Cleaning the basement is not a job everyone enjoys. Unfortunately, it can’t be ignored forever. The problem with basement is that it tends to collect “junk” or items we see no more than once a year, such as holiday decorations. And once it is cluttered it gradually turns into a dumping ground.
Here are few tips for cleaning the basement:
Declutter
The first step to cleaning any room of the house is decluttering it. Throw away those items that will not be used in the near future. If you find something that belongs to some other part of the house, make sure that you keep it in the right place.
Scrub and clean
Start from the top of the basement. Clear out any cobwebs you find. Clean the light fixtures and wash the walls. If the basement floor is very dirty, you need a special cleaning agent. For that, mix detergent and a quarter cup of ammonia into a bucket of water. Dip a nylon brush into the solution and scrub and clean the floor. If there is too much dirt on the floor, you can add trisodium phosphate to the water while cleaning. Rinse and clean the area with a hose. If there are windows in the basement, use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean them.
Freshen up the basement
Mildews that are often found in the basement leave a bad odor and are not healthy for us to breathe in. If there are windows in the basement, open them so that some fresh air can ventilate the room. You can also use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the room. If there is fungus on the wall, mix 1 or 2 ounces of bleach with water in a spray bottle. Spray the fungus-infested area and scrub with a nylon brush.
Clean the efflorescence
Sometimes a white powder might appear on the concrete floor of the basement. It is called efflorescence. It appears when water seeps through the concrete and evaporates. To remove it, scrub the floor with a nylon brush. If the spot appears again, then you need to waterproof the basement floor.
Removing rust stains
Sometimes moving certain metal pieces can leave rust on the floor. To remove it, sprinkle some dry cement and rub it with a piece of flagstone used for paving the walkways. This helps with removing the stain.
Last but not the least, remember to apply a fresh coat of paint to the basement wall. If you are planning to use the basement for a specific purpose, you can even move the required furniture here. You can reconvert the basement to a TV room, reading room, the coveted “man cave” or even a playroom for the kids.