Musty odors and kitchen cabinets don’t pair well with them, particularly when dishes and dry products stored inside the cabinets pick up a few of the unappetizing aroma. Remove all items from the cabinets so that you may provide them a thorough cleaning and deodorizing treatment; you may have to wash the dinnerware also. If musty odors keep cropping up in your own kitchen cabinets, there may be a moisture problem in the space too.

Empty Inspection

Remove everything from the musty cabinets, such as any paper or liners layer the shelves and walls, to ascertain the origin of the musty odor. If the cabinets came from a salvage yard or someplace beyond your home, it may just be that they have been stored in a damp, dark place for a while. Shine a flashlight inside each cabinet, searching for rotten or wet wood. If the cabinets are not out of your house and they’re waterlogged or rotten, you may want to discard them.

Air Out the Odors

New, dry air helps eliminate the moisture partly accountable for musty odors. If the cabinets came from outside your house, set them outside in a sunny place during non-humid states to completely dry out them; it may take several days. Within your own house, a musty odor may mean it is too humid indoors. Run a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to eliminate dampness, or open the windows and turn on fans. Mustiness usually does not occur immediately, so open the kitchen windows or dehumidify the space on a regular basis to keep the air clean. In addition, it is likely a leak behind the cabinets brought moisture and mustiness; should you become aware of wet wood and no potential source of moisture aside from pipes, then call a professional plumber to estimate the circumstance.

Wash Off Your (Odor) Troubles

Should you find any small spots within the cabinet, these may be mold or mildew. Vacuum the spots away with an upholstery brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner. Wear a dust mask to prevent breathing in the seams, and replace the vacuum cleaner filter afterwards. Wash the whole inside and outside area of each cabinet with a couple of squirts of a mild dish soap combined into a bucket of warm water, using a soft cloth or sponge to wipe the cabinets down after wringing out most of the moisture. Wipe the cabinet surfaces down again with a cloth dipped in equal parts vinegar and water to help eliminate odors and soap residue. Keep the cabinet doors open and run a fan or dehumidifier to help prevent them out completely.

Tackle Lingering Odors

If the cabinets still smell a little after washing them inside and outside, place cups of vinegar within immediately to help eliminate the scent. Additional bowls of coffee beans or baking soda also help absorb the odors; these may be left in place for a couple of weeks. Wash all of the items that belong in each cabinet to eliminate lingering odors from them; dry products like food and seasoning bundles that smell musty should be discarded.

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