Summer promises to be particularly warm and humid, which means that Quebecers will not be immune to humidity smells emanating from the basement or elsewhere in the house; Here’s how to get rid of it simply and effectively.
Odor of mold, damp earth, withdrawn … humidity can cause bad smells in one of the rooms in the house, be it the basement, the bathroom, the kitchen or even the bedroom.
Here are 5 ways to hunt bad odors caused by humidity:
1- Baking soda and white vinegar
When the basement smells of humidity, it is possible to place several bowls filled with baking soda in different corners of the parts to absorb bad odors, according to Centris, a company specializing in real estate brokerage.
While the bicarbonate works, it is possible to clean the surfaces using a mixture of water and white vinegar on the surfaces and floors, to help remove the bad odors. Those who don’t like the smell of vinegar can also add lemon juice.
Artem Shadrin – stock.adobe.com
White vinegar and baking soda can also be used together in the various drains of the house from which the bad smells of humidity would escape, according to the Canadian mortgage and housing company (SCHL).
2- Plants that absorb humidity
Fans of green plants will be disappointed to learn that it is better to limit itself in its collection if your household suffers from a humidity problem. Indeed, pot plants would tend to accumulate humidity.
The SCHL thus recommends reducing the quantity, or to cover the top of the pots with aluminum, a hard plastic cover or a good layer of rocks to keep the water in the soil of the plant.
According to the city cleaners, a Quebec cleaning company, some plants help absorb humidity, such as Yucca and orchids.
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3- Unclutter the house
Boxes that drag on the floor, furniture glued to the wall, disorder: Make sure to declutter your rooms by leaving a space between the furniture and the wall to allow good air circulation and prevent humidity from accumulating, advises the SCHL.
It will be necessary to get rid of all the objects that clutter the soil unnecessarily, in particular the cardboard boxes which may have been placed at the bottom of a wardrobe or a storage space, and which should rather be stored in height.
In addition, it is better to keep carpets, clothes, covers and paper or cardboard products elsewhere than in the basement, where they tend to store humidity. As a last resort, store them in plastic bins with lid, rather than cardboard.
4- Valves, Valves, Valves
In the same vein, it is important to ventilate your home as much as possible, for example using the ventilation systems of the bathroom and the kitchen, during the shower or while the dishes simmer, in order to reduce condensation.
It is also preferable to dry your damp clothes outside, rather than in a closed room, if you do not have access to a dryer, and to open the windows when the weather is dry outside.
5- Dehumidifier
Obviously, to get rid of bad smells, the best way is to attack the source, that is to say by directly removing the humidity from a room.
To do this, it is possible to bring a dehumidifier to keep the room in an ideal rate between 30 and 50 % humidity, depending on the SCHL.
Presence of mold: what to do
If, trying to locate the source of the problem, you can see the presence of mold in your home, it is advisable to clean washable surfaces, such as window edges, wood, hard surfaces and tiles using a mixture of dish and hot water.
Marcus Krauss – stock.adobe.com
It is preferable to use an unspeakable dish liquid, to be able to feel the presence of mold if there are any left.
The chemicals and disinfectants supposed to kill mold, like bleach, can produce harmful vapors and do not prevent the reappearance of mold, specifies the SCHL on its site.
In any case, it is important to use protective glasses, a Mask for the N95 -type face and rubber gloves to protect yourself from mold particles that can be released during cleaning.
If the problem is too large or you suffer from mold related to mold, call on professionals to take care of cleaning.
