A flood or water damage in a home can be panic-inducing for anyone. Knowing what to do and acting quickly are key. Obviously, you first need to stop the source of the flood or water damage. Then you need to dry everything out and repair the damage. Here are some expert tips to keep in mind if you decide to do this work yourself so that you don’t inadvertently expose your home to mold growth and permanent dank or musty smells.
Remove all traces of water and dry affected areas
According to the disaster restoration specialists at Steamatic, here are the first steps to take in the event of a flood or water damage in a home:
Disconnect the power
Move furniture and electrical appliances to a safe, dry space.
Quickly sop up the water from the floor with old towels and a bucket. (If the sewers in your neighborhood aren’t blocked, you can pour the water down the drain. Otherwise, dump it on your lawn or any other permeable surface. Some vacuums can also pick up water.)
Dry the affected areas completely. (Using fans and dehumidifiers will help speed up the process.)
Note that wet drywall is a great medium for mold growth, so affected areas will probably need to cut away. For baseboard trim, Steamatic recommends taking a quick look: “If you have baseboard trim, take it up first, and if it’s made from pressboard it will likely not be salvageable. If it was wood, you might be able to save it.”
These above steps should be done as soon as possible.
Next, you need fully prevent mold growth. This step is not to be taken lightly. Otherwise, you may end up with poor air quality in your home, exposing you and your family to potential health problems such as asthma, respiratory problems, etc.
Disinfect and prevent mold growth
Once surface are dry, spray them with a good disinfectant to destroy any bacteria that may have come up through sewage and toilets. Be sure to treat any and all areas that may have been exposed to water. The disinfectant will eliminate the spore roots and prevent mold from growing. Always disinfect surfaces thoroughly and allow them to dry overnight.
Eliminating musty smells from water-damaged surfaces
Before closing up the walls or laying a new floor covering, make sure you get rid of all traces of musty smells first. Otherwise, the musty odor will remain and seep through your new walls and floors.
To get rid of damp or humid smells, use a product specifically designed for this purpose, such as Damp Odor Neutralizer.
For surfaces such as concrete, plywood, rough wood, walls, etc.:
Dilute ½ cup (120 ml) of Damp Odor Neutralizer in 1 gallon (4 liters) of water.
Use a spray bottle or cloth to apply diluted neutralizer directly to affected surface.
Allow surface to air dry.
Damp Odor Neutralizer can also be used with a carpet cleaner to remove musty smells from carpets.
Did you know? Odor molecules are volatile, which means they also end up in the air. To eliminate the musty smell in your home completely, you’ll also need to treat the ambient air.
If you have an air conditioning or air exchange system:
Spray the filters with the diluted Damp Odor Neutralizer.
Reinstall the still-wet filters and run the system for an hour or so to distribute the odor neutralizer throughout the air ducts and the ambient air.
If you don’t have an air conditioning or air exchange system:
Spray the diluted Damp Odor Neutralizer onto a clean cloth.
Hang the damp cloth over a standing fan.
Run the fan for one hour in the affected room.
Respray the cloth and repeat this step in each room.
You may need to repeat this process several times in a room with a strong musty smell. Eventually, the odor neutralizer will reach all the odor molecules suspended in the air and the musty smell will be gone for good!
For us humans, a daily bath or show is perfectly normal. But dogs don’t have the same hygiene needs as we do. If you’re a new dog owner – or not – you may be wondering how often to bathe your dog. Or how to clean him or her properly, and what type of shampoo you should use. Here are the answers to all your questions!Why wash a dog?
Anyone who has spent any time around dogs knows just how dirty and smelly they can get. Especially if they spend a lot of time playing outside. Dogs can end up covered in mud, dirt – and yes, even feces – faster than you can blink. A dirty dog isn’t just a question of aesthetics; it can also lead to irritated skin. Giving your dog a bath from time to time will help keep him or her healthy. As a nice bonus, a good washing will leave your dog’s coat shiny clean.Being dirty is just one call for bath time. Your dog may also come into contact with a toxic substance or have a skin condition for which your vet recommends a regular bath.How often should I wash my dog?
That’s the question almost all dog owners ask. How often you need to bathe your dog depends on a number things, such as its:BreedSizeType of coat (curly, long, short, etc.)Skin sensitivityRegular activities
An outdoor dog will naturally need a bath more often than an indoor dog that spends most of its time on the couch.
As a general rule, dogs with long or curly coats should be bathed about once a month and short-haired dogs every 2 to 3 months.
PRO TIPDon’t bathe your dog too often; it can lead to itchy, irritated skin.
DID YOU KNOW? A smelly dog (coat smelling of “wet dog”, smoke, food odors, etc.) doesn’t always have to mean bath time. There are special odor neutralizers for pets that will get rid of bad smells on a dog’s coat with a simple spray. No need to go through the whole bath rigmarole. Just spray the coat and walk away. No rinsing required. A real life saver when you’re pressed for time or have company on the way!
Here are our top 3 recommended bath-free odor neutralizers for dogs:Pet Odor Neutralizer for Shaggy CoatsPet Odor Neutralizer for Curly CoatsPet Odor Neutralizer for Sensitive SkinWhich shampoo to use on your dog?
Dog hair is not like human hair. Nor is dog skin like human skin. The pH of their skin is less acidic than ours. So only pH-neutral shampoos specially formulated for dogs should be used to clean their coat.
We recommend 3 dog shampoos, based on your dog’s coat:Pet Shampoo for Shaggy Coats (deeply nourishes and conditions shaggy and long-haired coats)Pet Shampoo for Curly Coats (moisturizes and strengthens curly coats, which tend to be more dry and brittle)Pet Shampoo for Sensitive Skin (nourishes, protects and repairs sensitive skin)
These shampoos detangle the coat and rinse off easily to leave it soft and shiny. They also get rid of stubborn smells on the coat to leave your dog looking and smelling great.
All of the above products are safe for dogs. They’re vegan and made with natural ingredients. They’re also free of silicones, parabens, phthalates and sulfates.
PRO TIPAvoiding parabens and sulfates in skincare products is important. Check out this article from Wigreports.How to bathe a dog
Now that you know how often to wash your dog and which shampoo to use, here’s how to properly bathe a dogBefore the bath
If you have a long-haired dog, give the coat a good brushing before bath time. This will detangle the coat and minimize the amount of hair that ends up in the bottom of the tub.During the bath
Fill the bottom of the tub with warm water and put your dog in the tub. Wet him or her thoroughly, carefully avoiding the ears and eyes. Apply shampoo to the coat and massage into a lather, including the head. Leave the shampoo on for a few minutes, then rinse it off with clean water.After the bath
Gently rub the coat with a towel to remove the excess water. If you want, you can continue drying with the coat with a hair dryer at the low temperature setting. Paying particular attention to “damp” are around the ears, armpits and groin. Once the coat is nice and dry, give your dog a quick brush and you’re done!How to get a dog used to bath time
Few dogs enjoy getting a bath. The trick is to get your pet used to it at as young of an age as possible. Puppies can be introduced to baths once they are 2 months old.
PRO TIPTo make bath time more enjoyable for you and you dog:Pour water slowly over your dog and soothe him or her with gentle pets and kind, reassuring wordsReward your dog with a treat immediately after a bath so that he or she associates the experience with something pleasant.Love your dog? Keep him or her clean and healthy!
Congratulations, you’re now a dog-bathing expert! We hope you’ve found these dog-bathing tips helpful.
And if your dog is unlucky enough to get sprayed by a skunk, read this article My Dog Got Sprayed by a Skunk... Help! It explains step-by-step the no-fail method for getting skunk smell out of a dog’s coat.
Enjoy tubbie time!
No one likes musty smells, especially when they're in our home. We're all familiar with that musty smell on clothes that didn't dry properly, but wardrobes, cupboards and even upholstered furniture emit a "dank" or unfresh odor. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of musty smells in your home permanently. Here's how.
Main causes of musty smells
If you're noticing a humid, damp or musty smell in a wardrobe, closet or cupboard, it could indicate the presence of mold. Either way, you'll want to figure out what's causing the musty smell so that you can get rid of it once and for all.
In a home there are three common causes of mold growth, which is behind that unpleasant musty odor. These include:
Water infiltration or plumbing leak
Water leaks aren't always easy to detect. You might not even notice the problem for days, weeks or months - giving mold ample time to take hold and start emitting that telltale musty smell.
Excess humidity
Musty smells in wardrobes, cupboards or furniture may also be due to excess humidity in your home. Always keep the relative humidity between 30% and 50%. Any lower is too dry to be comfortable and any higher promotes the growth of mold and mildew.
Poor ventilation
Poor ventilation can also cause mold and musty smells - especially in enclosed spaces such as unventilated bathrooms or basements with doors and windows kept shut at all times. Eventually, mold will start to grow and emit a strong "dank" or musty smell.
How to get rid of musty smells in a wardrobe
Once you've figured out what's causing the problem, you can attack the source of the odor directly. Here's how to eliminate musty smells in a wardrobe. (Note: This technique works best on a wardrobe with a varnished wood exterior and untreated wood interior.)
Step 1: Clean the exterior
We recommend using Purodora Damp Odor Neutralizer because it's a water-based product and won't damage varnished wood. Dilute 120 ml of the product in 4 L of warm water and spray directly on the surface. Leave on for few minutes and wipe dry with a cloth. No need to rinse.
Step 2: Clean the interior
For the inside of the wardrobe, use Purodora Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics. Don't let the name fool you; it also works like a charm on musty smells in raw or untreated wood. No diluting required; simply spray the wood and allow to air dry. Because this product is alcohol-based, it evaporates quickly and won't cause untreated wood to swell.
Eliminating musty smells from upholstered furniture
Upholstered furniture such as fabric couches, chair and cushions can also develop a musty smell - especially if they're sitting in a basement.
Again, we recommend our alcohol-based Smoke Odor Neutralizer for Fabrics to get rid of musty smells in upholstered furniture. Because it evaporates quickly, it can be applied liberally to fabrics without risk of making the mildew/mold problem worse (which can be the case with water-based products, which take longer to dry).
Simply spray the entire affected area and allow to air dry. No need to rinse. If the odor is embedded deep in the fabric, you can inject the product directly into the cushion or filling with a syringe. The product will eliminate the odor on contact and evaporate quickly to leave both fabric and filling fry. Note that the alcohol in this product will not damage or discolor fabrics.
Eliminate musty smells in a cupboard or closet
Got a closet or cupboard that also smells musty? Again, you'll want to get to the root of the problem. Otherwise the odor will just keep returning.
If the damp smell is due to a water leak behind the walls, you'll have to open up the wall, remove the wet insulation and spray the wood joists with Damp Odor Neutralizer. Make sure the musty smell is completely gone before closing up the walls.
Tip: All Purodora Odor Neutralizers need to come into contact with all of the odor source to eliminate the odor completely. If you still detect the unwanted odor after the first spray, don't worry. It just means you missed some of the odor source. Respray the product over a slightly larger area and check again. It's rare that third treatment is needed.
If the cupboard or closet is in a humid room, you'll also need to address the humidity problem - either by running a dehumidifier or with some other measure.
Do other solutions for getting rid of musty smells really work?
Google "get rid of musty smells" and you'll get all sorts of suggestions, such as using:
baking sodaactivated charcoalcoffeewhite vinegarlemonssaltair freshenersessential oilssoaps
These approaches will offer varying degrees of effectiveness, but none are proven to eliminate damp or musty smells completely. Purodora products are based on extensive laboratory research and use proven molecular technology to neutralize odors. Plain and simple, they work. Which is why we recommend them.
No more musty smells at home!
To recap, to get rid of musty smells in wardrobes, closets or upholstered furniture:
Figure out what's causing the smell.Correct the larger source of the problem (if applicable).Use the right products to get rid of the smell.
Want to make sure musty smells never return?
Inspect your home's exterior on a regular basis (roof, gutters, drainage system)Keep the relatively humidity inside your home between 30% and 50%Ensure your home has properly ventilationKeep heating, air conditioning and ventilation system equipment in good working order
These preventive steps will help keep musty smells and mold away from your home.
Want more tips on how to keep a home smelling fresh and clean? Check out our other articles:
Get Rid of Damp Smell in HouseHow to fix a damp basementWater damage in home: 3 things to do first.
Here's to your home smelling fresh and clean again!
Meltingsnow. Rising temps. Longer days. Budding flowers. That can only mean one thing: Spring is here. So is spring cleaning season.
Don’t sweat it. We’ve got a handy spring cleaning checklist to help lighten your load: What rooms to clean, what tasks to do and what products to use – without burning out or breaking the bank.Spring cleaning products & accessories
Before you jump head-first into spring cleaning, make sure you have the right cleaning products. You’ll get better results with a lot less effort.
Must-have products for spring cleaning:Surface disinfectantSurface cleanerGlass cleanerFloor cleaner
Pro Tip
If your home is exposed to smoke (fireplace, wood stove or smokers living in the home),we also recommend using a smoke odor neutralizer for hard surfaces. This type of cleaner will remove any embedded cigarette, cigar and cannabis odors from hard surfaces such as floors, furniture, walls and desks.
Handy spring cleaning accessories:VacuumMopBucketSpongesMicrofiber or cotton clothsGlovesDusterStep ladderSmall scrub brushesGarbage bags Before you start your spring cleaning
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be complicated. Nor does it have to be a long and exhausting process. The trick is to plan out your tasks.
Pro TipsYou don’t have to do all your spring cleaning at once. You can do it over a few weekends. That way, you won’t feel so rushed and you’ll be able to take more time doing a thorough job (which is the whole point of spring cleaning).Get others to help! If you have kids, ask them for a hand. Younger kids will enjoy doing more fun and easy jobs. Older kids can be tasked with giving their own bedroom a thorough cleaning. Spring cleaning checklist by room
Each room serves a different purpose, but in most rooms you will need to:Sweep or vacuum floors and carpets (remember to move furniture and appliances so that you can clean under them)Mop floorsDust decorative items such as picture frames, vases and mirrors, as well as door and window trims, baseboard trims, etc.Clean lamps and ceiling lightsDust furniture and curtainsClean light switches, door handles, furniture and cabinets
Once these routine cleaning tasks are done, you’re ready to tackle your deep spring cleaning. Here’s where you start:Front entrance
A home’s front entrance gets a lot of traffic. It’s also the first impression visitors have of your home. So this space deserves a little extra attention.Front entrance spring cleaning checklistClean the entry mat to remove embedded dirt and stainsSwap out your winter mat for your summer matRemove shoe scuff marks on the walls StoragePut away winter footwear, coats, hats, mittens, etc.Pull out your summer footwear and jackets (if they’re smelling a little musty or not-so-fresh, use a perspiration odor neutralizer)Kitchen
The kitchen is often the second busiest area in the house, after the front entrance. It is the heart of the home, after all.Kitchen spring cleaning checklistClean the range hood and filtersClean the backsplashEmpty cabinets and the pantry and clean the doors and shelvesScrub the kitchen sink and faucetsWash the garbage and recycling bins (if you use a garbage bin & container odor neutralizer, you’ll clean the bins and eliminate embedded garbage/rotten food smells at the same time)Clean the microwave, inside and outEmpty the fridge and freezer and clean all drawers and doorsClean the oven and racks (you might need to use a degreaser if you don’t have a self-cleaning oven)Clean the kitchen cabinets, inside & out, along the top, and all knobs and pullsClean the dishwasher with a dishwasher cleaner (found in larger supermarkets and department stores)Clean other small appliances such as the toaster, coffee maker, toaster oven, etc. Storage
There’s not much seasonal stuff to swap out when spring cleaning a kitchen. But what you can do is check the expiry dates of all food and throw out anything that’s past date. It can be surprising just how much expired food is lurking in our fridges. Also check the condition of frozen food at the bottom of your freezer.
Here’s a handy downloadable chart from the FDA for howlong food can be safely stored in the fridge or freezer. Living room
Living rooms are warm and inviting. They’re also great at collecting dust – especially if carpeted. But carpets aren’t the only place where dust builds up over the long, closed-in winter months. Upholstered sofas and chairs can get very dusty, too.Living roomspring cleaning checklistVacuum the sofa, under the cushions and wash the cushion covers (if your living room is exposed to any type of smoke from cigarettes, cannabis, fireplace, woodstove, etc., spray furniture and cushions with a smoke odor neutralizer for fabrics after vacuuming)Wash throws and other coversDust all electronics, such as the TV, amplifier, speakers, game console, etc. Storage
Living rooms don’t just get dusty, they also get dirty. And cluttered!Sort through old magazines and books. Donate those you don’t want. Dust and neatly arrange those you doTidy up the contents of decorative storage bins and drawers in the coffee table or side tablesPut away things like movies and games you’re no longer usingBedrooms
Next up: the bedrooms. If you haven’t gotten the kids involved yet, now’s the time. Bedroom spring cleaning checklistVacuum and flip/rotate mattress (if reversible)Clean mattress and pillowcase coversClean ceiling fan and reverse the rotation StorageSwap winter bedding with summer bedding (if bedding smells musty, give it a quick spray with a smoke odor neutralizer for fabrics – don’t let the name fool you; this product will also instantly get rid of musty odors on fabrics)Put away your winter clothes and pull out your summer wardrobe :)Bathrooms
Guess what? You’re more than halfway done your spring cleaning! Now, on to the bathrooms... Bathroom spring cleaning checklistClean the grout of tiles on floors, walls, etc.Wash the shower and sink fixtures and clear the drains of any built-up scale and scum (plain white vinegar does a great job)Clean the sink and faucetsEmpty the vanity and clean the shelvesClean the bathroom exhaust fan StorageThrow away expired personal care products and pull out your summer collection: bug spray, sunscreen, after-sun gels, etc.Take any expired medication to the pharmacy for safe disposalHome office
With so many people working from home these days, there’s a good chance your house now has a home office. It also deserves a good spring cleaning.Home office spring cleaning checklistDust and clean the computer, monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse and other peripheralsVacuum and clean your desk chairEmpty and vacuum the desk drawers Storage
Desks can quickly get buried under bills, receipts, contracts, important documents and notices… but also a fair bit of “junk”. Spring cleaning is a good time to sort through it all and file anything worth keeping in a safe spot. Otherwise shred,recycle or reuse paper as appropriate.Pet zones
Your pet’s belongings and favorite hang-out spots will also benefit from a good spring cleaning.Pet accessories spring cleaning checklistClean pet beds and sleeping areas (if cleaning doesn’t fully eliminate odors, follow up with a few sprays of pet bedding odor neutralizer; it will remove pet smells instantly)Clean and disinfect your pet’s leash, harness and toysWash and put away your pet’s winter clothesChange your cat’s scratcherClean and disinfect the litter box (a litter box odor neutralizer will clean, disinfect AND eliminate embedded urine or excrement odors in the plastic)Clean your pet’s cage (if it’s made of plastic or galvanized steel, you can use a small animal cage odor neutralizer to eliminate embedded urine and feces odors)
Pro Tip
Don’t forget to clean the floor, walls, ceiling, counters and cabinets in areas where your pets spend a lot of time. A good disinfectant and animal odor neutralizer for hard and non-porous surfaces will do the trick. It will even eliminate animal odors trapped in the air at the same time.Outdoors
Now that the inside of your home is sparkling clean, it’s time to take the spring cleaning outdoors.Home exterior spring cleaning checklistClean doors and windows, including the trimClean the balcony, stoop, terrace and stairsClean the gutters (very important!)Tidy up the flowerbedsPull out and clean BBQPull out and clean patio furnitureClean and install screensPull out and install wall-mounted air conditioners StorageMaintain and put away the snow blower, shovels and other snow equipmentInspect gardening tools to see if they need repairing or replacing
Congratulations! Your spring cleaning is now done. This yearly chore takes a bit of time and effort, but it’s worth it. Your home will now be ready to welcome visitors and the sunny spring days, sparkling clean and smelling fresh as a daisy.Spring Cleaning Pro TipsFind more time-saving cleaning tips on our Blog.Check out our natural cleaning products in the Home Sweet Home section of our website. Cleaning products that are safe for people, pet and planet – and guaranteed to work!
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