Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Home & Garden


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

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...

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

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

Fix It is an occasional feature in digs. Send your questions to fixit@startribune.com. Sorry, no personal replies.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company

More Home & Garden headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Ready, set, knit: Quick projects for holiday gifts

Rules to dine by when eating in restaurants with kids

Washington businesses break ties to industrial-food chain

This holiday gift list lets your conscience be your guide

Northwest Living: On Whidbey, a unified home from multiple recycled parts

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising