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Green Cleanup for a Flooded Basement?
Good Question

2007-07-06-FloodedBasement.jpgQ: Our basement recently flooded and I was just wondering if anyone knew of any green-friendly clean-up solutions? I don't want to spread chemicals throughout the basement to clean up the musty smell, so I'd love some solutions that will work that don't involve heavy chemicals and things that set off allergies...

 
 

...Would also love to hear about any flood prevention tips that anyone has (ours was caused by the city sewer system being shut down and backing up into everyone's homes). Thanks for your advice!

- Sent in by Jill

Editor: Sorry to hear about the wet basement, Jill! Here are a few ideas...

  • Natural Dehumidifiers from Allergy Asthma Tech. They don't need to be plugged in and are inexpensive enough that you could place several throughout the space to continue gathering moisture.

  • White Vinegar is a natural deodorizer/disinfectant. A basic formula of one part vinegar to 4 parts water is good for cleanup, and it can be diluted further to mop the floor as well.

  • A natural air freshener recipe: 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vinegar (or lemon juice) and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle

  • Baking Soda in small bowls and containers place around the space will continue to absorb odors.

  • We've read about (but haven't tried) Zeolite, which is a mineral that also can absorb odors in the air.

    More green deodorizing ideas or flood prevention tips are welcome!

    Got a good question you'd like answered? Send your queries and a photo or two illustrating your question, and we'll see if the Re-nest editors or our readers can help answer your question.

    Photo via: Lickety Knit

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    Comments (2)

    I had a similar situation happen to me a few weeks ago and used a dehumidifier to get rid of the musty smell and then cleaned the floors down with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar.

    After the floors dried I went back and mopped with an all purpose disinfectant, which is made of 4 cups of water, 5 drops of natural soap, and 30 drops of tea tree and/or lavender essential oil. The essential oils have disinfecting properties.

    I would recommend an energy star dehumidifier and using the collected water for plants, car washing, or whatever else tickles your fancy.

    posted by alllebasii on August 12th 2009 at 1:28pm
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    Flooding that comes from backed-up sewers, hurricanes, flash floods that affect sewers etc bring biological contaminants that flooding from busted clean water pipes and basic rain leaks don't. Basically you have to treat it like you would toilet water AFTER you used the toilet to put it bluntly.

    Contaminated water should never be reused, the area should be disinfected (not green I know, but bleach is a standard and safe remedy), and anything porous should be discarded.

    Try looking at the recent news coverage for Louisville KY (like the Courier-Journal) for some flood cleanup information or past coverage of Katrina etc.

    posted by Faithbck on August 12th 2009 at 6:18pm
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