- 1). Vacuum or sweep out every last corner of your musty basement. Getting all that dust and dirt up is important to the long term success removing musty odors from a basement.
- 2). If surfaces permit, wash down everything in your musty basement with a solution of bleach and water. Mix it about one part bleach to five parts water. I use a cheapie mop and even wash down the walls. This probably isn't a great idea to use on drywall, but works good for musty basements with cinderblock walls and concrete floors. Make sure you have enough ventilation, if there's a window, open it! Otherwise, blow a fan down the steps of the musty basement so you don't become sick from the fumes. Let dry.
- 3). Place unused coffee grounds in paper bags, about an inch or two deep. Place in corners of a musty basement. I prefer to use this as a short term fix, You don't want to leave the coffee grounds out long enough to attract bugs. Coffee grounds will absorb odors very well in your musty basement.
- 4). Place a couple inches of aquarium charcoal in paper bags. Place in each corner of your musty basement. If your floors get damp, place the bags on a tray or other object to keep them off the floor. This is more of a permanent fixture in my musty basement. It absorbs musty odors long term. It's good to change it out once a year or so.
- 5). Let fresh air into musty basement whenever possible. If there's a window, open it from time to time to let air circulate, especially important if you have a damp basement. Also, if your musty basement is damp, it might be worth checking into a dehumidifier, as mildew and molds can be harmful to your health.
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