Thorough cleaning of all soiled fabrics, regardless of the kind of fiber, may help prevent their mildewing. Get Rid of Dampness Remove the cause. Try to control the causes of dampness so that mold spores, which are usually present in the air, won't settle on articles. Condensation of warm, moist air on cool surfaces often causes dampness in basements. Excessive moisture may indicate that repairs are needed.
Some basements are continually wet from water leaking through crevices in the wall.
Make sure that outside drainage is adequate and that crawl spaces under houses are kept dry. If a clothes dryer is equipped with a vent, have it exhausted to the outside to prevent condensation of moisture. Cool air holds less moisture than warm air. If properly installed, air-conditioning systems remove moisture from the air by taking up warm air, cooling it, and circulating the cool air back into the room. In houses that are not air conditioned, including the basement, mechanical dehumidifiers are useful.