Spin-off: Basements & Smells

So my basement flooded this morning. And now it smells. I am paranoid about people walking into my house and noticing a smell. Any tips on how to get the the odor out for good? We have a small "English" basement as DH describes it and use a dehumidifier. I also will mop regularly with bleach, and if it's nice out I will often leave the windows open when I am at home. TIA!!

Re: Spin-off: Basements & Smells

You should air it out the best you can. open the windows and put a fan in them to blow the air out.

Also bleach and a good cleaning will help. And I burn oils from bath and body works... that helps too... try that as well.

Re: Spin-off: Basements & Smells

Do you have anything on the floors? Did any cardboard, paper, or fabric get wet? Most of the smells come from fibers getting wet. My basement floods once in a while, but I keep everything off the ground, either on plastic shelves, or pressure-treated wood. I have no noticeable smell in the basement.

Re: Spin-off: Basements & Smells

if its really bad, you could repaint the walls. if there is carpet put baking soda down then vaccume it in a few hours. our living room was really bad when we got the house but we took out the carpet and painted the walls and its great. good luck!!!

Re: Spin-off: Basements & Smells

We don't have carpeting thank goodness, but I think the smell is coming because there is panelling on some of the walls. DH is talking about gutting it all out this weekend so hopefully that will help with the smell. The basement has never been finished.

I also am going to spray some vinegar and water on the walls and wipe them down later if he decides not to do that.

I also looked online and there's something they sell at Home Depot called "Odor Gone" or something like that that I will try too.

Re: Spin-off: Basements & Smells

yea empty the room of everything, clean it out then seal it up (paint sealer for basement and dampness) this is what we are doing in a few more months. Run the dehumid during spring/summer and only open the windows when their is no or low humidity.