How to Get Rid of Musty Smells in Your Basement: 9 Tips

Musty basement smells are unpleasant and uninviting, made worse by the fact that the odor’s source is often challenging to locate. Fortunately, there are several common culprits of damp, musty basement smells, most notably mold and mildew caused by excess moisture.

Fortunately, with a little time and attention, you can identify the source of the musty odor learn how to get rid of musty smells in your basement.

Identify the Source

The most common cause of musty basement smells is mold or mildew from excess moisture. Take a look at your windows and exterior doors and see if you notice any condensation or even some dark spots indicating a mold cluster. You should also check any sinks, showers, drains, toilets, and other places where water is present. If you don’t see any obvious signs of moisture, there may be a leak in your walls or from a window or door on the main floor of your home.

Sources of musty smells include:

• Mold spores and mildew growth
• Leaks in plumbing
• Cracks in window frames or exterior doorways
• Drains
• Poor ventilation
• Standing groundwater
• Dust, dirt, and debris
• Pet odors in upholstery

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Repair Leaks and Cracks

If you notice any condensation collecting on your window panes, door frames, under-the-sink plumbing, or elsewhere in your basement, you’ve likely identified the cause of your musty basement smell. The next step is to address the leak, crack, or gap that is creating excess moisture.

You may need to fix window seals or install weather stripping on your exterior doors to ensure that they’re watertight. You might also call in a plumber to inspect your pipes for potential leaks, especially since these issues can create larger problems over time when left undetected.

Clean Your Carpets and Upholstery

Although mold spores and mildew growth are the typical cause of musty basement smells, pet dander on your furniture and carpets can also create unpleasant odors in your home.

Be sure to vacuum often and deep clean your carpets and area rugs to eliminate the smells. Rent or purchase an upholstery cleaner to tackle odors trapped in your furniture fabrics as well.

Deep Clean and Declutter

Like pet dander, dust, dirt, and debris can collect under cabinets, behind doors, and in corners on the floor, producing foul smells in your basement. Keeping your home clean is one way to prevent a wide range of odors, including musty basement smells.

Sweep up dirt and debris once a week, the mop your floors afterwards. Dust often as well, paying close attention to areas that go unnoticed, such as the tops of cabinets and the space around decor.

Kill the Mold and Mildew

As mentioned previously, mold spores and mildew growth are the most common cause of musty basement smells. While it’s important that you tackle the root cause of excess moisture, mold and mildew will continue to grow if left alone.

There are multiple methods for removing mold in your basement, but it ultimately depends on the surface where mold is growing. For most surfaces, you can use a diluted bleach solution or a DIY vinegar spray to kill mold.

Absorb the Musty Odors

Even after you’ve taken steps to address the cause of your musty basement smell, there may still be a lingering odor in your home. There are multiple steps you can take to absorb the musty smells, many of which are fairly simple.

For instance, baking soda is a common and versatile household cleaner, but you can also use it as a natural deodorizer. Place a few bowls with baking soda throughout your basement and leave them for a few days to sit and absorb the musty smell.

Buy a Dehumidifier

Another way to reduce the moisture level in your basement is with a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are designed to pull moisture from the air, convert it to water, and deposit it into a removable tank. Purchase a small dehumidifier (or more, depending on the size of your basement) and leave it running to reduce the humidity level in your basement.

Let in Natural Light and Fresh Air

Lack of light and ventilation can exacerbate issues like mildew growth and musty basement smells. Use a fan to improve the air flow in your basement and help tackle both humidity levels and foul odors.

Additionally, research has shown that the UV properties in sunlight can kill mold and mildew. Since basements typically don’t get a lot of natural light, it makes sense that the area could become a breeding ground for mold spores. If possible, install some windows in your basement or use artificial lighting to bring more light into your space.

Check Often for Issues

For many homes, the basement is visited far less often than other areas like kitchens and bedrooms. However, to keep the musty smells at bay, and especially mold and mildew, it’s important to check your basement often for potential sources of moisture.

Scan your windows, doorways, under-the-sink plumbing, and more on a regular basis. If you notice any mold or mildew, address the issue immediately to prevent growth.