make monsoon floors sticky. Keep a doormat inside and outside the main door, and a stand or tray for wet umbrellas and footwear. Mop with a well-wrung mop and a small dose of floor cleaner, since too much water and too much product both take longer to dry and leave a film that holds dirt. Switch on the fan after mopping. If you have crawling babies or pets, read our guide to baby and pet safe floor cleaning.
Bathroom and kitchen in the monsoon
- Bathroom: run the exhaust fan during and after bathing, wipe down wet walls, and scrub grout weekly. Our guide to cleaning bathroom grout covers black mould between tiles.
- Kitchen: wipe the inside of cabinets under the sink, store grains, atta and masalas in airtight containers, and wash and dry dishcloths every day.
- Fridge: check the rubber seal for mould spots and wipe it with a little dishwashing liquid in warm water.
Leather, shoes and bags
White, powdery spots on leather are mould. Wipe them off outdoors with a soft dry cloth, then wipe with a cloth very lightly dampened with diluted white vinegar, and dry in shade, not direct sun. Store bags and shoes stuffed with newspaper, in breathable cloth bags rather than plastic, with a silica gel packet.
Monsoon cleaning checklist
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Open windows and run fans when it isn't raining | Daily |
| Mop floors with a well-wrung mop | Daily |
| Wash and dry dishcloths and kitchen towels | Daily |
| Check walls, ceilings and corners for mould | Weekly |
| Scrub bathroom grout and wipe walls | Weekly |
| Air out wardrobes and replace moisture absorbers | Every 2 weeks |
| Clean the washing machine | Monthly |
Mistakes to avoid
- Masking smells with air freshener. It hides the problem without removing the moisture. See natural ways to keep your home smelling fresh.
- Painting over mould. It grows back through the paint unless the damp is fixed first.
- Keeping every window shut. On dry hours between showers, air the house.
- Over-wet mopping. Excess water on floors adds to indoor humidity.
- Mixing cleaners. Never mix bleach with vinegar, acids or ammonia.
What we use
Our Plant Based Floor Cleaner needs no rinsing, just 30ml in half a bucket of water, so floors dry faster, with a light mogra fragrance. Our Plant Based Laundry Liquid is gentle on skin and dissolves fully, and our Glass & Multi-Surface Cleaner handles bathroom walls, tiles and kitchen counters. All are 100% biodegradable, independently lab tested and safe for homes with kids and pets. The Complete Home Care Kit covers the whole house.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove mould from walls naturally?
Spray undiluted white vinegar on the mould, leave it for an hour, wipe and dry the area fully. Fix any leak or seepage, or it will come back.
How do I get rid of a musty smell in my house during the monsoon?
Air the house during dry hours, run exhaust fans, dry clothes fully before storing, use moisture absorbers in wardrobes, and clean any mould you find instead of covering the smell.
Why do my clothes smell even after washing in the monsoon?
They dried too slowly, or detergent residue is trapping moisture. Use the extra spin cycle, the right amount of detergent, hang clothes with space near a fan, and clean your washing machine.
How do I stop mould in my wardrobe?
Never store damp clothes, keep the wardrobe away from outside walls, leave space between clothes, and use silica gel, rock salt or charcoal to absorb moisture.
Is vinegar better than bleach for mould?
Vinegar works well on many household moulds on hard surfaces and has milder fumes. Whatever you use, never mix vinegar and bleach, as the combination releases toxic gas.
How do I remove white mould from leather bags and shoes?
Brush the mould off outdoors with a dry cloth, wipe with a cloth lightly dampened with diluted vinegar, dry in the shade, and store in breathable bags with silica gel.
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