Things You'll Need
Large floor fan, or several box fans
Bleaching powder
Broom
Dustpan
Garbage bag
½ cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
2 tsp. natural vanilla
1 cup of water
Spray bottle
Sponge
Vacuum
8 to 10 tbsp. Trisodium phosphate
Water
Gallon bucket
Sponge
Mildew is a growth, usually white in color, produced by molds and fungi. Mildew thrives and grows in places that are damp, warm and dark. If you have recently had to deal with any kind of leak in your home, chances are you've had to deal with mold and mildew. If you had the leak repaired, but still have a residual "musty" smell in your home, you can do something to make it smell less like an abandoned building and more like a home.
Basement
Step 1
Place fans around the affected area of the basement. Make sure the floor is completely dry before proceeding to step 2.
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Step 2
Sprinkle a liberal amount of bleaching powder on the affected area.
Step 3
Leave powder on the floor overnight, then sweep up the bleaching powder the next day and place in a garbage bag.
Carpets
Step 1
Use floor fans to thoroughly dry the carpet.
Step 2
Combine baking soda, vinegar, vanilla and water in a spray bottle. Spray on the affected areas of your carpet. Do not saturate the carpet. Scrub with the sponge.
Step 3
Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda on the carpet or rug. You may need more than one box depending on how much of your carpet has been damaged.
Step 4
Leave the baking soda overnight. Vacuum thoroughly the next day.
Wood
Step 1
Dry the wood with fans. Allow the wood to dry completely.
Step 2
Combine water and trisodium phosphate in the bucket. Mix well.
Step 3
Dip sponge in trisodium phosphate solution and scrub the affected wood. Rinse with warm water. Once again, use fans to thoroughly dry the wood.
Tip
Allow as much fresh air into your home as possible when trying to eliminate mildew smells.
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