Removing basement odor: 13 methods against musty odor

Most of the time you notice it when you open the door to the basement. It smells bad. After mold, earth or putrefaction. You can find out how to get rid of the basement smell successfully here.

How does a cellar smell?

Everyone perceives smells differently. However, when the door to the basement is open, it is often noticed throughout the house. This is because the basement develops a typical smell. This particularly applies to old, damp, uninsulated natural cellars. They smell after

• Humidity,
• Mould,
• damp plaster,
• modern wood or
• Earth.

Note: If food is stored in it, it can also smell foul.

Where does the musty smell come from?

This characteristic smell develops due to moisture in the basement, which cannot be removed. It ensures that fungi develop. Including wood-decomposing mushrooms and molds. Putrid smells can arise from spoiled food, but sometimes also from

dead animalsthat got into the basement.

Find the cause

When the basement is mostly unused, it is easier to determine the causes of the odors. Strong lighting is required for this, possibly a flashlight. Then all floors, walls and ceilings are examined, especially for mold spots or flaking plaster. You should also be on the lookout for decomposing animals. Rising damp can be recognized by dark spots on the floor. It is just as important to examine all wooden parts installed. Not only because of the moisture, but also because pests like to nestle in damp wood.

Note: If fungal plexuses or even the fruiting bodies of mushrooms are visible, a specialist should definitely be called in. It can be dangerous building pests.

Basement as a storage room

The cause of the musty smell can be more difficult to find if the basement is used as a storage room. Then not only the walls and ceilings have to be examined, but also the things stored. This means that the first thing to do is to completely clear the basement. Upholstered furniture and clothing are particularly at risk.

Methods against cellar odor

In the following we have put together some tips & tricks with which you can counteract or reduce the musty smell in the basement. ideally already be able to prevent it.

• Remove all furniture, objects and, above all, clothing that are not required from the cellar. The emptier the cellar, the better the air can circulate.
• Throw away moldy things.
• If the cellar is used as a storage room, clear everything out and then ventilate it thoroughly. On this occasion Remove cardboard boxes and replace it with other more suitable storage options.
• Find and eliminate damaged areas in the basement. Remove loose plaster and freshly plaster it, renovate damp areas or call in a specialist.
• Mould with appropriate means remove.
• Helps with natural cellars lime. Either apply a purchased lime paint or mix the paint yourself. It not only neutralizes the cellar smell, it also helps regulate moisture and prevents mold growth.
• As possible little wood in the basementto use. Treat all necessary wooden components with wood preservatives. Use metal or plastic as an alternative to wood. Metal can rust, but not mold.
• The cellar smell preferentially sits in clothing away. This before wearing to wash and best air dry permit. Otherwise you will not get rid of the smell. Just airing out is not enough.
• Even Upholstered furniture are susceptible to the cellar smell. Therefore it is better not to store it in the basement at all. Is that inevitable, furniture wrap in thick foil and keep dry. Thoroughly clean or have cleaned before reuse.
• When cleaning the basement don't use too much water, since moisture is generally difficult to pull off.
• After every damp cleaning the Let the cellar dry out thoroughly. Set up dehumidifiers in basements where not much moisture can penetrate from the outside.
• One of the most important methods is regular extensive ventilation of the basement. To do this, open all windows and doors on a dry, warm day and keep them open. So that no animals find their way into the cellar, Secure cellar windows with insect screens.
• if Household items must be stored in the basement, this do not stand directly against the wallsalways leave enough space for ventilation. For this reason the Do not overcrowd roomsLeave the doors open if possible to improve air circulation. Windows must always be accessible for ventilation.

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