How do you get rid of a bad mildew smell?

You can try using vinegar and water and if you want it to have a scent just put a few drops of your favorite fragrance. The vinegar should keep the bacteria and not make it smell like that.

More than likely water has seeped into the sub floor and causing the smell. because of bacteria growth you now have a smell. If possible look under the flooring such as carpeting or linolium. If the smell is really strong in a specfic area but is dry you may have to replace certain parts of the sub floor.

One thing to try is purchasing a chemical such a sani gard or a live enzyme liquid. These chemicals can help get rid of the smell and eat away at the bacteria and discontinue growth.

Good luck

Open all the windows so the room can get fresh air, and sit around some saucers of ammonia, it really helps. Also take a space heater and put it near the closet to dry up the access water. Don't put the heater near the ammonia. Hope this helps, it should! :) Arum

Dunno if you can but bleach and some killz should do the trick if the water molded the walls.

if it is in the carpet, I am not really sure how to handle it.

For the walls, I would wipe them down with a bleach water solution. That will kill the mold (could be deadly if left untreated). THe killz will seal the paint and rid you of the smell.

Lysol disinfect household cleaner . spray it around. May also want to get something to prevent mold or control mildew.

Febreeze always works for me. dont know if it can help here