Flooded Basement

Like many people in the area, my basement flooded during the heavy rains last week. We worked very hard to get rid of all of the water but I am worried about odor from the flood. When this happened before it took a long time to get rid of the smell. I do not have carpet but there are some chairs and a couch in the basement. Do you have any suggestions?

Certainly several people are dealing with the same issue that you are. Did you use any type of soap or cleaner to insure that the surfaces are really clean and not just water free? Cleaning the fabric on the chair and couch is a good place to start. Some heavy duty fans will make the process of totally drying the area easier and allow less time for mold and mildew to set up. Some people suggest spreading cat litter if the smell is limited to a small area. Also charcoal bricks may help absorb the odor. If these suggestions do not work, professional cleaning could be your best option. Investing in professional cleaning may be more economical than trying several costly home remedies.

Source: K. Depew, News Director