5 Eco-Friendly Ways to Get Rid of that Damp Basement Smell

The damp basement smell, which is caused by mold and mildew, is a horrible thing. You can get rid of it without resorting to chemicals, however.

Clean It Out

Clean everything out of the basement and into the backyard. This is quite a job, but you’ll get rid of old carpet and cardboard that’s contributing to the damp basement smell. Not only does it accomplish that, but it also gives you blank surfaces you can clean.

Vinegar

Vinegar will get rid of most mold and mildew, and the scent will clear in just a few minutes. You can pour it on areas with heavy mold buildup and then scrub hard to remove most of the traces.

Lemon Juice

Mix lemon juice with water for a strong and sweet cleaning solution. It can tackle many forms of mold, but will also clean unaffected areas and take out the damp basement smell, replacing it with a natural lemon scent.

Baking Soda

Spreading baking soda over an affected area will soak up the damp basement smell. Be aware, though, that you’ll still need to clean the area.

Soap And Water

Finishing up by cleaning with a good natural soap and water will remove the last remnants of the mold, which will take away the damp basement smell permanently.