Quick sort
Work through items in a ventilated area such as a garage or driveway, wearing gloves and an N95.
- IfItem touched sewage or floodwater and is porousDiscard. Mattresses, upholstered furniture, cardboard and stuffed toys cannot be reliably cleaned after contaminated water.
- IfItem is hard and non-porous: metal, glass, hard plastic, ceramicClean with detergent and water, dry fully, and keep.
- IfItem is washable fabric with light growthLaunder promptly in hot water if the fabric allows, then dry completely. Discard if odor or staining persists.
- IfItem is solid wood furniture with surface spotsHEPA vacuum outdoors, wipe with detergent, dry in sun or with a dehumidifier. Keep if wood is sound.
- IfItem is particleboard or veneer that swelledDiscard. It rarely returns to shape and holds moisture.
- IfItem is irreplaceable: photos, documents, artworkFreeze or dry them flat and ask a conservator before cleaning.
Common basement items
| Item | Usual outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard boxes | Discard boxes, sort contents | Repack in sealed plastic bins |
| Holiday decorations | Clean hard items, discard fabric and paper ones | Inspect lights and cords for corrosion |
| Books | Usually discard if moldy | Valuable volumes may be worth professional treatment |
| Clothing and linens | Launder or dry clean | Bag separately on the way to the laundry |
| Area rugs | Depends on material and water type | Professional cleaning for clean-water wetting only |
| Tools and sports gear | Clean and dry | Oil metal tools to prevent rust |
| Mattress or futon | Discard if moldy | Cannot be cleaned through |
Before anything goes back downstairs
- The basement has been remediated and dried
- The water source has been fixed
- Humidity in the basement stays in a normal range
- Items are fully dry and have no musty odor
- Storage is off the floor on shelves and away from exterior walls
- Photos and a list of discarded items are saved for any insurance claim
Being realistic about storage
Basements and crawlspaces in older Wheat Ridge homes are tempting storage, especially in houses without much closet space. They are also the dampest part of the house. Anything stored there should be able to tolerate occasional humidity: plastic bins with lids instead of boxes, metal shelving rather than wood, and nothing pushed tight against a foundation wall.
Sentimental items deserve extra caution. Mold can damage photos, letters and textiles in a single season. If something matters, store it upstairs in a closet that stays dry year round.
Common questions
- Can an ozone machine save musty belongings?
- Ozone may mask odor but does not remove mold, and it can harm people and some materials. Cleaning, drying or discarding the item is the more reliable route.
General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.