Heat rises and moisture falls. That’s why your basement smells like a 100-year-old mothball community, which is just the worst. Whether you’re worried about stinking up stored items, you want to furnish the space or the mothball smell is just driving you crazy, don’t worry! The space is salvageable.

Here’s your 3-step guide to de-musting, de-stinking & de-funking your basement:

Step 1: Invest in a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air so your basement stops feeling like a rainforest. It’s important to keep the moisture level in control to protect your furniture, health and home. If the air in your basement is higher than 60% relative humidity, you have a problem. (Here’s a step-by-step for checking your home’s humidity if you’re not sure where you fall.)

One Amazon reviewer said the humidity level of her home dropped more than 30% after just a few hours of using this dehumidifier. A close alternative is this option, also with positive reviews.

Step 2: Give The Floor a Good Scrub

Combine one cup of oxygen bleach with one gallon of cool water for a musty-scent killing concoction. Go after the corners and any areas where you have found mold before. Safety Note: Oxygen bleach is a safer alternative to chlorine bleach that won’t damage most floor types, but you still need to be careful! Make sure you follow all the warning labels and keep the bleach out of reach from kids and pets when you store it.

Step 3: Baking Soda, Baking Soda, Baking Soda

Baking soda is a good must prevention item once you have the situation under control. Place a few open boxes of baking soda around the basement. You can do this in an inconspicuous places like behind furniture and inside of cabinets.

The baking soda will absorb the humidity and any smells that may be trying to brew. Note: It’s a good idea to replace the boxes every few months.

Still Stinky? Try Charcoal.

Charcoal is another, more powerful natural substance that can be used to absorb moisture and remove odor. Just be sure to store it on a plate or inside an old sock so it doesn’t get soot everywhere. Pet Tip: If you have pets, this solution may not be a good idea. You don’t want give Sparky a new toy.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

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