Useful Tips To Banish Musty Basement Smell

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woman covering her nose inside of a basement

Useful Tips To Banish Musty Basement Smell

By : Grace
Basements are one of the imperative parts of residential properties. It can be used as a storage unit, parking space, dark room or keeping gym equipment and packed boxes. You can save a lot of space in your house by putting unnecessary items in that particular room. Unfortunately, basements are dark, humid and create a perfect environment for mould and mildew growth. These black spores on moist and dark surfaces not only trigger health issues but also produce unpleasant and musty smells. Banishing the musty smell from your basement starts from removing mould and mildew stains. Ensuring proper ventilation and eliminating excess moisture from concrete walls and drywall are also important steps. It is always good to hire experts for a thorough end of lease cleaning in Geelong if you are moving out of the leased property. They can take the pressure off your shoulders and help you get the full bond back. However, if you want to know the best ways to banish musty basement smell without using harsh products and chemicals, then consider the following tips:

1. Toss Mouldy Organic Materials

If mould and mildew have damaged your cardboard boxes and chipboards, then throw them in plastic bags. Do not forget to dispose of mouldy items properly. This is one of the best ways to remove musty smells. You can replace them with new stuff because they are already damaged.

2. Use White Vinegar

The musty smell is caused by mould on dark and moist surfaces, such as drywall, hardwood floors and carpets. Since you can’t throw them outside your home, make sure you remove black spores using safe and sound products. White vinegar is one of the best ingredients that can help you get rid of stubborn stains, including mould and mildew. It has an acidic property which makes it an ideal natural cleaning product. You can prepare a white vinegar, warm water and mild dishwashing liquid solution in a spray bottle. Open the windows while applying the solution on the affected surfaces. According to experts, vinegar has the potential to kill 82 per cent of mould species and also remove the musty smell. Let the solution still for half an hour. Next, wipe off the mould using a clean cloth. For stubborn stains, scrub the surface with a brush. Spray the solution again and leave it for another 5-10 minutes. This will vanish away the remaining mould spores. Tip: Never use vinegar on natural stone surfaces, such as granite and marble. You can use baking soda instead.

3. Sprinkle Baking Soda

Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda is a versatile cleaning product that can be used as a scouring agent, a stain remover, disinfectant and deodoriser. You can use this magical ingredient to kill mould and musty odours from your basement. All you need to do is to sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on floors and furniture to treat the unpleasant smell. You can also make a paste of it for hard-to-reach areas. Leave it in direct sunlight for half an hour. For walls and flooring, open the windows or turn on the fans to let it dry quickly. After that, vacuum your carpets and furniture properly. Wipe the floors and walls using damp cloth.

4. Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

You can also use hydrogen peroxide to treat mouldy stains from your basement surfaces. It works wonders in removing stubborn stains, black spores and bad odours. The best part is that it is a natural cleaning agent that can help you achieve sparkling results without much elbow grease.

5. Use Borax

Many professional end of lease cleaners in Geelong also use borax to treat mould and mildew. You just need to mix one cup of borax with a gallon of warm water and apply this solution using a rag. Leave it for 5 minutes before wiping the surface with a clean rag. Do not forget to rinse the surface because borax will leave white residue behind. So, keep this thing in mind while cleaning mouldy surfaces with borax.

6. Scrub with Sandpaper

If you encounter the mould deep into the wood, then scrub it off with some sandpaper. It will help you get rid of mould with ease. Make sure you vacuum the surface using a HEPA filter to fetch dust particles, allergens and mould spores. This will also prevent the mould from spreading in the indoor air.

7. Try Activated Charcoal

This is one of the great hacks to banish odd odours from the areas like basements and mudrooms. Activated charcoal can absorb moisture and smell prevent in the air. It takes about one week for the charcoal to absorb all of this. Make sure you use only activated charcoal because many people bring charcoal briquettes- it won’t give you desired outcomes.

8. Install a Dehumidifier

It is the best tool that can help you fetch moisture from the air and also garb the airborne particles that are causing unpleasant smells in the basement. Dehumidifiers can control the moisture levels and also absorb musty smells.

Conclusion

These tips will help you banish musty smells from your basement. Make sure you keep the windows open during cool and dry weather and let the natural light and fresh air get in. Also, get rid of stagnant air and darkness if you want to prevent the spread of mould and mildew. If you are running at the end of your tenancy, then hire certified experts for an affordable end of lease cleaning in Geelong and impress your landlord.