Water damage happens faster than you might think. That little drip you can't see under your cabinets, it's causing damage to not only the materials it is dripping on, but also spreading to the level below through the walls and flooring. Water damage is one of those home projects that's best left to professionals for repair. Failure to remove all of the damaged material will result in further damage and the potential for toxic mold growth.
So, once you have all of the damage repaired, how do you get that musty smell out of your home and belongings? Here, you'll find a few tips to help you do just that.
Hard Surface Cleaning
That musty odor can be trapped in all of the different hard surfaces, but it can be removed. Homemade solutions include:
- Hot Soapy Water – Dawn dish soap is one product that can safely be used on just about any material. Scrub everything down with very hot soapy water to remove dirt and fungi on the surface.
- Lemon and Water – Lemons are acidic which means they not only kill odors, but they eliminate the spores that cause the odors and lead to future growth. Mix equal parts of water and lemon juice in a spray bottle. Coat the area well and scrub. Rinse and repeat if necessary.
- White Vinegar – White vinegar can be used at full strength or watered down. Although the smell isn't pleasant, it does do a great job of eliminating mold and mildew in those harder-to-reach areas.
- Baking Soda – This is a great finishing step in treating the surfaces. After you've completed at least one of the above cleaning steps, apply the baking soda directly to the moistened area. Allow it to dry completely and use a brush, broom, or vacuum to remove the residue. This process should eat away the remaining odors hiding deep in the surfaces.
Soft Surface Cleaning
In most cases, it's best to remove the carpet and padding that's been damaged, but what about the furniture and other soft surface items stored in that space? The best thing you can do for those items is to get them out into the sun for as long as possible.
The sun will not only help to dry the moisture from inside the fabric, but also kill mold spores that are trying to grow. After drying in the sun, use a quality vacuum with a HEPA filter on it to give it a good cleaning.
Talk with your water damage restoration professional to learn more about undoing the invisible odors the damage has left behind. For more info, reach out to a company such as GraEagle Construction LLC.
Are you looking at something that is damaged or worn? Chances are, that item could be made to look new again. It would just take the proper expertise, the right tools, and some patience. You might not have the expertise, tools, or patience yourself, but you can bet that a repair and restoration contractor does. These contractors can fix all sorts of things, from chairs to old toys. Some specialize, and others offer a great variety of services. Read a few articles of this blog to further widen your understanding of the repair and restoration industry and what it has to offer.