How to Stop Mold Growth in a Wet Basement
A basement is an ideal breeding ground for mold, especially when water is allowed to stand. If your wet basement has developed mold, the first thing you will need to do is remove the water permanently so that the mold does not come back. Then you can kill the existing mold to stop it from coming back.
- Put on protective gear before working with mold. You should wear a respiratory mask, rubber gloves, pants and long sleeves when working in a wet basement that contains mold.
- Open up all of the windows and doors in the basement so that the basement is properly ventilated. You want to allow the air in the basement to circulate. A wet basement that has improper ventilation is a prime breeding ground for mold.
- Wash any clothing, fabric or curtains that has become wet or has mold on it in a washing machine with a single cup of vinegar. After it has finished the first wash cycle, add laundry detergent and run the washing machine again.
- Dispose of any items that are unsalvageable. Mold can eat through the surface of organic materials over time. Anything that has been damaged due to mold should be bagged up in plastic garbage bags and thrown away.
- Fix the problem that is causing water to be in your basement. In order to prevent mold from coming back, you will need to determine the source of the water and repair the problem.
- Mix a cleaning solution that is equal parts of bleach and water. Use this cleaning solution to remove all of the mold that has formed in your basement. Allow the bleach to stand on the surface of the mold for a few minutes before wiping the area clean with a wet rag.
- Run an air purifier in the basement to help eliminate the mold spores that are in the air. It is important to remove mold spores from the basement because they can settle on other surfaces and cause further mold to form.