MOLD HELP/ basement dank

Other than a de-humidifier, which I cannot afford at this time, can anyone relay advice or experiences reguarding combatting MOLD and that basement dank stench?

My basement is suffering and I recently had to throw out a vintage record player that was infested with mold that looked like MOSS (as well as affecting shoes that were there as well) and now with the weather change, it's getting harder to maintain the room with that unpleasant smell.

I know now to keep things clear from the moldy area but can anyone recommend cleaning products, ANYTHING to help with the smell or mold? Thanks.

Bleach.

And ventilators.

I'm not kidding, I used to get mold on my shower curtain liner, then I poured a few capfuls of Colorox into a spray bottle, filled the rest with water, and once a week I spray the thing down. No more mold.

Bleach is a bastard.

If you're renting you may want to contact your landlord to check for leaks.

Otherwise, FridgeMagnet and MisterSatan have got it. Kill the stuff off with bleach and keep the place well ventilated. Take anything you might want to keep safe out of the basement.

The way fraternity boys deal with this sort of thing is bleach, mops, simple green, neutral cleaner, raid, and mineral spirits, two cannisters of each, applied to the basement until all living things therein are dead. Please note that the last time we did this I developed mild asthma, so do not ever do this.

Get a little bit of bleach and spray it around. Maybe open your windows and set a lot of fans down there if you have standing water.

Dead sick? Can you explain without being graphic (as I just signed on for another year)?

Second thought I think I'm fucked.

If you are renting, that is something that the landlord should be held liable to fix/repair.
In the meantime, mix bleach and water (1 part bleach to 4 parts water) and spray that shit down. It will kill what mold is there already, but it will not prevent new mold from growing. As it's been said, the only way to avoid that is to stop the moisture from coming in.

There are comercial fungicides that will kill inhibit regrowth. You can get them at janitorial suply houses.

i'm pretty sure your landlord is going to be required to correct the problem - it's a health hazard, and is most likely covered by their homeowner's insurance. i'd get on them asap to fix it - you don't want to fuck around with mold and stuff - it likes wet places. like your lungs.

CORRECTION!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know if this helps but NO there is no mold growing ANYWHERE.

Except I left a prized pile of vintage record players and cases (it figures) and shoes in this one corner. One day I noticed moisture droplets/condensation/sweat on small parts of the wall near that corner.

On the floor in that one corner (ONLY that one corner) there is like, dirt or something. It's weird I know. That was why I stacked all that shit near it to cover it up. I noticed my shoes there had mold and then the one record player had to be thrown out due to MOSS practically.

This corner is actually closest to the window. Isn't that weird?

But oddly no mold will grow on the walls or floor or nothing. It was just that shit I left (maybe it only grows on expensive, irreplacable collectables)

I will take this advice of spraying that wall with bleach-water.

Also, anyone heard of volcanic rocks being used to keep that "dank" smell out? Right now I'm utilizing oil burners to make it smell pleasant. Incense as well of course. I clean so frequently, I'm surprised I still get that dank-stank sometimes.

Thanks for all of the advice so far (except Clara's death warning-I'd rather be surprised!) and please keep it coming..............ask your pops and Grandpops--they're like basement experts.

deadly mold

The dark ways of clustering Mold... FEAR.

Thanks for the suggestion but I did a search and found these images for example



(WHOHAWHOAOAOA to the seconnd one!)

but I thank you Jesus that is NOT what I have!!!!!

It's dirt actually. I am probably painting an image of all out horror in my house here. I'm ashamed.

[Edited on Jul 22, 2005 by AverageGroupie]

You have water penetration in your basement which is creating a happy mold environment, and the odor. You or your landlord need to figure out what's causing it and fix it. Likely suspects: bad gutters, rotted windows or leaking plumbing. The mold isn't likely to grow on hard surfaces, it likes shoes books and paper. The good news is is unlikely to be toxic. Toxic mold is a byproduct of tightly sealed houses and modern HVAC. What you likely have is good old fashioned rising damp.

Yes, my house is very old...

This stuff works great. I have a damp apartment and it helps a lot. It's also not very expensive.

This thread is gross.

I was having the same issue in my old house. ^^^ Damp rid works well but you'll need 2 of more of them spread out. I was also pretty broke but found a dehumidifier at a tag sale for like $10.

Hey Romeo.
I don't wanna go.
Dooown to the basement.
There's mold down there.