Use Vinegar And Baking Soda To Kill Mold And Deodorize
If mold has occurred on hardwood floors or wooden furniture and salvaging is possible, the material must be taken outside and given a thorough cleaning with vinegar and baking soda. For floors that have surface mold and obviously cannot be taken outside, cleaning must be done with all windows open to allow for proper ventilation.
Begin the process by spraying affected areas with white vinegar, which studies have indicated is a powerful agent that simultaneously kills 82% of all mold species and eliminates nasty odor. Allow the vinegar to absorb for about 20 minutes before proceeding. Use a clean cloth, to wipe away the mold. For stubborn mold, scrub the area with a stiff brush and a solution of about 1/8 cup of white vinegar and 1 gallon of water. A borax solution is sometimes preferred to remove black mold on floor joists.
After getting rid of mold, spritz the furniture with either white vinegar or a tea tree oil solution. This will kill any remaining mold spores, which are not visible to the naked eye. Any musty smells can be eliminated with the application of baking soda. For hard-to-reach places, a baking soda spray using just enough water to form a liquid, will suffice.
Leave furniture out to dry in direct sunlight, but not for too long a period of time. For flooring and walls, dont use too much water while cleaning and open up the windows and/or turn on fans to quicken the drying process.
Why Does My Basement Have A Sewer Smell
This smell is created by a build-up of waste materials found in either a public sewer system or a . Plumbing is meant to keep the gases inside the pipes, so if you are smelling sewer gas, you may have a clog or a crack in the system.
You may also have a clog or crack in your venting pipes. Most homes have venting pipes through the roof as part of the plumbing. These pipes are not for exhaust, but for intake of fresh air.
You may be smelling sewer gas as a result of plumbing fixtures whose traps have gone dry. That is why, if you are going to be away from home for several days or more, you should have someone flush your toilets for you occasionally. Water evaporates more quickly than you might think.
Cleaning The Mold With Borax
Borax is also effective against mold. Here is how you can prepare a borax spray to remove the mold from your basement. It works exceptionally well with cinder blocks.
Mix one cup of borax with a gallon of hot water. Pour it into the spray bottle and apply it to the surface. Use the sponge to remove the mold from the wall.
However, borax might kill mold spores and help you remove them, but some stains might be left on the wall.
While mold stains arent a health hazard, they can look unpleasant.
You can apply a layer of paint to hide them or try concrete cleaners.
Don’t Miss: What Causes Mold On Ceiling In Bathroom
Steam Upholstery And Carpeting
Sand Away Any Mold And Vacuum Up The Dust
Before you do any type of clean up of mold, it is recommended to use a proper mask, available at your local hardware store, along with goggles and rubber gloves. Using sandpaper will help to remove mold that has penetrated deeply into the wood. Vacuum up the dust using a HEPA filter. This type of filter effectively traps pathogens, allergens and mold spores before they can spread into the air.
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Mold From Clothes With Hydrogen Peroxide
Various Types Of Mold
There are many strains of mold that can occur in your home. If you want to know how to get rid of mold in the basement, a good place to start is by identifying which type you are dealing with. Identification is essential so you can adjust your solution accordingly to correctly remediate the problem.
Alternaria This type of mold is found indoors and outdoors. This strain of bacteria grows easily in dark, dimly lit spaces. If your lower floor has a sink or bathroom it is certain to grow. Possible symptoms from this bacteria may cause allergic reactions or bring on asthma attacks.
Aspergillus This strain of mold commonly occurs indoors and appears green. This spore has likely developed in most homes at some point over time. Possible symptoms from this fungi may cause allergic reactions, inflammation of the lungs, and respiratory infections.
Aureobasidium This form of mold growth has most likely appeared in homes with old wood. When it grows it has a pink appearance with black spots or can be brown. Possible side effects from the fungus can easily cause allergic reactions to develop.
Stachybotrys Chartarum Also known as Stachybotrys Cladosporium this is the infamous black mold that can grow in air ducts and pipes. It can be easily distinguished by its musty smell. Exposure can lead to serious respiratory problems. Professional remediation is recommended if you identify black mold in the home.
How To Find The Source Of Musty Smells
Tracking down the source of musty smells is sometimes straightforward and sometimes…well, not so much. But if thereâs a specific cause for your musty smell, the only way to really rid your home of it is to find that cause and deal with it.
The good news is that there are definitely some common culprits behind musty smellsâand some pretty rock-solid tips and tricks for tackling them and achieving a musty-free home.
First thingâs first: consider that mold and mildew LOVE dampness and thrive in areas that donât get much ventilation. With that in mind, checking the following is a good place to start.
Recommended Reading: How To Install Vinyl Stair Nose Molding
What Does Mold Look Like
If you arent sure what mold looks like, think green, brown, or black spots growing along walls and window sills, around air vents, or on furnishings.
You can also look for signs of stains on walls, ceilings, or flooring. Bubbling or peeling in paint, wallpaper, or drywall could indicate the mold is growing unseen. Anywhere water damage has occurred or there are high levels of moisture in the air are key spots to investigate for mold. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and attics are other places in the house to check when looking for mold.
Check For Mold And Mildew
A major cause of bad odor in closed places is the growth of mold or mildew. These micro organisms grow where ever there is moisture or damp and lack of ventilation and sunlight.
Removing mold is an easy task. All you need to do is clean the moldy area with bleach or borax mixed water. Even laundry detergent can do the job.
Don’t Miss: How To Eliminate Mold In Crawl Space
How To Eliminate Musty Smells In Your Laundry
Maybe you left your clothes in the wash a little too long and now they have a smell you cant seem to get rid of.
Clothes or towels that smell like mold or mildew can stink up your whole homenot to mention the unpleasant effect it may have on those around you.
If moldy odors have made their way into your fabrics, here are a few ways to get them smelling fresh once again!
How To Kill Mold
Commercial mold-killing products are the most effective and generally offer better stain removal from residue. We suggest Concrobium. This is a popular and well-trusted brand when it comes to mold removal. It comes in various forms to get the job done and works really well for odor removal while also preventing future regrowth. There are other alternatives you can use that you may already have in your home.
Organic Mold Removal Products
One of the best options for an organic DIY mold killer solution is vinegar and baking soda. Cleaning vinegar is recommended. A mixture of vinegar and baking soda will eradicate black mold without releasing harsh fumes in the air. To create a solution you will need 1 cup of vinegar and a couple tablespoons of baking soda.
Borax can also be used to remove mold and mildew stains from porous surfaces and inhibits future mold growth. Borax is a natural mineral powder that is commonly used in cleaning and also makes a good deodorizer. It can be used with vinegar and water as a more effective method. To make a solution with Borax powder follow a ratio of 1 cup of powder with 1 gallon of water. Mix until the powder is completely dissolved. Hot water is recommended to ensure the powder dissolves. This mixture can be used as a spray simply by adding to a spray bottle or applying by using a rag or cloth.
Don’t Miss: How To Remove Mold From Canvas Tarp
Warning: Mold Removal Is Professional Work
If you have a mold problem, it’s best to use extreme care in removing it from your home. At Basement Systems, we do not recommend removing mold without professional help.
While rare, it is possible for mold to be harmful, toxic, and/or carcinogenic to humans. Other molds are allergenic and may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Fumes created during cleaning are also a significant concern when dealing with mold — especially in the case of combining cleaning agents.
Additionally, improper removal of mold can result in further mold issues down the road. It can be common even among professionals to miss a mold source, leading to serious health and home renovation implications later on.
When cleaning dirt, efflorescence, mold, and other stains on your basement walls and floors, take care that you’re not mixing bleach- and ammonia-based products together.
Mixing bleach and ammonia can result in in the creation of dangerous substances like chlorine gas, nitrogen trichloride, and hydrazine, depending on the mix of bleach and ammonia added.
What Causes Mold In The Basement
It comes as no surprise that mold in basements and crawl spaces is a common issue many homeowners face. This ground level of your home presents the ideal environment for mold to grow a dark, damp space with limited airflow. Basements are susceptible to excess moisture often resulting from a number of factors:
- Built-up condensation
- Leaky foundations
- Sump Pump failure
Basements typically have poor ventilation. While mold spores do require oxygen to grow, limited air flow in undisturbed areas of your home can easily become a breeding ground. It can grow very rapidly and eventually spread to other areas of the home.
One of the first steps in getting rid of mold in basements is to identify the source of the cause. One of the biggest contributors is excess moisture. Search for any potential factors that are causing the excess moisture in your basement. Leaky pipes are a common problem in basements simply due to their functionality. Over time pipes become susceptible to breaks and leaks from wear and tear. This occurrence can happen even in homes built with high-quality foundations.
If your home has a basement you might have a sump pump installed. This appliance is responsible for pumping out standing water in basements when detected. A built-in sensor and a floater activate the pump when water reaches a certain level. If this pump fails it can easily be linked to issues in water drainage and create a big problem.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Powder Mold
Using An Ozone Generator
Ozone is the go-to treatment for the removal of stubborn smells. Whether you are fighting odors from uncleaned items that have been left in the basement for long or bad smells from decomposing mold, these machines can leave your basement smelling fresh within a few hours.
However, for you to get the most out of it, ensure that you are getting the best ozone generator for home use. Besides, you should familiarize yourself with the safety measures for using Ozone and how to remove it from your home after using the generators to avoid any negative health effects.
My Basement Flooded And It Smells
A flooded basement can lead to an array of problems a big one, in particular, is the smell that is left behind from the lingering moisture.
We are going to address why this happens along with the variety of smells you can be posed with, and how to appropriately deal with them.
Before you delve down into your basement its essential to ensure your safety first.
If water or moisture is still intact, be sure that there are no electric currents active and residing in the water. Its best to wear rubber boots or rubber gloves when you are unsure.
Flooded Basement Smells?
Call;;for a Risk Free estimate from a Licensed Flood Damage Restoration Specialist in;your area.
We Can Help Dry out Your Basement & Remove any Smells.
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Black Mold On Shower Grout
Do I Need To Run A Dehumidifier In The Basement In Winter
This depends on a few different circumstances. First of all, you should get a hygrometer to check your humidity level. If its above 50 in the winter, you will benefit from running a dehumidifier. We recommend setting it to 40 percent.
Another factor is where youre located. If you live in a super cold area, you may not need to run a dehumidifier in the winter. But if your basement stays pretty warm theres a good chance you should run your dehumidifier.
Overall, if you use a dehumidifier in the winter, keep an eye on the moisture levels. You dont want the room to be too dry or cold, especially if you have appliances down there that could freeze.
Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels
Have you ever noticed that your basement is always slightly cooler than the rest of your dwelling? Thats because of its lower position. While this can be pleasant during the hot summer months, it can cause excess moisture and lead to mold growth. When the warm air from your homes upper levels enters the basement, the water vapor can condense and cover the walls.
Mold likes a humidity level of over 60%. To keep your humidity levels in check, you can invest in a hygrometer to measure your basements humidity levels. It also might help to buy a dehumidifier.
Read Also: How To Clean Mold Around Air Vents
Types Of Basement Mold
Various types of mold will infest your basement. While they are all hideous, not all of them are toxic to humans.
Molds can be divided into two categories:
- Allergenic
- Mycotoxin/black
Allergenic molds usually pose no health risk unless you are extremely sensitive to molds or asthmatic. Black molds, on the other hand, produce a toxic chemical called mycotoxins and are particularly harmful to humans and pets.
Here are the common types of molds that can infest your basement.
Aspergillus
Aspergillus is one of the most common household mold species. There are different types of Aspergillus, and most of them thrive well indoors. Some of the Aspergillus molds are allergenic, but some are mycotoxin and should be removed by a specialist, especially if it is something like black mold.
This fungus is dark green and found on damp walls, ceilings, and even furniture. It flourishes in humid environments, but can also grow in areas that are dry with high levels of humidity or condensation.
Metazene Odor Neutralizing Surface And Wall Spray
Available in a gallons and transferred to quart-sized sprayers with a fresh mint scent, our oil-based Metazene Wall Spray works effective and different than standard water-based deodorizer products, which utilize perfume and water and rely on enzymes to eliminate odors. When our Wall Spray is applied regularly to surfaces as needed, being sure to test any painted, varnished or plastic materials prior to application, odors are effectively neutralized.
Metazene Wall Spray, with industrial science and technology, attacks and destroys malodors at their molecular level. This is a far more permanent solution that most retail products, which at best only serves to temporarily mask bad smells.
Metazene Wall Spray creates a neutralizing atmosphere because the foul smelling molecules attach themselves to the Metazene particles, which trap and lock in malodors.
In conclusion
So what are you waiting for?! Follow the above steps, order our and finally make your basement smell fresh again and eliminate musty odors once and for all!
Final thoughts about basement odors: If something bad smells in the basement, it will eventually make its way to the attic. ~ Anthony Liccione.
Recommended Reading: Is It Bad To Breathe In Mold
How To Get Rid Of A Musty Smell In Your Basement
If musty odors are keeping you from using your basement, its time for that to change. With a bit of effort, you can eliminate funky smells from your below-grade spaces for good.
Pungent, musty odors can make a basement unbearable to spend time in. If strong enough, these awful odors can even work their way up into the rest of the house. Instead of ignoring the problem, learn how to get rid of it.
