Musty smell in 2 bedrooms

[TreeBlindMice]

I live in a semi detached, and the 2 bedrooms are next to the shared wall.

Both have a musty smell, one worse than the other

The worst one has a built in wardrobe that developed mould along the wall... which I cleaned off with mould cleaner, and it hasn't returned

But ... I can't get rid of the musty smell. I've noticed that even clothes not stored in the wardrobe have a faint musty smell, it's driving me mad.

A couple of questions

1. Is a the smell a sign that something is wrong or damp

2 any idea how to get rid?

I am generous with heating and the house is well ventilated and I don't leave wet clothes around etc

It sounds like the wardrobe will need to come out

Sounds like damp. Is there a chimney breast on the shared wall? Or something else on the roof which would make a slow leak possible? Can you get into the loft and look at the shared wall up there?

Thanks both for replying

The built in wardrobe had 'no back' meaning the back is the wall itself if that makes sense.. so hopefully won't have to come out

Yes there is a chimney Breast... I hope the issue was three was a leak a couple of years ago now fixed... but I can't get rid of the smell despite apparently no more leaks or dampness

What's the age of the house? Is the mustiness on the inside wall? Could you speak to your neighbour and ask if they have a similar problem on their wall too? It might help to identify the issue.

Thanks @637Niv the house is 120 years old... lived in it 10 years no issues the about 3 years ago there was a roof leek which got resolved.., no more mould or damp. Just the smell!!!

Is it possible for the smell to persist without anything new causing it!

We had a water leak into our airing cupboard ( from a crap plumber's work) and despite fixing it and drying it out as best I could and leaving the door open, the cupboard still smelled musty after the damp surely must have dried out. So bad, I couldn't put the linen back in it. I hate smelly candles and the like, but needs must, so I put a neutradol gel air freshener on the floor in cupboard. And within a few days the horrible musty smell was gone, and I could use it again.

Thanks @Noseyoldcow Wii try that out

I know this is an old thread .... but months later post summer the musty smell remains...

There is definitely no damp remaining as it was an old leak long fixed now, all smell treatments as described on the thread have not worked

I'm thinking of stripping the wall paper (even though it is now completely dry wallpaper) and repainting

Anyone got any thoughts on if this would work?

Smell is driving me mad!

The smell is probably held in the paper. Definitely strip!