Mold in the walls of your home or apartment will give off a musty odor, which is often the first warning sign following a flood or leak.
At least, that’s how the majority of people see it.
But if you’ve never experienced the smell of mold before, how can you tell if the strange odor in your room is coming from potentially dangerous mold growth or just the stale smell of the laundry from the previous week?
In this article, we will describe the smell of mold and explain how to distinguish it from other odors that are frequently confused for mold odor.
What Causes the Musty Smell of Mold?
Once you learn how molds produce odor, you’ll have a much better grasp of the odors you encounter.
Certain gaseous chemicals are produced as byproducts of fungal metabolism, and these can contribute to the growth and spread of mold.
Microbial volatile organic compounds are the technical term for these substances (mVOCs). As mVOCs, scientists have pinpointed over 200 compounds, including pungent chemicals like:
- Aldehydes — i.e. pungent, metallic, starchy, waxy, or sweet
- Benzenes — i.e. the smell of gasoline
- Toluenes — i.e. the smell associated with paint or paint thinners
- Ethanol — i.e. the smell of hand sanitizer
- Ketones — i.e. the smell of nail polish remover, overripened fruit, or metal
- Esters — i.e. sweet and fruity like ripe bananas
- Carboxylic Acids — i.e. sour, tart, often unpleasant, and sometimes downright rancid
- Lactones — i.e. milky, creamy, sometimes fruity
- Terpenes — i.e. pungent smells ranging from citrusy to cheesy to skunky
- Sulfur & Nitrogen Compounds — i.e. rotten eggs and ammonia
Chemical composition of mould volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) varies by mould species and growth stage. Consequently, the mold’s smell may vary from time to time, making a definitive diagnosis difficult.
Here are some clues that mold may be the cause of that odd odor you’ve been detecting at home.
What does the smell of mold remind you of?
The majority of people describe the odor of mold as musty, stale, and earthy, which is somewhat comparable to the smell of decaying wood or wet socks.
There is a wide range of mold smells, but the following are some of the most typical characteristics:
- Musty and Stale — like old socks or a stuffy attic that hasn’t been aired out in months
- Earthy — like a dense forest, rotting wood, or the dirt underneath decaying leaves
- Damp — like wet dog fur or a dank locker room
- Rotting or Fermenting — like aging cheese, decaying fruit or fermenting alcohol
- Sour and Tangy — like armpit odor after a vigorous jog
Need Help with Mold in Hamilton?
Call the mold specialist Caspi Service Team to follow the right procedure to remove mold in your houses. We do free inspections. We serve areas: Hamilton/Burlington/Oakville/Niagara Falls/St.Catharines
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you think there might be mold in your home, apartment, or other building. Even if you eventually intend to inspect or remove the mold on your own, we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have and offer our professional advice.
