How to Eliminate Basement Odor
- 1). Find the cause of odor in the basement. Mold and mildew from a wet basement is the most likely a factor in a musty-smelling basement. Look for leaky pipes, cracks in concrete, excess humidity, as well as water leaking inside the basement during rain.
- 2). Fix any water problems in the basement that are causing water leakage. Call a professional to fix cracks in concrete or leaky pipes. Getting rid of basement odors is impossible until these problems are corrected.
- 3). Remove items from the basement that are wet or damaged with mold or mildew and cannot be wiped clean. Porous items should be removed from the basement and cleaned or thrown out. Carpets that are damp should be removed.
- 4). Scrub the walls, floors, and hard, non-porous surfaces with a mixture of 50 percent bleach and 50 percent water. Use a brush to scrub away any mold or mildew. Ventilate the area well when working with bleach.
- 5). Install a dehumidifier to keep down on excess humidity. This will help to eliminate future problems with mold and mildew buildup. Less humidity will translate into less odor.
- 6). Pour charcoal in several plastic tubs and keep in the basement. Charcoal is very effective in absorbing odors.
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