If you just walked into your basement to find that an unwanted guest has made itself comfortable on the walls, corners, and ceilings – do not freak out. It is possible to get rid of mold, and surprisingly enough, it does not require any special skills or equipment. Of course, the scope of the problem will determine whether you need professional help, but if you can tell that things have not gotten out of hand – do not procrastinate; mold can grow and spread very fast. Use our guide on how to get rid of mold in basement to get into action.
Things You’ll Need
Here are a few things that you will need to get rid of mold in your basement.
Mold cleaner
- GET RID OF STUBBORN MOLD AND MILDEW STAINS: Our instant spray cleaner removes the stains left behind from black mold and mildew. They tend to leave behind ugly staining that can go deep below the surface
- REMOVE UNWANTED ODORS: Keep your home free of musty, damp smells that are usually left behind by other sprays; Our spray is great to use in the kitchen, toilet area, drywall and on vinyl shower curtains
- FAST-ACTING SPRAY: Our fast-acting mold stain remover spray, instantly targets deeply embedded stains that linger between bathroom tiles, in grout lines, under the sink, and on shower doors
- NO SCRUBBING NEEDED: Simply spray our ready-to-use formula on the affected area and watch the stains disappear right before your eyes!
- SAFE TO USE ON MULTIPLE SURFACES: Easily remove stains from bathtubs, decks, wood, vinyl siding, drywall, concrete floors, brick walls, kitchen and bathroom tiles and other areas where mold and mildew tend to grow
Spray bottle
- 【HDPE Eco-Friendly Material】Empty Spray Bottles for Cleaning Solutions are Manufactured With Strong HDPE, the BPA-Free Plastic Durable and Chemical Resistant. Cleaning Spray Bottle Unlike Glass, No Longer Need to Worry About the Bottle Shattering If It Accidentally Falls.
- 【No Leak And Clog】Spray Bottles for Cleaning Solutions is Constructed with No Rubber Parts; Our Sprayer Features a Long-Lasting Polypropylene Spray Head, Tight and Secure Cap Closure, Internal Cap Gasket, 302 Stainless Steel Spring and a Precision Valve and Piston, so No Clog and Leak; A Proven and Reliable No Leak Venting System Primes Quickly and Stays Primed.
- 【Adjustable Nozzle】water spray bottle Rotate the Nozzle Before Use. From a Fine Mist To a Solid Stream, The Sprayer Can Be Easily Adjusted to Suit Your Needs. Extended Suction Tube Gets Every Last Drop
- 【Multifunction Use Cleaning Supplies】16oz 1 Pack Lightweight Alcohol spray bottle are Semi-Opaque and Come Equipped with an Adjustable Spray Nozzle. Use plant spray bottle around the House, Pet, Lawn and Garden and Watering Plants, Succulents, Herbs, Ironing, Laundry, Car Detailing, BBQ, bleach spray, Homemade DIY Cleaning Spray Bottle
- 【No Hassle Guarantee】Spray Bottle for plants are 3 Years Replacement and 2 Years No Questions Asked Money Back Guarant
Scrubbing brush
- 🔶【5 Pack Grout Cleaning Brushes】-Multiple uses, including Scrub Brush×2, Tile Lines Brush×1, Groove Gap Brush×1, Scouring Pad Brush×1
- 🔶【Scrub Brush】：Ergonomic design-Comfortable grip.It can clean the swimming pool/tile/bathroom etc.
- 🔶【Tile Lines Brush】: Help clean the corners of your home.It can clean the tile seam/car/tiny gap, etc.
- 🔶【Groove Gap Brush】: It has two heads for you to use to clean some extremely difficult stains.It can clean the kitchen stove/window cracks/stubborn stains etc.
- 🔶 【Scouring Pad Brush】Large-scale decontamination.It can clean the sink/tableware/stainless steel, e
Clean sponge
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Durable scrubber is 4x stronger with DURAFOAM cleaning performance vs. the leading all-purpose bleach Spray
- This cleaning scrubber is tough on dirt, all around the house! Surface cleaner, wall cleaner, bathtub cleaner, bathroom cleaner, oven door cleaner, erases marks on light switches, doors & much more!
- Great for sneaker shoe cleaning. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers tackle tough marks, stuck-on dirt and scuffs to get your shoes looking like new.
- The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser provides a powerful clean with water alone. No harsh chemicals added. Store in a cool place.
- Magic Erasers are also available in Kitchen, Original, and Bhatroom fo
How to Get Rid of Mold in a Basement in 8 Steps
Step 1: Investigate the scope of the problem.
In order to get rid of mold in your basement, you first need to check the scope of the problem. If there are areas of mold larger than 3 meters (ten square feet), then you may need to get professional help. It is better to contact a qualified mold remediation contractor. However, if there are small mold patches on the walls and ceiling and other furniture, you can do the job yourself.
Step 3: Select a cleaning agent that works best for you.
Once you have decided to start cleaning and removing yourself, it is best to decide on a cleaning agent beforehand. You have several options to work with. You can use diluted bleach or diluted Borax as a cleaning agent. Alternatively, you can also use undiluted vinegar, baking soda solution, or 3% hydrogen peroxide.
However, we recommend using a ready-made Mold Cleaner – there are many options available in both spray or solution form and can be easily bought online. They will save you time and effort and will also be more effective than any homemade cleaning solution.
Step 2: Remove contaminated items.
This is where the cleaning process starts. Make sure to wear protective gear like gloves and an N-95 respirator to protect against stirred-up airborne spores. Then remove any items that have been affected by mold. This can include cardboard boxes, furniture, clothing, etc., throw away whatever is disposable, wash and dry the clothes, and deep clean any wooden furniture. Upholstered furniture with visible mold will either need to be disposed of or reupholstered.
Step 4: Apply the cleaning agent and let it sit
To get rid of mold, first, conduct a patch test by applying the cleaning agent on a small area of the surface that you will be cleaning with it. This is to make sure that the cleaning agent is not damaging the surface. If all is clear, then move ahead with the application on all the affected areas. If you are using a ready-made aerosol, just spray it; if you are using a solution you made yourself or even bought online, simply put it in a bucket and use a cleaning rag. Dip the cleaning rag/sponge in the solution and scrub the affected areas with it. Let is sit for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Scrub Thoroughly.
Make sure to scrub the solution on all small corners and crevices. It will be easier to get to the more visible areas on the walls and other places, but to get rid of the mold completely, you will need to make sure mold is eliminated from the nooks and crannies so it can’t spread and grow again.
Try to rinse your sponge as often as possible to avoid spreading the mild residue. If you are using a spray bottle, adjust the nozzle to get the jet of the cleaning agent in narrower spots.
Step 6: Rinse with clean water.
Once done with the scrubbing or spraying, use a clean sponge or rag to wipe down the area with water. Keep changing the water as you progress through the entire basement. After the affected areas have dried off, check for any missed moldy spots, and repeat the cleaning and rinsing process on missed areas. To speed up the drying process, open any windows and doors to allow for ventilation.
Step 7: Keep the humidity in check.
After putting in all the effort to get rid of mold in your basement, you certainly would not like for it to find its way back into your home. Humid, damp, and dark conditions are ideal for mold to grow. Therefore, keep the humidity of your basement in check. You can do this in several ways.
Firstly, ensure proper ventilation in your basement. If you live in a very humid climate, consider running an air conditioner or dehumidifier. If you have a humidifier, clean and treat it with an antimicrobial solution.
Step 8: Replace vinyl wall coverings (if applicable) and cover any bare earth flooring
Finally, these are some additional preventative measures that you can take to get rid of mold. If your basement has vinyl wall coverings, consider removing them as they trap humid air between the drywall and the wallpaper. Use paint or wall coverings with permeable paper backings instead.
Similarly, crawlspaces with bare earth flooring transmit a lot of moisture. Either get flooring done by a professional or cover the bare earth flooring yourself using 6-mill poly sheeting. Ensure that the basement is cooled, heated, and humidified equally with the rest of the house.
Our Final Thoughts
A moldy basement can be some people’s worst nightmare. Mold growing on the ceiling and walls of your basement can not only leave the place with an obnoxious smell, but it also spreads really quickly, damaging any items you have in store. However, getting rid of this problem is not as hard as you may think, and we hope that with our step-by-step guide on how to get rid of mold in the basement, you are able to ensure that it never finds its way back into your house.
