• Remove mildew smells in the bathroom and other rooms with home remedies.bathroom image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com
  
  The musty, stale smell of mildew is typically associated with the presence of mold or mildew in the home. The first line of defense against mildew odor is to ensure there are no traces of mildew or mold in the home. Once mold and mildew are removed, you can take steps to rid the home of the smell, as well. While there are many commercial products available to freshen and deodorize the home, home remedies work efficiently to remove mildew smell without the cost or chemical exposure.
  
  

Vinegar

• White vinegar is a natural deodorizer that effectively removes mildew odor, while also killing any tiny mildew spores that are present in your home. Vinegar can be used in a variety of ways to remove mildew odors. Pouring undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spritzing it in a room or area as you would an air freshener is one way to remove mildew smells. Another method by which to remove mildew smells with vinegar is to pour vinegar into a bowl and set it in the room to effectively remove mildew and other odors for a few days. Severe mildew smells can be tackled by boiling 1 or 2 cups of vinegar on the stove and allowing the scent to waft through the room. If you are concerned about the smell of vinegar, keep in mind that it dissipates within an hour or less when spritzed or boiled.
  
  

Baking Soda

• Baking soda removes the smell of mildew by absorbing the odors from the surrounding air. This natural substance is commonly used to remove food smells from refrigerators, but it works effectively in any room. Place baking soda in bowls and set the bowls in rooms affected by mildew odor. Sprinkle baking soda over carpet and upholstery and allow it to sit overnight. Vacuum the next morning to remove the baking soda and the mildew odors absorbed by it. If the source of the mildew smell is the bathtub, drain or sink, dampen the surface or pour water down the drain, then follow by sprinkling baking soda over the surface or into the drain and allowing it to sit for 20 minutes. Rinse baking soda down the drain and scrub bathtub or sink surfaces before rinsing.
  
  

Bleach

• Regular household bleach kills mildew and removes the associated odor. It is available in powdered form for use in basements or crawl spaces. If you're using liquid bleach, dilute it in a solution of 1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Bleach is a strong remover of mildew smells, but you must use it with care and caution. Wear rubber gloves so the bleach doesn't dry out or irritate your skin. Open windows to circulate fresh air and make sure pets and small children are supervised or out of the room altogether. When using bleach to remove mildew odors, always rinse with plain water afterward.