Dealing with High Humidity in Damp, Cool Basements

We have been having extremely hot, humid weather in our area this summer. Many people find that their basements get too damp with the condensing of humidity, leading to mold, rot, and unpleasant smells. Here is some advice, courtesy of Inside Toronto [h/t to BenS]:

1. Don't open the windows to increase the air circulation. Doing so will just let in more hot humid air, which will increase condensation and dampness in the basement.
2. Get a dehumidifier.
3. If the dehumidifier ices up, set it on a timer so it shuts off for about 15 minutes out of every hour, and don't run it overnight. Doing so will save on electricity use, too.
4. Put a small, cheap oscillating fan to blow through the dehumidifier. This will increase the air flow through its coils and keep the air in your basement moving well.