Mildew odor quick fix needed

Hello,

I bought a house that sat empty for 6 months with mold growing in the basement for at least that amount of time (they weren't clean people).
I have cleaned the mold off of the wood paneling with a disinfectant and I've attempted to air out the basement on weekends when I'm home. I've added ventalation & I'm running the dehumidifier but their is still an odor. I need to be rid of the smell by Saturday night as I'm having a house warming party.
I hate odor covering products like plug in air freasheners, to me they make things smell worse. Any suggestions for removing the odor would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't think there's any quick fixes for the odor other than the freshener you don't want to use. You are doing good! Airing out and dehumidifiying is going to help-use a fan if that will help. You may want to try cleaning areas that are washable with bleach (3/4 cups with 1 gallon of water). Always check in a small spot first to make sure it is safe for that surface. You have to stop the mildew growth otherwise you will still have that musty odor.

 

chances are the mold/mildew is more than on the surface. The moisture can be in floor joists, drywall, carpet etc. Just cleaning the surface isnt going to do it. Airing it out and dehumidifer is a good start. Would really need to know more info before i can say more..is there drywall behind the paneling? Insulation? Carpet? Adding more dehumidifers would also help. Professional help in this situation may be the best thing. 6 months is along time for something to be growing and left without a solution.

 

Quick fix: this is just for the party?

For a couple of nights, spray as strong a solution of bleach as you can protect your self against on all surfaces the bleach won't ruin: walls, floor, ceiling. Bleach will kill the active mold.

[This is hell on your eyes, nose, and throat, so be careful. Goggles, mask, gloves, old clothes, long sleeves and pants. In fact, you could do this before work in the morning; take a shower and leave.]

The morning of the party, spray with neat distilled white vinegar every couple of hours [see warning above]. In this case, vinegar is just a masking agent; it does break down some odiferous compounds, but not, I think, those from mold. But vinegar is a great masking agent because it is sharp, not sweet.

For the party, if it will be safe, burn candles [even unscented will help] in the rooms in use; leave bowls of water and lemon juice [another great masking agent AND odor mover]; open the windows and put a fan in the attic, if possible, to move the air through the house.

But the absolute best way to mask the odor is to cook with garlic.

 

If you still smell it you still have mold!

 

there really is not a quick fix for this.There is a lot of factors that would have to be specified before one could give good advice for this,as some of the others have already posted.Would need to know more sq foot qould be good to know so u would know if u have the right dehumidfier or need more of them also if there is insulation ,because if therte is need to remove it clean area where it was and make sure it is dry behind insulation ,that could be ythe main source for your ordor.inculation already has ans odor so if it gets wet or has moisture added to it then it well get a musty odor and will always have one.But that is just an idea but couldn't begin to tell u what to actually do until i new more about the place. sorry hope i helped a little.

 

Thanks for the quick fixes to mask the odor.
I will fix the problem permenantly after the party but this is just a really bad time to be ripping out the paneling.

Have a great weekend everybody.

 

The bad thing about it is....its most likely going to be more complicated than just pulling out the paneling...if the house is older and asbestos is involved..it could be much much more involved. Mold is one of the things..i have seen that is most ignored but in the end it could be biggest problem.

 

Enzyme digester deodorizer to digest odor causing bacteria will be more effective than a perfumed product that temporarily masks odors. To permanently 'fix' the problem will require addressing the cause of the mold in the first place. Running dehumidifier to reduce humidity and fans to improve ventilation will not address moisture issues and mold and mildew in wall voids and beneath floor covering.

 

Lori, what did you do, and how well did it work?

Did any of our advice help?