Struggling with musty odors in your basement? You’re not alone!
Basements are notorious for retaining unpleasant smells, but don’t worry—we’ve got nine effective methods for a cleaner, more inviting basement.
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What Causes the Basement Smell?
Basements smell for several reasons. The main cause of the typical musty basement odor is excess moisture, which leads to mold and mildew growth.
Since basements are usually below ground, they are surrounded by damp earth. Over time, some moisture seeps in, regardless of construction quality.
This moisture problem exists in all climates but is worse in wet, humid areas. Additionally, basements often have poor ventilation due to low usage.
How Do You Deodorize a Basement?
The best way to make basements smell better are as follows:
- Improve Ventilation
- Reduce Humidity
- Make Any Necessary Repairs
- Deep Cleaning
- Abate Mold & Mildew
- Check Dryer Vent
- Pest Control
- Waterproof Basement
- Install Sump Pump
Many basement smell issues will require a combination of these strategies. Let’s discuss each further below.
1. Improve Ventilation
Improving ventilation is an easy and inexpensive way to start.

Better airflow can help reduce the smell. The goal is to lower humidity and bring in fresh air.
Simply opening a few windows or doors can improve ventilation. Make sure any open windows have high-quality screens to keep out bugs and pests.
Open windows on hot, dry days or leave some windows open to promote air flow throughout the basement.
Additional ventilation options include plug-in fans or installing a ventilation system.
You might also need to service your HVAC system or change the furnace filter to improve airflow.
2. Reduce Humidity
Reducing humidity goes beyond improving airflow. It requires specific tools and removing sources of unwanted water.
Humidity tools include over-the-counter absorbers found in home improvement stores. These devices pull moisture from the air to lower local humidity.
Mechanical dehumidifiers are another option. However, no absorber can handle a constant water source.
Therefore, controlling humidity also means eliminating unnecessary moisture sources.
This can involve minor repairs, such as removing a fish tank, cleaning spills promptly, pest removal, tightening pipe fittings, or hang-drying clothes elsewhere.
3. Make any Necessary Repairs
Sometimes, the source of moisture in your basement is not an easy fix.
Water that routinely pools alongside foundations, bad leaks in foundations or plumbing, or seasonal flooding all lead to high basement humidity and musty odor.

Take a thorough look at the source of moisture and take steps to remove the problem.
For simple issues like plumbing leaks and small water pools, you can often perform the fix yourself. However, more difficult fixes require hiring a contractor.
If you have a cracked foundation wall, for instance, it is wise to hire someone with the know-how to perform a fix that will last a long time and look good.
4. Deep Cleaning
The bad smell in the basement can come from a buildup of dirt and grime. Most of the time, basements only get a seasonal cleaning so dirt tend to huild up.
For minor smells, regular cleaning, starting with a deep clean, can make a significant difference. Dirt and grime provide places for mold and mildew to grow.
For persistent odors, combine cleaning with other methods on this list. When removing moisture sources and improving ventilation, it’s also wise to clean. This helps eliminate the bacteria and mold causing the smells.
A deep clean helps prevent odors from returning after you’ve deodorized your basement.
5. Abate Mold and Mildew
For minor mold and mildew stains, regular cleaning should suffice.
However, for persistent growth and severe stains, you may need to use products such as borax or a mold and mildew stain remover.
Borax is an all-natural mold and mildew fungicide. Follow the directions on the container.
Mix borax and water to clean any moldy areas to kill mold and prevent regrowth. You clean remaining stains with diluted bleach.
Carpet Replacement
Sometimes, mold and mildew will infest basement carpet. In such cases, the only solution is a carpet replacement.
However, before pushing through with the replacement, make sure you address the reason for the mold and mildew in the first place to prevent it from reappearing in the new carpets.
If you do decide to replace or add new basement carpets, check out this great guide and carpet options: Best Carpet Types And Colors For The Basement.
Hire a Professional

For severe mold and mildew cases, it is recommended to hire a professional instead of experimenting with cleaning products.
Breathing mold particles is extremely bad for your respiratory tract, and professional cleaners will have the necessary safety gears.
Professionals have the experience and know-how to completely eliminate mold and mildew and prevent it from coming back.
As with most mold infestation cases, if some spores are left, the problem can just cycle back.
6. Check Dryer Vent
Sometimes, dryer vents get clogged with lint. This clog means that the moisture your dryer is removing from your clothes cannot properly make it out of the vent opening.

A dryer vent can also house mice and other rodents that could enter your home, so if you have dryer vent or duct issues, have it fixed immediately.
7. Pest Control
Pests bring in moisture and odor issues. If you see any signs of pests, call a professional to have them removed.
If you want to DIY, do you research well before using any chemicals in your home.
Your local home improvement store should have a well-stocked section on pest control.
8. Waterproof Basement
If you are still having problems with moisture entering your basement after trying the above strategies, take steps to fully waterproof your basement.
Home improvement professionals can seal all of your basement walls and joints to keep all moisture out.
Waterproofing a basement is also ideal before you you make further home renovations or improvements.
9. Install Sump Pump
Sump pumps are in-ground pumps that pump out extra water from a basement. For basements that experience flooding, sump pumps are a necessity.
Will a Dehumidifier Help with the Basement Smell?
A dehumidifier is one of the easy ways to help with the basement smell. But be careful; all basement smells cannot be fixed with a dehumidified.
Usually, fixing the smell in a basement requires combining a dehumidifier, or similar strategy, with many of the recommendations listed above.
What Causes a Sewage Smell in the Basement?
A plumbing problem causes a sewage smell in a basement. The plumbing problem can range from a simple dried-out drain to a damaged sewage line.
You can hire a plumber to help fix the sewage smell quickly because the sewage odor is both unpleasant and a health hazard.

Often, drains and sinks in basements are not used very frequently. Because of this, the smell traps in the drains dry out. This allows the odor to come up from the sewage lines.
This fix is easy and simply requires running water through all of the drains. Try this first if you smell sewage in your basement.
For more persistent problems, you may be dealing with a bad plumbing seal or even damaged piping.
In Closing
Creating a fresher and more inviting basement doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
By incorporating these nine helpful methods, you can effectively banish musty odors and transform your basement into a space that smells clean and pleasant.
Whether it’s improving ventilation, using natural deodorizers, or addressing moisture issues, each step brings you closer to a better-smelling basement.
Remember, consistency is key, so keep up with regular maintenance to enjoy long-lasting freshness. Good luck!