Your basement is often the most neglected space in your home,
but with a little care it can be transformed into anything from a suitable
storage spot to an extra room. The first step in utilizing your basement is
to keep it clean – as the location is below ground they present different
challenges thanks to the additional moisture in the air. Let’s take a look at
the best way to keep your floor sparkling
clean:
Prepare
As basements are at risk
of mold and mildew, they have different cleaning requirements. Some of these
products can be toxic and dangerous if used in incorrectly, so ensure you
have all the protective equipment you need (such as goggles, plastic gloves,
a mask etc.) You should also have some kind of equipment on hand to assist
with ventilation.
Sweep and Clear
Next
you need to prepare the area by clearing the entirety of the floor space and
sweeping. Do this task twice: once to get the main debris up and twice to
collect the fine dust. You can use a vacuum cleaner if you
prefer.
Scrub
You should now spot clean
any troublesome areas – particularly if you can see any mold spots appearing.
Mold needs to be cleaned with a specialized cleaner or you can use laundry
detergent, trisodium phosphate (one ounce each) mixed with laundry bleach
(one quart) and three quarts of water. Use a stuff nylon brush – never metal.
Ensure to be careful not to inhale the mixture whilst scrubbing, rinse, and
allow to dry. If you have extremely stubborn stains you can use stronger
cleaners but be aware this may cause
discoloration.
Mop
Make a mix using hot
water and floor cleaner, or make your own using dish soap, white vinegar, and
a squeeze of lemon for scent. Mop the floor and replace the cleaning mixture
when necessary. Clean in small sections. Afterwards you might want to look
into re-waterproofing the room if there was more damp than expected.
