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Most basement odors are caused by uncontrolled humidity levels and neglect. Face it, when was cleaning the basement a regular part of your household duties? Due to their location and lack of use, many basement areas go months (and even years) with little or no attention. The first step in treating and eliminating offensive odors from below is to give your cellar area a little time and attention.
DRY OUT FIRST
Before any cleaning or odor control takes place, you'll need to get the moisture level under control, dry the area out completely, and provide an exchange of air. This can be accomplished easily by opening all windows and doors, when weather permits. Dehumidifiers will also absorb moisture, as will wet-vacs, and other appliances. Use fans near large windows to help blow offensive odors out and clean air in.
CLEAN
Since most troublesome basement odors come from excessive moisture buildup, a thorough cleaning is necessary. You may eliminate the odor during the course of cleaning or help pinpoint exactly where it's coming from. By using natural based cleansers, you'll avoid covering the smell temporally. A homemade disinfectant can be made from 1/2 cup bleach and a gallon of hot water. Apply disinfectant liberally with sponge and wipe clean. This solution works well on cement walls, floors, and in bathroom and laundry areas.
WALLS can be cleaned with a solution of 1/2 cup bleach and one gallon of water. Apply with sponge or rag and rinse thoroughly.
CEMENT FLOORS can be cleaned with 1 cup borax and one gallon of water. Apply with clean sponge head and rinse thoroughly.
CARPETING can be freshened with homemade cleansers. Mix 1 cup cornmeal with 1 cup baking soda. Shake onto carpeting and allow to penetrate for one hour. Sweep rug with a broom. Allow to sit an additional hour. Vacuum thoroughly.
MILDEW is a fungus that invades warm, humid areas. Mildew on walls and floors should be cleaned thoroughly. Mix 2 cups vinegar, 2 cups hot, steaming water, 1/2 cup salt, and 2 cups borax in a large pail. Apply solution to areas of buildup. Allow to sit for 30-minutes. Re-apply, scrubbing with a soft bristled brush, if necessary. Rinse thoroughly.
FINDING THE SOURCE
After the basement area has been cleaned and disinfected, you should be able to pinpoint the source of the odor. Once you've located where the odor is coming from, you'll need to identify what type of odor problem you have.
MUSTY odors generally indicate an overgrowth of mildew. Mildew commonly occurs in carpeting, on walls, around doors and windows, and in bathroom and laundry areas.
STALE basement air often eminates from neglected refrigerators and freezers, old boxes, stored clothing and lack of proper air exchange.
ABSORBING THE SMELL
If there is an offensive odor remaining after cleaning, absorbing the smell (rather than covering it up with chemicals) will help eliminate the problem for good. Try these age-old remedies for stubborn odors:
USE AN ONION. Cut an onion in half and place it on a plate on the basement floor. Onions work great at absorbing mold and mildew smells.
TRY SOME BREAD. Two slices of bread placed on a dish in the basement overnight will absorb smoke smells, mildew, stale air and animal odor. (Note: they may also give you a new problem. Mice!)
CHARCOAL. Activated charcoal (such as that used in fish aquariums) is a great way to absorb and remove almost any offensive odor. Place a dish of it on the floor or hang it from a bag year round to help keep your lower level odor-free.
BAKING SODA. Millions swear by the power of common household baking soda. Simply open container and place out of sight in the basement for up to three months at a time. Baking soda can also be applied directly to stubborn smells and problem areas.
PROBLEM AREAS
CARPET TROUBLE
Once odor has seeped into carpeting, it is difficult to remove. If carpets have been severely damaged , it's best replaced. For more minor carpet odors, regular cleaning and humidity control will go a long way in treating the problem and preventing its recurrence. Once a month, sprinkle 1-cup baking soda on carpeting to help absorb stubborn odors. Allow to sit one hour, then vacuum.
CEMENT WALLS naturally sweat, creating a buildup of moisture. Control the humidity in cellars by using a dehumidifier to help reduce the amount of moisture in the air. Concrete walls and floors can also be sealed to prevent them from sweating.
INDOOR WOOD PANELLING
Wash down walls with a solution of 1/2 cup laundry detergent (or all-purpose cleaner), 2 tablespoons bleach, and 3 quarts hot water. Use a soft brush to clean and rinse well.
WOOD FURNITURE
Dry, wood furniture that is not properly finished can cause moisture to accumulate within the grain of the wood. Clean mildew from woods by wiping the surface gently with all-purpose cleaners (or a solution of 4 drops liquid hand soap to 1 quart warm water.) Dry thoroughly.
UPHOLSTERY
Furniture upholstery, mattresses and loose rugs are a hotbed for mold and mildew. To clean, brush off molds and mildews outdoors, then vacuum the area thoroughly. Using a sponge, and a solution of dish soap and hot water, wipe cloth clean. Using a small amount of bleach in the water will also remove mildew, but may stain some fabrics.
STAY THAT WAY!
Now that the offensive odor is gone, stay that way. Always:
1. Make sure there's adequate ventilation in all areas of the basement.
2. Control the humidity. Humidifiers and electric heaters work great!
3. Repair foundation and wall damage immediately to prevent water from leaking into the basement area. Also, make sure gutters and downspouts are pointed away from the house.
4. Vent dryer air outside the house.
5. Buy synthetic. Rugs and carpeting made from synthetic fibers won't grow mold or mildew.
6. Keep things clean. Regularly wash down areas where mildew frequently grows. This includes cement walls and floors, bathrooms and around washers and dryers.
7. Paint basement walls with mildew resistant paint or add mildew-resistant paneling. Latex paints are also mildew resistant.
8. Seal basement wood floors and furniture to prevent mildew growth. Sealers such as varnish and polyurethane prevent moisture from seeping into wood.
9. Reorganize storage areas. Remove old clothing from closets and boxes, wash and repack elsewhere.
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