My 1911 Victorian cottage in northern Michigan has a very dusty basement! I fought off the cobwebs and dust about 2 years ago and it didn't hold for more than a few months. I think the dust is coming from the lime mortar & stone foundation and from between the plank floorboards overhead.

I'd like to paint the whole thing white with a grey floor, but could use some guidance on what products to use/avoid. It sounds like a product like Dry-Lok isn't suggested because it doesn't allow the foundation to breathe on both sides. I haven't had any leak issues, other than a little weeping one week that dumped rain.

It's mostly stone foundation with some areas that have concrete block half-walls (I'm guessing they were added at some point to support the original walls). Overhead is just floor joists/subfloor and mechanical systems, but fairly low ceiling.

The space is used for storage, so the goal is just cleaner looking and less dusty - not trying to make a finished basement.

And also, any suggestions to evict the spiders? ;)