How to Get Rid of the Damp Basement Smell

No one likes to have that damp basement smell in their house. It’s objectionable and usually means there’s a problem under the foundation with water. Eliminating the problem is a different matter, but there are steps you can take to get rid of the damp basement smell.

Step 1 - Gutters and Downspouts

Clogged gutters and downspouts can contribute to the damp basement smell. They need to be cleaned out at least once a year. As the smell can come from an accumulation of water under and around the foundation, consider putting extenders on the downspouts to conduct water farther away from the house.

Step 2 - Cleaning

Clean out the basement and throw away all items that can help contribute to a damp basement smell. This will include newspapers and cardboard. Where there’s damp in the air this can quickly turn to mold and mildew in items like this. The same can apply to old upholstered furniture.

By giving the basement a complete cleaning and using soap, water and bleach on the surfaces you’ll take away the possibility of mold and mildew and your basement will smell a great deal better. On top of that, you’ll have thrown away plenty of accumulated junk.

Step 3 - Absorbing Odors

To stop the damp basement smell lingering, you want to be able to remove the odors from the air. There are several simple methods to achieve this. Take a few old coffee cans and place some charcoal briquettes in them. Charcoal is famous for its absorbent qualities, and it will soak up the damp basement smell very quickly and leave the air much cleaner as well as take in a great deal of the dampness. You’ll need to replace the briquettes monthly.

Cat littler also absorbs smells very well. Put down a tray of clean cat litter in the basement to take out that damp basement smell. Replace the litter every 2 weeks. One more item that does an excellent job of removing odors is baking soda—that’s why many people keep it in the refrigerators. Open a box of baking soda and leave it in the basement to take away the damp basement smell. Replace every 3 months.

Step 4 - Keeping It Fresh

Having eliminated the damp basement smell, you don’t want it to return. The odor eliminators will help, but there are other measures you can take. Good ventilation helps. If you have windows in the basement, open them on dry days to allow air to flow in and out.

The job of a dehumidifier is to remove moisture from the air. Having one running in the basement will keep the damp basement smell at bay. It will also help prevent any mold or mildew starting. An ionizer releases ions that take out bad smells in the air and leave it smelling pleasant. Invest in one for the basement to keep it smelling good. Like a dehumidifier, it’s cheap to run.