Basement cleaning solution?

[fishinchicks]

Our basement flooded almost a month ago. We had the bottom of the sheet rock cut off, and had fans/dehumidifiers running to dry everything out. We are almost to the point of putting in carpeting, but I wanted to wash the cement floor, and the exposed block walls that may still be the source of a faint musty smell.

What would be the best thing to use? A bleach solution, regular household cleaners? (I typically use Mrs. Meyers from Target.)

I tore the last of the carpet off of the stairs yesterday, and I'll probably want to use this solution on the wood on the steps as well.

I can't wait until this project is complete! We only had 2.5 inches of water, and it was clean water, but it sure wreaks havoc on a finished basement.

[pureinsanity]

several of the bigger stores have concrete cleaner. some work better then others at removing stains, I would try that first.

[CAMAN]

A TSP (trisodium phosphate) and bleach solution should work for you. Mix about 1/4 cup of TSP and 1/3 gallon of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Add more water if it seems too strong for the severity of you mildew.

Just keep it away from metals and the tile grout. Otherwise it is safe to use most anywhere.

[Surface Tension]

Sorry to hear that.

+1 on TPS and bleach.

I don't know how many ppm of chlorine is bad for you but from the sounds of it your going to be exposed for a long enough time that I'd be careful.

Vent the basement well with fans pushing air in and air out.

[FishLocker]

Sorry to hear that.

+1 on TPS and bleach.

I don't know how many ppm of chlorine is bad for you but from the sounds of it your going to be exposed for a long enough time that I'd be careful.

Vent the basement well with fans pushing air in and air out.

I would use a respirator. You can get them from the big box lumber stores. Just make sure your filter is good for bleach. Personally I would use a Quat with all 4 of the available quat solutions in it. You have to go to a specialty supply store that does water damage restoration. And they also need respirators...but they work a lot better and also give you up to a 6 month residual protection.

I am now retired from water damage restoration, but feel free to PM me if you have questions or want a better idea where to look for product.

the FishLocker

[fishinchicks]

If you all are recommending the use of a respirator, that's not good. I would have to have someone else do it while I am not home - it would trigger my asthma for sure. I am sensitive to certain cleaners.