That musty smell can indicate a serious indoor air quality issue. Here's what it means and how to deal with it properly so that you can breathe easy.

Basements are notorious for developing a musty smell. This is true whether you have a completely finished basement decked out with carpet and furniture, or you use this space as more of a storage or task-oriented destination. 

“The musty smell in basements is usually caused from mold, mildew, or bacteria that thrive in the humid environment created by basements,” explains Taylor Riley, a cleaning professional and co-founder of Impact Cleaning Professionals. “With that said, the best course of action is to control the humidity, remove dust, dirt, or mold spores, and ensure adequate ventilation.” 

Fortunately, there are some everyday steps you can take to get rid of that musty smell in your basement.

Start With a Thorough Cleaning 

Performing a full clean on your basement is step number one. Taking time to do this prompts you to check every nook and cranny for water accumulation, mildew, or mold. It also refreshes your space and helps it smell cleaner. 

“I always tell clients to start by doing a full cleaning, even if you want to hire a professional cleaning company to come in for a few hours to vacuum, dust, and scrub,” says Wendy Trunz, cleaning expert and head organizer at Jane's Addiction Organization. 

Deeply Sanitize Mold and Mildew 

When mold grows, it releases gasses referred to as microbial volatile organic compounds, which are responsible for the musty odor that is often associated with mold. 

“If this scent is present, it’s a pretty good indicator of a mold problem in the basement. Properly dealing with the mold growing in the basement will help eliminate that scent,” explains Michael Rubino, mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse. 

Your first step is to determine the source(s) of the mold and mildew and address each immediately while wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) and following the correct protocol. This minimizes your exposure, reduces the risk of spread, and ensures you truly kill the mold. A bleach solution (equal parts bleach and water) can tackle most types of mold, as can commercial mold removers. Make sure to thoroughly clean all hard surfaces, and discard and replace porous surfaces—like carpet, drywall, ceiling tiles, and insulation—that have mold growth. 

“Hiring professionals to complete the work and ensure it’s done correctly—especially in areas like the basement—is best,” Rubino says. However, “if you are set on doing it yourself, be sure to find and take some local mold remediation classes or get recommendations from experts.”

Read the full article here: https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-get-rid-of-musty-smells-in-basement-8693556