How to Clean Mildew in the Basement
Mildew and mold are a common problem in basements. Mold is always present in the air and the mold that causes mildew only needs a damp, dark and poorly-ventilated area to grow. Mildew typically appears in a bluish-green color. It is not only harmful to the surfaces on which it grows, it also has detrimental health effects when it is inhaled. Cleaning the mildew growing on basement surfaces is a simple procedure. The primary difficulty is locating all of the mildew. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Locate the mildew. Mildew is first noticeable by its musty smell. You also may experience typical cold-like symptoms such as a scratchy throat and headaches. Mildew grows in dark, damp, and unventilated places. It grows on wood, paper, walls, ceiling tiles, carpets and floors. Use a light with a strong beam to search the obvious places in the basement such as pipes, the water heater and the laundry area.
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Remove anything that is damp and saturated with water. If the carpet is damp, lift up an edge of the carpet and inspect the pad. If the pad is wet, the carpet and pad need to be removed. Use a water extraction vacuum to remove excess water and clean it with a carpet shampoo. Take it outside and allow it to dry in the sun. Throw the carpet pad away and allow the subfloor to dry. Replace any ceiling tiles that have mildew. Take damp or musty furniture outside.
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Wash the furniture and carpet. This prevents the spores from scattering in other parts of the basement. Wash any mildewed spots with warm soap and water and allow them to dry. If mildew stains still remain, fill a bucket with two tbsp. of liquid chlorine bleach and one quart of warm water. Dip a sponge in the bucket and wash the spots. Let the bleach soak for 15 minutes and rinse with clean water.
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Inspect the wood walls and trim in the basement. If you basement has baseboards or wood walls these may be areas where mildew is growing. If this is the case, use a mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP), bleach and water. TSP can be purchased at any hardware or painting supply store. Add 10 tbsp. of TSP to a gallon of water and a cup of chlorine bleach. Scrub the mildewed surfaces with a brush and rinse with clean water and a clean sponge. Allow them to dry.
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Mop concrete floors and walls. Fill a bucket with a 3/4 cup of chlorine bleach and a gallon of warm water. Mop the area. Let the bleach remain on the surface for five minutes. Rinse with clean water and allow the surface to dry.
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Place two or three fans in the basement and open the windows. Air out the basement and let everything thoroughly dry. Install new carpet padding, replace the carpet and bring in the furniture.
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Tips & Warnings
If the basement has continuous moisture problems, set up a dehumidifier.
