How do you get rid of a musty basement smell?

Place bowls of baking soda around the basement. The baking soda will begin to absorb the odors and should make a significant difference over the course of a few days. You can also use bowls of white vinegar or clean cat litter—both will absorb odors as well.

What causes a musty smell in the basement?

The old musty basement smell that most people are familiar with is typically caused by mold and mildew. As these fungi grow, they release foul-smelling gases that permeate the room and embed themselves in fabric such as carpet, curtains, clothing stored in the basement, or even upholstered furniture.

Will a dehumidifier get rid of musty smell?

Dehumidifiers take excessive moisture out of the air. … Eliminating those unpleasant odors is one of the top benefits of running a dehumidifier. “Dehumidifiers help make a room feel less damp. Otherwise the humidity can bring on a musty smell that reminds me of an old house,” says Eric Ball, a spokesman for Lowe’s.

Is it normal for basements to smell musty?

Basements are the perfect breeding ground for a mold or mildew problem, creating a musty smell that can be hard to get rid of. As some or all of your basement walls are built underground, the cold, moist soil surrounding the walls leeches moisture into the basement.

Can a basement smell musty without mold?

The musty smell that is harbored within your home’s walls can be the cause of several factors residing in the environment and/or conditions that are present in the indoor space. Although most people’s initial thought is that musty smells only come from mold development in the environment, this is simply not the case.

Will a dehumidifier get rid of musty smell in basement?

The best way to remove moisture from a damp basement is to keep a dehumidifier down there. A single dehumidifier in the basement will remove quite a bit of the dampness and lessen the smell.

How do I increase ventilation in my basement?

Mechanical ventilation can be accomplished in several ways: Placing a fan in front of a window and pointing it so that the indoor air is pushed outdoors. If you have a second window or door in the basement, you can break it slightly to further improve ventilation. Installing an exhaust fan with a ventilation pipe.

What’s the best dehumidifier for basement?

Best Overall Dehumidifier: Frigidaire High Humidity 50-Pint Capacity Dehumidifier. Best Value Dehumidifier: Frigidaire Low Humidity 22-Pint Capacity Dehumidifier. Best Dehumidifier for Basements: LG PuriCare 50-Pint Clear Bucket Dehumidifier. Best Dehumidifier with Pump: GE 45-Pint Dehumidifier.

Does basement need a dehumidifier?

In spaces that are naturally more damp, such as basements and crawl spaces, a dehumidifier will help dry the air, reducing musty odors and preventing mold growth and other issues caused by excess moisture. A basement dehumidifier helps maintain an ideal indoor relative humidity (RH) level in the space.

Where should dehumidifier be placed in basement?

In conclusion, the best place to keep a dehumidifier most definitely is the downstairs basement or upstairs close to the stairs. This is because the basement is the most humid place in your house. If there is any other moist condition upstairs, its source must be resolved rather than placing a dehumidifier.

Does baking soda remove moisture from the air?

Baking soda can be used in many different ways at home. People use it to absorb water from the air, which makes the air less humid. Baking soda is a hygroscopic substance and it will absorb moist air.

Do you put a humidifier or dehumidifier in basement?

With most basements suffering from dampness, it means you need a dehumidifier to help control the moisture level and balance the relative humidity. However, if you live in the basement (rare cases) and the air feels dry, you will need a humidifier.

What are the disadvantages of a dehumidifier?

Con: Noise and Heat

Dehumidifiers also tend to blow warm air out of the back of the unit. In the winter, this can be an advantage — but not so much in the summer. Position the back of your dehumidifier in a doorway so that it doesn’t heat up the room from which you are removing excess moisture.

Should a dehumidifier run constantly?

Should a Dehumidifier Run Constantly? No, there is no need to keep the dehumidifier running constantly. It’s generally enough to run the unit when the humidity level is 50% or higher. A good rule of thumb to remember is to maintain a comfortable 30-50% humidity level for most homes.

Should you run a dehumidifier in the basement in the winter?

You should only run a dehumidifier in your basement in the wintertime if the room maintains a high relative humidity. To monitor the relative humidity in your basement, hang a humidistat (sometimes called a hygrometer) on the wall. It works like a thermometer, constantly measuring the relative humidity in the room.

Will a dehumidifier in the basement help the whole house?

A basement dehumidifier designed to work in low temperatures with proper square-foot and pint rating can work for your entire home. Whole-house dehumidifiers can also be professionally attached to an HVAC system to help keep the humidity at optimal levels in your entire home.

Does heating your basement keep your house warmer?

You should heat your unfinished basement. If you have cold floors, then insulating the basement ceiling will help the most. Once insulated, heating an unfinished basement will help warm your whole home. … Heating a drafty uninsulated basement is the same as burning money for warmth!

Should you heat an unfinished basement in the winter?

In short, you should indeed heat your basement in cool and cold climate areas. … Some of the coldest air found in your home tends to be in the basement. When this cold air rises, it is drawn across the floor of the main level, causing cold feet and other comfort problems.

Should I turn my dehumidifier off in the winter?

During cold winter months, the air in your home is usually dry, which means a dehumidifier is not necessary. … When the temperature in the space where you run your dehumidifier starts getting down around 65° F, it’s time to think of unplugging your unit and stowing it away for the winter.