Mold in My Basement

My once mold-free basement now stinks with moldy smell. The dehumidifier hasn't stopped it. What can I do to clean it? Stop the mold? Do I have to throw everything away? The carpet, too?

Sten from Marshfield, MA

Answers:

Mold in My Basement

Have you checked the dehumidifier for mold? if there is any way to open the windows and any doors and completely dry out the area it would be great. fans help too. Pull up a corner of the carpet and see if there is any visible mold there. If you can't see it anywhere, you may have to call in professionals that can test for mold.

Be aware that there are so many types of mold from harmless to deadly that they are bound to find something and they make it sound like you absolutely have to kill it or you'll get sick. Get the results from them and do your own research and go from there. (08/17/2006)

By carla bledsoe

Mold in My Basement

This will probably require drastic measures, but will save your possessions. I had a child severely allergic to mold and this method of eliminating it from the basement (the spores were travelling throughout our home via heating ducts) was prescribed by our doctor. It was 35 years ago, and the ingredients may not be readily available, but well worth the effort.

YOU AND ALL PETS AND CHILDREN MUST LEAVE YOUR HOME FOR 24 TO 48 HOURS TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO HUMANS FROM THE PROCESS.

Purchase a 16 or 32 oz bottle of formaldehyde (THIS IS POISON) from a pharmacist or a greenhouse supplier. Lumber yards sometimes carry it too. Wear SAFETY GOGGLE, A MASK AND RUBBER GLOVES while preparing several empty tuna fish cans, pouring 1/2 inch of the liquid into each, and setting them around the area needing decontamination.

All the mold will be totally stopped within a full day and it won't come back if you continue to keep the area dry and dehumidifed.

I am sure that there are professional "fixers" who can do this, but not very frugal. The only cost is the bottle of liquid formaldehyde and the trouble of staying out of the house for a day or more.

As I said, lot of trouble but very reliable and FRUGAL.

(08/17/2006)

By Judith Pier

Mold in My Basement

There is a terrific new non-toxic mold product called MoldZyme. It removes mold from any surface safely and effectively and will also remove that musty odor you mention. Go to www.moldzyme.com for product info. (08/18/2006)

By tom schneider