If you are like most homeowners, you probably have a lot of clutter in your basement. Spring always brings about a sense of renewal which can motivate you into cleaning out your overloaded basement. If the job seems to overwhelming to tackle, there are some helpful tips that will get your basement organized in no time.
Learn to Let Go
The basement often becomes the catchall place for everything you no longer use, but can’t seem to throw out. You should bring down several large trash bags and some cardboard boxes to sort your items into bags you can discard and boxes you can sell or donate. If you have items you don’t use that are in good condition, selling them or donating them will make you feel better about letting them go.
Create Organizational Spaces
You might have a lot of items stored in your basement that you do use on occasion. Creating areas to properly store these items will not only free up space in your basement it will make your items easier to find when you want them. Both large and small objects can be placed in plastic containers so they can be set on shelves. Shelving units can be purchased for very little money and come in styles made of rust resistant metal for use in basement areas. Plastic storage containers with lids are easy to stack and make create storage bins for out of season clothing.
Scrub Away the Dirt
One reason you might put off cleaning your basement could be due to the amount of dirt and cobwebs that accumulate there. Once you have the items you want to discard, donate or sell out of the basement you can start cleaning some of the areas. A broom is a good tool for getting rid of cobwebs that can form along the ceiling beams and in the corners of the basement.
You can also sweep the concrete to pick up all of the dust that often accumulates over time. You can also use a shop vac if you have one on hand. This type of vacuum can pick up some of the debris often found on basement floors such as discarded screws, sawdust or leaves. If your concrete floor has stains, you can sprinkle some kitty litter over them to help absorb the oils.
Watch Out for Mold
Basements are notorious for being breeding grounds for black mold. This is because they are damp and dark spaces which can be ideal for the growth of mold. If your basement is prone to flooding, you want to pay particular attention to mold growing on walls, floors or even on items stored there. Any items that have mold growing on them should be discarded immediately.
If the concrete floor or walls in your basement have black areas on them, you can use bleach to clean and kill the mold. Take precautions to never touch the mold by wearing rubber gloves. You can use a sponge or sponge mop to distribute the bleach over the affected area. To reduce the risk of mold in humid areas, you can place a humidifier in your basement to collect the water from the air.
Once your basement has been cleaned and organized, you will find it is a better environment to be in. You might even choose to add some flooring and turn it the space into a home office, gym or craft area.
Ben S. is often blogging about home improvement. here he shared with us his recent tips about how to clean the basement, which he did in April this year.
