Does your home smell musty? Yuck. That odor isn't just gross; the mold causing it can be harmful to your health. A musty smell often signals a bigger issue you need to address. Here is how to fix it.

Usually a musty smell is caused by mold or mildew. Tiny fungus spores float through the air of your home, looking for a dark and damp place to settle and proliferate. Your first task is to find the source of the smell—look in places that have moisture, such as leaking pipes under a sink, or a dripping air conditioner.

Once you find the source of the mold or mildew, you need to clean it up carefully and thoroughly. Get rid of any paper items that are covered in the fungus. Any fabric items, wash them in hot water, with bleach if possible. Clean walls, ceilings and floors, with a mixture of one part bleach to three parts water.

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Dry out the area. Open windows if you can, or bring in fans. If the problem is a perpetually damp basement, for example, you may need to invest in a dehumidifier that will collect moisture from the air and reduce the chance of it collecting on walls where it might develop mold.

Next, you need to fix the problem that caused the mold or mildew. If a leaky pipe was to blame, DIY it or call in a pro. If a window needs to be caulked, get it done. If you ignore the source of the leak, you’ll be back in the same boat before long.

Even after all these steps, a musty smell may still linger in your home. Set out bowls of baking soda, activated charcoal or white vinegar to absorb the stink. You could also try a commercial product such as DampRid.

Once the leaks are fixed, the fungus is cleaned up and the odor is gone, remain diligent. Check potential trouble areas frequently to ensure no additional leaks have developed. If you’ve installed dehumidifiers, be sure to empty them regularly.