Fight damp, fight mold

Q: I brought up boxes stored in a basement, and they have a musty smell. How do I get the musty odor out?

A: If the boxes look moldy or smell musty, there's biological growth on them. It's best to dispose of them and get new ones.

But if the boxes are needed for specific purposes, aren't badly infested and you want to retain them, then treat them this way:

• If you can see mold growth, wait to clean it off until the materials are thoroughly dry. Prematurely cleaning the mold will grind it into the paper and cause stains that are often impossible to remove.

• Move the boxes to a dry environment with plenty of air circulation to dry them thoroughly and render the biological growth dormant. If stored for an extended period under these optimum conditions, the boxes eventually will no longer smell. At this point, the mold growth is dormant, not dead. Given the right conditions — damp, dark, little air circulation — the problem literally will bloom again. You can try killing the mold, if the area is small and obvious, by dabbing it with a solution of 10 parts water to one part chlorine bleach. But mold can be hidden beyond reach in the accordion folds of corrugated boxes.

• Brief exposure to sunlight and circulating air outdoors also may help get rid of the mildew smell.

• Remember that mold is a hazard. If you suspect or see mold, wear protective clothing — including gloves and a mask — while cleaning.

If you have any adverse health effects, contact a physician.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health and University of Minnesota Extension Service

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