How to Dry Up Mud

For mud caused by flooding or water seeping into a basement, make sure the area you're going to be working in and around is safe. Don't wade into muddy water to assess the situation unless you're certain the water is shallow enough to be safe.

Fill a wheelbarrow or cart with mud. Shovel in as much mud as possible, keeping in mind that you must have somewhere close by to dump each load.

Shovel or rake the mud puddle to a more shallow depth. This involves extending the surface area of the mud but, by reducing its depth, the mud will dry out faster because more of it is exposed to the air.

Push the edges of the mud puddle outward. Continue using a rake or shovel to go back and move the mud outward after it settles. Repeat this process until the mud stops moving back to the center of the puddle.

Use towels to clean up mud that's off to the sides or easily accessible. Don't use towels to mop up large puddles of mud.

Turn on industrial-sized fans. They'll help speed up the drying process. Use them inside or outdoors. However, use them outdoors only when it's not raining, and with suitable outdoor extension cords.

Use dehumidifiers indoors or in enclosed spaces. Make sure to empty the water tank of the dehumidifier often so that it will extract more moisture from the area, thus drying out the mud more quickly.