Basement Odor Removal

When it comes to the way your basement smells, you need to do two things.

First off, you need to remove anything within your home that is causing it to smell poorly. Then, you need to learn to control the odor.

Don't feel bad about this situation as it happens to virtually all homeowners. Something that smells "off" needs to be cleaned and removed.

Luckily, there are some common things that do cause this that you can easily remove basement odors. Take some time to find the solution to your problems by following these tips below.

Musty Smells

Basements are one of the most common odor producers in the home. There are plenty of things that can cause odor in this location. Here are some things to consider about your basement odor protection.

Dry It Out

One of the most common problems with the basement is the amount of moisture located there. You need to keep the basement area dry. Even before you start cleaning, get the humidity down. To do this, use dehumidifiers and air out the location by opening windows. If there are water stains or leaks, you must get these taken care of before they damage the home's foundation.

Get Rid Of Mold And Mildew

To fight off mildew and mold, make a solution that is half a cup of bleach to a gallon of hot water. You can then put it into a spray bottle and work your way around cleaning up the area. Keep the windows open and work your way around with this disinfectant.

You can use this on cement, walls, floors, bathrooms, laundry areas and other locations that will not have a reaction to the bleach.

After you do the walls of your basement, tackle the floor. Use one cup of borax cleaner to one gallon of water. Apply it with a sponge and scrub. You can use a wet vacuum if you would like.

Cleaning Basement Carpeting

This is a common problem. If your basement is humid or has moisture control problems, no carpet will even be a good choice.

You should really consider getting rid of it. If you don’t, then you need to wash it well. Mix a cup of cornmeal with one cup of baking soda and sprinkle it onto the carpet. Allow this to sit for at least an hour and then vacuum it up. Do not do this if your carpeting is wet.

Mildew Odor

Mildew or mold is probably your problem with smell.

If this is the case and you find it, you can use vinegar or bleach on the area.

They will effectively get rid of the mildew or mold. Make sure you scrub the area well and then dry it after you are done. Getting rid of the moisture will help to solve this problem as well.

Now, once you basement is nice and clean, you can do these same things for any other area of your home that may just be causing the smell. Below, you will find some great ways to keep your home smelling great after you have gotten it clean.

Keep The Odor From Coming Back

Want to keep those odors at bay? There are plenty of things that you can do to make sure that the odors that you had are gone for good. Here are some tips to think about.

• Keep the home adequately ventilated. Air needs to flow through the home to allow for it to be kept clean. To make sure this happens, have your air ducts cleaned and also have your ventilation system checked yearly.
• Control the humidity. The biggest odor causing problem in homes is that of mildew and mold. Use ventilation, windows, dehumidifiers and effective means for keeping water out to keep the level of humidity down.
• Clean your dryer vent outdoors and follow it down into the home.
• Make sure your basement is waterproof. A small leak can cause a tremendous amount of moisture and cause the other side of the home to smell bad.
• Keep the home clean. Get the garbage out of the house quickly; keep the floors clean and pills cleaned up. Take care of those places that people like to avoid like the basement and the garage. Use products that will eliminate mold and mildew from your home.
• If you suspect that your foundation or the beams in your home have gotten wet or damaged, have a professional come out and make sure. Weakened structures are not safe and will cause you to become injured and cause odor in the home.
• You can invest in deodorizers and air fresheners if you like. But, it is by far more important to get the smells in your home out before they worsen instead of masking them.