Best Way to Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Garage?

First locate the source and make repairs.

Then use bleach.

Is it just in the summer? Right now the humidity is so bad, ours is very damp. We keep door closed and run a dehumidifier in room next to our garage - no smell. Other people I know air it out with doors open at times on hot (non humid) days. Friends of ours have a garage that gets so humid, the floor gets slick. They just air it out - no smell.

If it's something else causing the smell and it's actual mildew - deal with the issue, and that will take care of the smell.

If it's just from the humidity, I'd air it out (when hot/sunny) and keep doors closed when humid, and run the dehumidifier. We haven't needed anything for a smell.

our garage has a mildew smell right now because the east coast has been insanely wet this entire spring and early summer.

we just keep the garage doors open on sunny days and let it dry out as much as we can.
khairete
S.

If there is a mildew smell, then it's damp and growing mildew - it might be in places that you can't see/reach and that's why the bleach didn't help. If your garage door is closed most of the time, you could get a dehumidifier and let it run.

https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/how-to-prevent-mold-in-the-...

If it's ever been flooded, the drywall needs to be replaced - you'll never get the smell out of drywall that's been wet.
Any rotten wood also needs to come out.
Mold grows where there's moisture - you've got to find where the moisture has been coming from and stop it.
A leaky roof would need to be fixed.
Once the moisture source is gone, make sure there's good air circulation and wipe things down with a bleach solution and keep the fans running till it's completely dried out.

soap and water doesn't make MOLD go away.

You need BLEACH. Find the source of the mildew and BLEACH it. If it's drywall? REMOVE the dry wall and replace it.

You do NOT want mold to grow. Home Owners insurance typically does NOT cover mold remediation. Find the source. It might mean taking EVERYTHING out of the garage and ensuring NOTHING is wet or even DAMP.

Make sure things are stored PROPERLY - cardboard boxes are NOT proper storage in a garage - rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks can all get into garages and eat through the cardboard. And yes, their urine can be a conducive mold growth.

If you already know WHERE the source is? You need to use BLEACH on it. If the source cannot be bleached? You need to throw it away.

No matter now well you clean up or what products you use, as long as there is moisture you won't be able to get rid of the smell for long.

If you've ever had standing water or a leak in the garage, you may need to replace part of the wall. If general humidity is the issue, you'll need to dry up the environment inside.

Some garages are insulated and connected to the home's central air, or have a dehumidifier to suck moisture out. Airflow is a must. Use pallets to keep things off the floor. Use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes. Don't store paper or cloth items that are not in airtight containers. Have windows and possibly doors open during warm dry weather.

You need to get your hands on some Purification essential oil.

We had a skunk visit us last summer and our garage smelled horrible from the visit. I took my diffuser out to the garage and diffused Purification for about a half hour and the smell was gone! If Purification can get rid of skunk smell, I am certain it would help rid the mildew smell.

Purification is a blend of Citronella, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Lavandin and Myrtle essential oils. I hope you find your solution.