What Does Black Mold Smell Like?

Mold certainly does not have a pleasant smell. Black mold has a very distinct and strong smell. It will usually smell very musty and wet and can even smell a little bit like urine or dirty socks. Some people describe the smell as a “basement smell,” or a “stale air” smell. Just because you smell mold, though, it does not mean it is toxic because most molds will smell very musty.

Chances are pretty high that you will be able to smell the mold before you actually see it. If you suspect that you may be smelling black mold, contact a professional immediately as it could be very toxic to your health.