Damp smell but no mould

lucystardust

In my bedroom there is a damp smell coming from where the bed and bedside drawers meet the wall, but there's no mould/mildew there. When I first noticed the smell I pulled the bed and drawers away from the wall and opened the windows to let it ventilate, which stopped the smell. But as soon as I put them back against the wall the smell came back. Now I keep the window open all day long, and spray febreeze down the gap - is there anything else I can do? I make sure I don't dry any clothes in that room to keep moisture levels down, but the smell is still strong. Moving the bed isn't an option because that's the only place in the room to put it.

abankerbutnotafatcat

Hi, it's caused by air not being able to circulate, we get it too. You did all the right things in pulling the furniture away from the wall and letting fresh air in. Are you able to keep the furniture slightly away from the wall (may not have to be much)? Depending on the type of wall a vent in it will help too as may use of a dehumidifier especially in winter when you wont want to keep windows open.

davehills

As abanker says above.

Is the wall an outside one? Do you get a build up of condensation on this wall at all? Might be moisture from the bathroom or kitchen which is condensing on the wall?

There's also the possibility that it's the carpet and the smell only becomes apparent when you lay down?

lucystardust

Thanks for your suggestions, it def seems like it's excess moisture in the air because the carpet is only 2 years old.

HelenDaveKids

Have you considered trying a dehumidifier?

We had a problem in one of our bedrooms but walls did go damp when bed was pushed up to wall, and a dehumidifier really helped. Also put in a trickle vent into double glazing unit.

maninthestreet

What has the age of the carpet to do with excess moisture in the air??

iamcornholio

The smell is mould spores floating about, so there is a ventilation and local condensation issue somewhere

Mould loves the chipboard or mdf backing to furniture units

BargainGalore

Mould spores are all around us they love damp dark places. You can remove mould easily with little damage to furniture walls etc if caught early. If left it could cause more harm and also to your health. Ventilate where possible or invest in a dehumidifier as suggested sounds like condensation