That nasty damp basement smell is caused by mold and mildew, and you can get rid of it without having to resort to using chemicals. In fact, you can get rid of that damp basement smell with items that are already around your home.

First, clean everything out of your basement, and into the backyard. This can be a tough job, but you can pull up old carpet, and even cardboard, that’s contributing to the smell. Not only that, but now you have blank surfaces to clean.

Vinegar is another useful tool, because its able to get rid of most mold and mildew. Vinegar can be poured on areas with heavy mold buildup and then you should scrub hard and thoroughly to remove most traces of the mold.

Mix lemon juice with water for a strong and sweet cleaning solution. It tackles all kinds of mold, and also cleans unaffected areas, taking out the smell, replacing it with a lemon scent.

Spreading baking soda over an are will soak up some of the smell, but won’t clean the area. Clean up after using baking soda.

Finally, you can finish the job by cleaning with good natural soap and water. This removes the last bits of mold, and takes away the smell completely and permanently.