Try to set up a box fan in your basement so you aren’t breathing in chemical fumes. Wear a face mask or respirator as a safety precaution. Vinegar is an effective mold-killer that is less harsh than bleach. [2] X Expert Source Mike KapurCertified Mold Assessor & Home Inspector, Sonic Home Inspections Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.

You might run into this issue more often if you use your basement as an exercising area. Be to air-dry or tumble dry the items before moving them back into the basement. Be sure to use a non-chlorine bleach if you’re washing colored fabrics, or else they might fade.

Tea tree oil eliminates mold spores naturally. If you prefer organic cleaning methods, it’s a great ingredient to have on hand. Rubbing alcohol has sanitizing properties, which makes it especially useful in this mixture.

White vinegar helps to soak up any bad smells in the basement. You can also fill open containers with cat litter, which will also absorb the scent of mildew. [6] X Research source

Make sure to examine all the pipes in your basement. There may be more than 1 pipe that’s dripping or collecting moisture.

The strips of foam are pre-cut in the package, so you don’t have to worry about trimming or adjusting them. You can find foam pipe wrap online or in most hardware or home improvement stores.

If your window wells fill up with debris on a regular basis, set aside a time each month to clean them out.

If the window is broken, call a repair person to replace it.

Caulk all the cracks that you find in your wall, no matter how small they are. Any kind of fissure can be an unwanted source of moisture and mustiness in your basement.

If you aren’t sure what kind of product to purchase, ask a hardware or home improvement store associate for help.

You can purchase a hygrometer online, or you can make your own.

Compressor dehumidifiers use a storage tank to collect moisture. Any kind of dehumidifier can be purchased online. Some dehumidifier models might have an internal hygrometer, which can better monitor the humidity levels in your basement.

Damp items don’t necessarily need to be thrown out. For instance, if you find moist bed sheets in your basement, you can re-wash them on a high, antibacterial setting in your washer.

Try creating an organizational system for your items! For example, you could place old scrapbooks and photos in 1 bin, then place your bedding and tablecloths in another.

If you’re dealing with raw wood, you can use bleach to clean off the surface in lieu of soap and water.