DH flooded the basement...again....

[MommyHawk]

Ok, DH got a fish tank and between making special water for it (it's a salt water tank) and doing work on the tank it self, there are two spots downstairs, carpeted areas, that have been repeatedly drenched with water. My downstairs now smells like mold! what can I do to help get rid of the smell. The carpet is dry now, but stinks soooo bad and I have the mommy nose...can't stand it...want to move!!! :

[Jane]

I'm there with you - I have a bag of rotting carpet in my basement that's too heavy for me to lift. Dh doesn't seem to have my urgency to GET RID OF IT.

Is it a synthetic carpet? If so, most are immune to bleach. You can clean it with a very mild bleach solution to kill the mold and remove the spores. Any carpet cleaner will work. He needs to get a waterproof mat for his fishtank stuff. I have some stuff that is plastic, about 30" wide, that sticks to carpet to prevent dirt from being tracked in.

[MommyHawk]

yep, stupid carpet. I wanted wood flooring, but now I'm seeing that that would be ruined too!...I've got the fan on it right now. maybe some baking soda sprinkled on it and then vacuum it and repeat? vinegar?...that's what I always use, but this time it's worse. WHY do we have to recreate the ocean in our house?!?!: