Southern Indiana has recently had some heavy rain. If you have suffered with water damage, make sure you check out our tips. We don’t want you to have mold.
When homes suffer from water damage or high humidity, the musty odors that linger are commonly the result of mold or mildew, which thrives in damp, warm, and dark places. We use EPA registered disinfectants, fungicides and mildewcides, cleaning solutions, state-of-the-art equipment, HEPA filtration devices, and have extensive mold remediation training and experience. Once the mold/mildew is removed and effectively cleaned (clearance testing recommended), we use commercial dehumidifiers, air moving equipment to thoroughly dry the affected area, reducing the ability for spores to germinate and grow.
Proper remediation of mold not only reduces the odor but also prevents personal exposure, which can contribute to many health-related problems. Mold-sensitive individuals may exhibit allergy symptom, asthmatic symptoms, or irritant reactions.
While we recommend calling us for remediation service, there are still steps homeowners can take to mitigate related odors on their own. For you to properly control odors in their house, the affected area needs to have any mold properly removed first.
Tips to remove mold-related odors:
- Inspect damp areas throughout your home that could support mold growth.
- If the affected area is less than 10 square feet, it can be cleaned by scrubbing the surface with a mixture of household detergent and water.
- Bleach should never be used, as it only kills live mold, but not mold spores, which could lead to faster growth.
- In order to thoroughly dry an area, use dehumidifiers, air-moving machines and fans.
- If the problem is larger in scale, specifically for areas over 10 square feet, it is still best to hire a restoration company that can provide industrial-strength machines and has the proper training and experience.
Musty-smelling carpets are both unpleasant and dangerous.
Did you know that unless there has been an actual flood, getting rid of musty smells from carpets is relatively simple? Here are several ways to neutralize odors from fabrics:
- Ensure materials and air are dry
- Keep relative humidity below 60%
- Clean area carpets and fabrics
- For carpets, you use baking soda, which is a natural deodorizer. After the carpet is completely dry, sprinkle baking soda liberally and allow it to sit overnight. The next day, simply vacuum it up. Baking soda is completely safe for people and pets and will not damage the carpet.
- On upholstery, use white vinegar to absorb the odor. Fill a spray bottle and spritz it on the upholstery. Let it air-dry. The strong smell of vinegar, along with the musty odors, will be gone once it has dried.
For larger carpeted areas
- Make sure the area in question is dry.
- A musty odor could indicate a water problem. If you discover that you do indeed have a water leak, take care of the source first, then dry completely – open windows and use dehumidifiers and fans if necessary.
- If the home was recently flooded, call in a professional restoration company to determine the extent of the damage and whether the carpet can be saved.
- Once the water problem is fixed, and the carpet is dry, vacuum to remove debris and help the odor dissipate faster.
- Additional Methods
- Use a hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix five parts water with one-part hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle, then apply the solution to the back of the carpet. Be sure to spot test in a small, inconspicuous area first, as hydrogen peroxide can bleach some fabrics.
- Carpet Cleaning – First, vacuum the carpets. For best results, have carpets cleaned with hot water extraction by a professional cleaner such as PuroClean.
Remember to give some time for the natural deodorizers to take effect. The more the vinegar solution and baking soda sits, the better. Wait at least a few hours or leave it overnight for the best results.
If offensive smells permeate areas such as carpets, fabrics, and your pets’ favorite spots, here are some budget-friendly tips and reminders:
- Locate and remove the source of the smell.
- Hard surfaces such as countertops, tables, hard floors, and walls should be washed as needed.
- Fridge — An open box of baking soda kept in the fridge can help absorb offensive odors.
- Garbage disposal — Drop in crushed ice and some Borax, run for a minute, and rinse thoroughly with water.
- Fish and other generally nasty food smells – A cup of simmering vinegar on the stove will release vapors that absorb smells quickly. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Garbage can — The can should be washed out with water and white vinegar.
- Toilet — add a cup of white vinegar into the bowl, wait 5 minutes, then scrub and flush.
- Sink drain — mix a half cup of bleach and a half cup of water and pour it down the drain. Let it stand for an hour, then rinse with water.
For professional odor removal, give us a call!
