Get Rid of Musty Basement Odors Naturally

Naturally is Always Good!

Dina Montgomery
What is it about that musty smell in the basement that drives so many of us crazy? It's because it just plain smells bad and sometimes it's really hard to get rid of completely. But there is hope; you can get rid of the smell with little effort on your part. All you need is a little know how and some patience. Here are some ways to get rid of musty basement odors naturally and easily.

Use an onion

Get an ordinary onion and cut it in half. Place the two halves on a plate and set it on the floor in the middle of the basement. The onion will absorb the musty smell, helping to eliminate it. Make sure that you ventilate the basement well by allowing as much fresh air in as possible.

This can easily be done by opening a window and running some fans to get the air circulating. Because the musty smell can come from mildew and mold, which can thrive in places that are dark and humid, you will want to get the stale air circulating as much as you possibly can.

Use coffee grounds

You can place some unused coffee grounds into paper bags to help get rid of the musty odors in your basement. Fill a few small paper bags about one to two inches deep with coffee grounds and place them into the corners of the basement.

Just make sure that you don't keep the paper bags in the basement for too long, for this could attract unwanted pests. Keep them in the basement just long enough, about two or three days, to absorb the musty odors and then discard them.

Vinegar

A great way to get rid of musty basement odors is to use vinegar. Get a glass bowl or even a disposable plastic container, and fill it with about one to two cups of vinegar. Place the container in a location that it will be out of the way, preventing it from being spilled. Let it sit for as long as it takes to get the musty smell out.

Just make sure that you don't have any children or pets roaming around unattended so they won't accidentally get into the vinegar. The vinegar may smell a little strong for about a day, but after that, you won't be able to smell it at all.

Now that you know some simple ways to get rid of those nasty, musty smells in your basement, you can rest easy knowing that you didn't have to spend a fortune on other expensive products, and it was all done naturally, no harmful chemicals required.

Sources: Amazing Insider Secrets, 1,703 Money-Saving Tips book

Published by Dina Montgomery

I've always loved writing and sharing things with others.  View profile

48 Comments

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  • Bridget Ilene Delaney4/6/2011

    I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top. ~English Professor (Name Unknown), Ohio University

  • Bridget Ilene Delaney4/3/2011

    To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make. ~Truman Capote, McCall's, November 1967

  • Bridget Ilene Delaney3/30/2011

    Writing is my time machine, takes me to the precise time and place I belong. ~Jeb Dickerson

  • Matthew Austin11/12/2010

    Great article! Coffee grounds are great for getting rid of diaper odor too.

  • J. E. Davidson11/5/2010

    Great odor-removing tips for basements. I don't have basement anymore, but if I ever do again, I'll keep these tips in mind!

  • Jennifer Waite10/24/2010

    Excellent! I love me my vinegar. I always keep two spray bottles cut with water around the house :)

  • Annika Lanning10/23/2010

    Vinegar is the best house hold cleaner. Well, Vodka is good too :)

  • Bridget Ilene Delaney10/15/2010

    Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say. ~Sharon O'Brien

  • Roberta Baxter10/15/2010

    Such a helpful article.Thanks for the aid in getting rid of the musty smell.

  • Deborah Oakes, NPS10/12/2010

    I think I'll pass on the onion but the rest works for me. Great tips, thanks.

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