How to Clean a Dirt Basement After Flooding

Wait until the water level outside is lower than the water level in your basement. If you pump water outside while the ground is still saturated it may put more pressure on the walls, encouraging even more flood damage. Begin bringing the water outside in buckets or rent a sump pump to remove larger amounts of water.

Shovel mud from the floor. Since you have a dirt floor, shovel until you reach the point where the surface is again well-packed and relatively dry. You want to remove all slushy and wet mud from the basement. Throw away all ruined household materials at this time.

Open the doors and windows. Starting from the top and working your way down, scrub the walls with a stiff brush and a mild detergent, removing all dirt stains. Rinse with clean water frequently. If the stains will not come off, use a mix of 3/4 cup of bleach and a gallon of water and spread it over the wall with a mop. Allow it to dry for five minutes.

Place a dehumidifier or fan in the basement after removing any standing water. This will hasten the drying process. Set the appliances on a chair and use a plug that has not been flooded to reduce the risk of fire or overheating.

Put down a 6-mil layer of polyethylene vapor barrier on the floor after it has dried. This will prevent moisture from coming out of the floor and protect it from further flooding.