Three questions for any item
- IfThe item is non-porous: metal, glass, hard plastic, sealed tileClean with detergent and water, dry thoroughly, and keep it.
- IfThe item is porous and was only exposed to humid air, with no visible growthTry cleaning or laundering and drying; keep it if the smell is gone afterward.
- IfThe item is porous and was wet or shows visible growthUsually discard unless it has high value, in which case ask a specialist.
- IfThe item was touched by sewage or floodwaterDiscard porous items. Clean and disinfect non-porous items thoroughly.
Common basement materials
| Material | Usually | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet pad | Discard | Hard to dry and clean; inexpensive to replace relative to effort |
| Carpet | Depends | Can sometimes be cleaned if only humidity-exposed and the pad is replaced |
| Drywall, lower section | Discard if wet or stained | Cut out above the damage line; check the back side |
| Wood paneling | Depends | Back side is the tell; growth behind it means removal |
| Upholstered furniture | Usually discard if musty throughout | Foam and batting hold odor deeply |
| Wood furniture, solid | Clean | Wipe, dry and air out; check undersides and drawers |
| Clothing and linens | Launder | Wash, dry fully, and smell before storing |
| Books and paper | Discard unless valuable | Mildew in paper rarely leaves completely |
| Photos and documents | Seek advice | Scan or copy first; ask a conservator for originals |
| Plastic bins and shelving | Clean | Wash, dry and reuse |
Sorting day checklist
- Set up three areas: keep, clean, discard. Do the sorting outside or in the garage if possible.
- Wear gloves and a dust mask when handling musty items.
- Photograph discard items, especially anything of value.
- Do not move musty items to upstairs rooms until they are cleaned and smell-free.
- Wash hard items with detergent, not just a scented wipe.
- Let cleaned items dry fully in sun or a dry room before returning them to the basement.
- Return only what you need, in bins, on shelves, away from walls.
Common questions
- Can sunlight really help a musty item?
- For fabrics, hard goods and some furniture, a few hours of dry Colorado sun and moving air often help a lot after cleaning. It does not fix items that are still damp inside or that have visible growth deep in padding.
- What about family heirlooms and quilts?
- Do not wash or bleach fragile textiles, old photographs or important papers on your own. Keep them dry and separate from other items, and ask a textile or paper conservator how to proceed.
- Is it safe to keep a musty mattress if it smells better after airing?
- Mattresses and box springs are thick and hard to dry. If one got wet or shows staining, replacement is usually the safer choice, especially for a bed someone sleeps on every night.
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.