Cleaning a Musty Basement

When a basement becomes musty, it is time to clean it out. Mustiness comes from dust, mold, dampness, and rust. It can feel uncomfortable and is not healthy. Cleaning out a musty basement is the only way to remove odors and feelings of dirt in the air. Begin by removing everything from the basement. Depending on how big the basement is, it could take a few days. Throw away everything that is no longer needed. Unfortunately, many basements become dumping grounds for unwanted items. Musty basements contain many items that should be thrown away.

After all unwanted items have been discarded, it is time to clean and repaint the basement if necessary. Musty basements can be refreshed with a coat of paint. Clean all the walls and make sure all mold is gone. Use bleach and other cleaning agents where needed. The mustiness will begin to disappear. Musty basements need to be cleaned every few years. Paint the walls with a coat or two of paint. Use a water sealant on the bottom of the walls to keep water out. This will also help when cleaning a musty basement. Afterwards, clean the carpeting or wash the tiles. Musty basements are often musty because carpets absorb odors. Put everything back and use an air freshener daily.

A musty basement will become a thing of the past. To keep the moisture level low, use a dehumidifier. This will keep mold from growing. Use the space as a game room, laundry area, or sitting room. Musty basements once they are cleaned can be wonderful places to entertain. Keep the basement clean and do not store unwanted items in the basement. This will only cause the musty basement to return. Throw away or donate all unwanted items every six months to keep them from piling up.