About Musty Basement Odor

Basements are a part of the house, but many are relegated to storage and utility functions because of a musty odor. There are different reasons for this odor and different ways to treat it as well. Your basement should be as clean and inviting as the rest of your home, and eliminating that odor is an important step.

Where the Odor Comes From

The musty odor in a basement can come from lack of fresh air or from moisture. These two often produce different smells, and often basements have a combination of both. If the basement is hardly ever used then the air isn't circulating as it is in other parts of the house. Moisture can cause a moldy mildew smell that will not go away with a simple airing out.

How to Treat Moisture Odor

If moisture is a problem in your basement, the first thing to do is clean. This way you can find out if the moisture is coming from a leak of some sort, or is just airborne. Being under the ground makes the air in a basement moist, and can lead to the odor, but if there is a leak somewhere it multiplies the odor as well as the formation of mold and mildew.If you find a leak when you clean out the basement, get it fixed right away.

To clean out the mildew and mold spores that cause the smell, you will need to wash everything down with an antibacterial cleanser or a bleach. This includes furnishings as well as the walls and floors.

Install a dehumidifier to pull the moisture from the air, and place a few saucers filled with a lemon juice and baking soda paste around the basement. This paste absorbs odors and leaves a lemony scent in the air.

How to Circulate Air

For general unused mustiness, again start with cleaning. Dust everything well and wash the floors and walls. Open windows and doors to the basement and increase traffic to the area. A ceiling fan kept on low will keep the air circulating and help alleviate the stale musty odor. Baking soda is a good option for absorbing musty odors without adding overpowering scents to the area.
Depending on how bad the odor is, it may take a few days to eliminate the smell.

Using the Basement

To keep the musty smell away, use the basement. The more there are people in and out the better the air circulation. Also the more you use the basement you will become aware of moisture and leaks, even certain areas where the mustiness seems to originate. This will help you stop the smells before they overpower the area again. Keep the basement dusted and clean just as you do the rest of the house.

Caution

Mold and mildew as well as dust can cause allergic reactions and other health problems if left unchecked. Make sure to address these problems and clean them up right away. Also be careful when using bleach to clean in the basement. Do not mix it with other cleansers. You don't want to make yourself sick in the process of making the basement usable. Many people use air purifiers as well, to help remove allergens from the basement and attic areas.