If you have an unpleasant smell in your basement (whether it is finished or not), the most likely cause of that smell is mold and mildew that could be growing anywhere, even on or under your carpet. Before we explain what to do when you have a moldy smell in basement, here are possible reasons.
Why do I have mold and mildew in my basement?
Dark, damp, humid places are the perfect places for mold and mildew to grow. Many basements fit these conditions, even finished ones. In order to remove the smell, you will first have to kill the fungus.
How to Kill Fungus
1. Mix one gallon of cool water and one cup of oxygen bleach (you can also use chlorine bleach, but it may damage or discolor surfaces).
2. Take a scrub brush and use the water and bleach mixture to scrub all of the walls, floors, carpets and other surfaces in your basement.
3. Wait fifteen minutes.
4. Rinse everything clean with cool water.
Even though you have now killed the mold and mildew, the odor will still remain. You will have to take more steps to remove the odor.
How to Remove the Smell
– One way to get rid of the odor from your basement is to open a few boxes of baking soda in your basement and replace them with new boxes every thirty days. The baking soda will absorb the smell and you remove the odor without using any chemicals.
– Another option is to put bowls filled with undiluted white vinegar in your basement. The vinegar will get rid of the smell and kill any remaining fungus on floor as it dries.
– You can also open all the doors and windows in your basement and turn on fans in order to blow the unpleasant odor out of your basement and bring in clean, fresh air.
If your basement is finished, it may be more difficult to get the mold and mildew out of the carpet and you may want to hire a professional carpet cleaner to kill the fungus and remove the smell. With the help of TalkLocal, you can be on the phone in minutes with up to three high quality carpet cleaning professionals in your area that are available when you are.
Fungus reproduces into spores that come in many different sizes, shapes and colors. The spores will reproduce and germinate into new mold growth which in turn can produce millions of more spores. Molds are most prevalent from spring through late fall, but, in warm climates, molds thrive all year and can cause year-round breathing problems. Do not ignore: nice post!
Thank you! And thanks for the extra info 🙂