Strange smell in Closet?

Question

We recently bought a 50 year old house. One of the closets has a strange odor-exactly like dirty hamster bedding (my mother agreed, so it isn't just me). There is an access panel in the closet to get to the insulation, but we took it out and didn't find anything. I have had baking soda in the closet for a month now and it hasn't helped. We really need to be able to use this space, but it is so strong I am afraid putting anything in it will soak up the smell.

Anyone know what this is or how to get rid of it?

Answer 1

The smell of dirty hamster bedding could come from the previous owners using cedar blocks to protect from moths.  That smell could be combined with urine from either mouse/rat/ or even squirrels behind the walls.

I know that when my home was flooded when I was a kid, my parents used both baking soda and charcoal (plain kind, not with lighter fluid already in it, obviously) and had both laid out in aluminum disposable pie tins throughout the house to remove the smell of dirt, sludge, etc....  It must have worked because I don't remember my house smelling dirty/moldy after we could move back in.

You might want to:

1. change the insulation in the access panel...maybe that has absorbed the nasty odors and make sure it is sealed tightly enough so there are no gaps (mice/rats can squeeze into the tiniest places! ) and maybe set traps behind the access panel just in case.  If you opened it up and saw like saw dust or gaps in insulation/tiny shredded pieces that may mean rodents!

2. Put out a lot of charcoal through out the closet

3. Maybe try to the combo of baking soda and charcoal and make sure you change them frequently because I imagine they can only soak up so much smell before the are "full" of the scent.

4.  You may want to change the access panel because the wood (am assuming that is what it's made of) may have also soaked up the scent.

Answer 2

Yep vinegar should do the trick! My mum had the same problem in one of her old cupboards she couldn't throw away. I didn't believe her but when I went there, it was odorless. It use to make the whole room have that musty smell. Give it a go!!

Answer 3

You could reline all the interior walls of the closet with aromatic cedar..not just any cedar but aromatic..quite expensive..but It should do it..

http://www.cedarsafeclosets.com/index.cf...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007STEE8?smid...

Answer 4

If it smells like dirty hamster bedding, then it's probably urine of some kind.  If it's carpeted, take up the carpet and wash the floors with vinegar.  If the smell seems to come from the attic beyond the panel, it's likely some varmint got in there at some point or other and fouled the space.  In that case you're going to have to have the insulation replaced and inspect the area for signs of current infestation.

Answer 5

The people who lived before me, had 5 dogs living inside the house !!! so it smells terrible when you have a wooden floor.

I have removed the orignial carpet, and washed the floor with marseille soap (liquid) after, rinced with white vinegar. but by long rainy days , the smell comes back (lighlty) but if this is only in your closet, put a big dish on the floor (inside the closet in the corner) fill it up with dried orange peel, lemon peel and cinammon stick. You can add once in a while pot pourrit mix. You can also buy lavender essensis (small bottle) and wet a band of fabric that you hang on the side of the closet or stick it on the corner. go easy with the lavender. it is also good to scare away the moth ! and mosquitos.

if you have a dog or a cat, this pet can help you find if there is a dead animal under, behind or above the closet.. you dog might look crazy trying to scratch your floor with is nail, and your cat will turn around or miew inside the closet... that will tell you that a mouse or small animal is dead somewhere... hopefully this is not more than this... good luck