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Re: mildew smellFrom:
Category: Bath
Remote Name: 205.188.209.102
Date: 28 Oct 2003
Time: 07:46 AM
CommentsHOW WE QUICKLY AND INEXPENSIVELY GOT RID OF OUR MILDEW/MOLD SMELL
SUMMARY
We had a horrendous mold and/or mildew smell in our bathroom and were able to eliminate it within 3 days of starting treatment. The treatment was made up of hints we gleaned from many web sites. We assembled those hints here to share with you how we brought our problem under control quickly and cheaply.
THE PROBLEM
Water seeped through cracks in grout between our shower tiles.
We removed 3-4 tiles and learned both sheet rock and insulation behind it were sodden. The mildew/mold smell was sickening and overwhelming.
STOPGAP MEASURES
Since there is a 2’ high opening above doors leading from stinky master bathroom to master closet, we quickly removed all clothes and bedding from closet. We wanted to avoid these items absorbing the smell. Later, we were thankful we did this quickly as smell surely would have permeated clothes -- and we would have a secondary cleaning chore on our hands.
Next, we closed the door between stinky master bathroom and bedroom to contain the smell. We even put an old towel on the floor against the door to block smell from coming under the door.
RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM
After searching the Internet, we learned we needed to attack the problem in 2 stages-- 1) Getting rid of the mildew and 2) Getting rid of the mildew smell.
STAGE 1 GETTING RID OF MILDEW
Wearing rubber gloves, we removed all tile, sheet rock and sodden, mildew-y insulation from bathtub area. This left the 2x4 studs and the outside wall.
To avoid breathing in (invisible) mildew spores, we wore a high quality breathing mask -- the kind that filters out even paint fumes (it cost about $15 at Home Depot; the cheap 50 cent masks are useless here). We didn’t want any pulmonary problems so we wore a mask the entire time we worked in the bathroom.
We mixed 1/2 cup detergent -- not soap -- with 1 gallon water. (We used Arm & Hammer’s Fabricare detergent from WalMart). Still wearing rubber gloves, we scrubbed every mildew-y 2x4 with detergent using a stiff bristle brush. We changed water when it turned black -- every few minutes.
Still wearing gloves, we then sprayed bleach water -- mixed 1 part bleach to 1 part water -- on 2x4s. It is important bleach contain sodium hypochlorite - at least 5.5%. WalMart’s GREAT VALUE Ultra Bleach contains 6%.)
To remove as many (invisible) mildew spores as possible, we also sponged bleach water onto plastic-covered outside wall and onto counter tops and onto floor.
We turned bathroom exhaust fan on to pull out strong bleach smell. Our bathroom window isn’t designed to open or we would have opened it. We put a fan in the bathroom to circulate air and speed drying.
STAGE 2 GETTING RID OF MILDEW SMELL
We went to WalMart and bought--
--14 boxes (an arbitrary number) of baking soda, about 50 cents a box
--two 8-ounce containers (an arbitrary number) of activated carbon (charcoal) -- the kind used for fish aquarium filters, about $5 each. Don’t bother using non-activated charcoal.
We poured baking soda and charcoal (we did not mix them together) into dinner plates and baking pans -- to a 1/2” depth. We figured it was better to have many pans of baking soda/charcoal poured to a shallow depth than fewer pans poured to a deeper depth -- more surface area for absorbing odors.
Then we set the plates on the bathroom floor and counters.
We put a floor fan on the bathroom counter -- not on the floor where it would blow the baking soda around -- and kept fan running -- while we were home -- for about 3 days. We figured the fan would blow stinky air over the baking soda/charcoal and speed up the smell absorption process.
For safety, we turned fan off while we were gone from home and at night.
Every couple hours, we stirred up the baking soda/charcoal. We figured this brought fresh granules from the bottom of the plates to the top -- and these would better absorb the stinky air.
THE RESULT
After 18 hours of the baking soda/charcoal treatment, the smell has diminished noticeably -- maybe 80%.
After 36 hours, it’s barely detectable! We no longer wear a mask while we’re in the bathroom.
After 72 hours, we move our clothes back into our closet.
We still have to get our handyman in to rebuild the tub enclosure area -- but the stinky smell is gone. Hallelujah!
Good luck getting rid of your mildew smell!
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