Infographic: 8 Tips To Cleanup Mold
8 Tips to Cleanup Mold
- Protect yourself. Put on personal protective equipment to protect your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin.
- Toss! Take it out! Anything that was wet with flood water and cant be cleaned and dried out completely within 24 to 48 hours should be taken outside. Take photos of discarded items for filing insurance claims.
- Air it out. Open all doors and windows when you are working, and leave as many open as you safely can when you leave.
- Circulate. When electricity is safe to use, use fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture.
- Dont mix cleaners. If you use cleaning products, do not mix cleaning products together. DO NOT mix bleach and ammonia because it can create toxic vapors.
- Scrub surfaces. Clean with water and a detergent. Remove all mold you can see. Dry right away.
- Dont cover it, remove it. Painting or caulking over mold will not prevent mold from growing. Fix the water problem completely and clean up all the mold before you paint or caulk.
- Dry it up. Dry your home and everything in it as quickly as possible within 24 to 48 hours if you can.
Can Black Mold Kill You
Yes, black mold can kill you, but there are a great many factors that must take place before thats a possibility.
For one, the type of exposure to black mold is important. A one-time exposure may produce unbearable and debilitating symptoms for a period of time, but if the person is treated correctly and never exposed again, the chances of the symptoms becoming a chronic and eventual death threat are extremely low. That said, some one-time exposures have the capacity to become chronic if the person suffers from a weakened immune system or an immunodeficiency. They are at a greater risk of developing long-term and life-threatening mycotoxicosis symptoms . Even a poor lifestylepoor eating and exercising habitscan lead to a weakened immune system that is vulnerable to a great variety of life-threatening diseasenot just black mold toxicity.
One-Time Exposure Black Mold Poisoning Symptoms:
- a long, painful headache
- a tightening in the chest
- burning sensations in airways
- watery or itchy eyes
Repeat-Exposure Black Mold Poisoning Symptoms:
- vomiting and diarrhea
How Fast Do Molds Grow
Once enough moisture is present, molds can begin to grow in less than 48 hours! Water from leaks, condensation, and poor ventilation can cause a ticking mold time bomb.
To learn more about our inspection process and why its important to pay for a mold and air quality inspection check out our post: Do You Have Mold? How to Choose Between a Paid or Free Mold Inspection.
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Failing To Protect Against Cross Contamination
Cleaning without proper protective measures can aggravate the problem. It is essential to isolate the room in question by sealing off the rest of the house. Otherwise, you will just spread the spores.
Many people fail to realize that mold remediation continues right through to washing or disposing of their clothes and throwing away cleaning rags and brushes.
Theres no point dumping your clothes in the washing machine with other garments or leaving dirty cloths and brushes in the middle of the kitchen.
Take bin bags with you into the room you are cleaning so you can bag up dirty items and tie up the tops before moving them out through the rest of the house.
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How To Clean Mold From Wood
Mold loves wooden surfaces. Whether its your window sills, flooring, wall framing, or furniture, the high cellulose content of wood provides mold with lots of food. Because wood is also very absorbent, its easy to create a perfect environment for mold with very little moisture. If you do find mold growing on wood in your house, heres how to get rid of it.
Youll need:
100-grit sandpaper
Method:
Step 1: Begin by vacuuming up as much of the mold as possible using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to dislodge the mold and make this easier. Remember to wear a dust mask to prevent breathing in mold spores while you do this.
Step 2: Add a teaspoon of soap to two cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to combine and spray the mold and surrounding surface.
Step 3: Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub away the mold and mildew. Use paper towels to soak up any excess water.
Step 4: To kill the roots, add 1 tablespoon of borax to a cup of water and use a soft-bristled brush to apply the solution to the area. Allow it to absorb into the wood.
Step 5: Run a fan or dehumidifier in the room to quickly dry the wood.
Step 6: If the mold is very stubborn, use 100-grit sandpaper to remove the affected area.
Pro Tip: Is the wood still stained? This is usually a result of mildew the discoloration mold leaves behind. While bleach doesnt kill mildew, it can help remove the stains. Try scrubbing a small area with a dilute bleach solution.
You Could Aggravate The Situation
Mold spores spread fast once disturbed.
Mold spores float in the air and may land in other areas to begin growing again. While cleaning, you could cause the mold to spread into areas of your property that were previously unaffected. If you were dealing with a single mold colony at the start, you might end up having several multiple colonies to deal with within a matter of days.
Besides, molds are of different types. While all mold spores are irritants capable of causing allergies, some molds produce toxins that can be very harmful to your health. You may also end up with dead molds, which can still produce spores and toxic irritants.
Molds should be handled by experts who will test to determine what type of mold youre dealing with and efficiently deal with it.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold In Attics
Attics are prone to mold either because of leaks from roofs or window seals, or because poor ventilation is allowing condensation to build up. Therefore treating those problems is always the most important step you can take to avoid getting mold in your attic, or to prevent it from coming back. Once youre sure your attic is watertight and ventilated, discard any stored items that are contaminated, or remove them for cleaning and restoration. Seal off the attic during cleaning and use a wet vacuum to clean as much visible mold as possible. Treat walls, floor, and exposed timbers with a mold removal spray to kill mold quickly and effectively, and install a fan or dehumidifier to dry the attic once the treatment is complete.
What Are The Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure
If you find black mold on your property, theres no need to panic. But black mold presents more health risks to sensitive groups like those with respiratory conditions or immune conditions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control , black mold spores can generate cold- or flu-like symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breath
So while black mold probably wont kill you, it can make you feel sick and should be removed as soon as possible.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold On Shower Tile And Grout
Shower tile and grout can be a difficult area to keep mold free because the wet and warm conditions make it a prime breeding ground for mold. However, small areas of mold can be removed with a grout cleaner , a mold remover, or a bleach-and-water solution.
- Spray the grout, let the formula penetrate, and rinse. In some cases, there’s no scrubbing needed: In our tests, Clorox Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover spray killed 99.9% of mold and mildew germs and bacteria in only five minutes.
Safety Tips On Using Portable Generators
- If you use a portable generator for electricity use CAUTION to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
- Use portable generators OUTSIDE and at least 20 feet away from buildings.
- Do not use portable generators inside your house or garage.
- Do not put portable generators on balconies or near doors, vents, or windows.
- Do not use portable generators near where you or your children are sleeping.
- Never refuel a generator while it is hot.
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When Is It Safe To Remove Mold Yourself
DIY removal is an option if it is a regular indoor mold, which you can detect using a simple bleach test.
Visible patches that remain even after the bleach test are a type called black mold.
Black mold is toxic, so it is usually safer to ask professionals to remove it, especially if people in the household have respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies.
Experts should tackle black mold infestation because of the risk to human health.
However, its crucial to note that the danger is not just about what you can see.
Some spores are invisible in the air and can cause serious health issues, including respiratory and allergic reactions. Incorrect cleaning will release more spores into the atmosphere in the home.
If you live in a household where there is someone with health problems or a reduced immune system, then it is better to leave testing and removal to the experts, or you risk compromising your loved ones health.
How To Remove Mold From Carpet
Its vital to dry out the wet carpet before mold takes hold. Use a utility knife or carpet knife to cut out any contaminated carpet. Wash concrete sub-flooring using tri-sodium phosphate or another heavy-duty cleaner. Use thick, 6-mil plastic and duct tape to contain the moldy carpet. Bag other debris in large, thick contractor bags.
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If Necessary Sand The Wood
These cleaning solutions should take care of your mold problem, but if youve got some stubborn traces left under the surface, you have one last resort: sanding.
- Use 100-grit sandpaper to rub out the affected portion, taking care not to sand away too much of the surrounding areas.
- Repeat Step 2 to remove the dust and any loosened mold spores.
How Do You Get Rid Of Mold
There are plenty of commercial products that are effective for black mold removal, but many of them contain harsh chemicals that may be as harmful as the mold itself. There are several ways to get rid of mold without resorting to toxic chemicals.
Here are 5 ways to treat black mold using green household cleaners:
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Getting Rid Of Mold With Baking Soda
From absorbing odors in the fridge to relieving heartburn, baking soda has a multitude of uses around the house including black mold removal. Its safe for your family and pets, and it not only kills black mold, it absorbs moisture that attracts mold.
Add one-quarter of a tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle of water and shake until it has dissolved. Spray the moldy area with the baking soda and water solution, then use a scrub brush to remove mold from the surface. Next, rinse the surface with water to remove any residue and baking soda. Finally, spray the area again and let the surface dry without wiping. This will kill any left-over mold and help prevent the mold from returning.
For really tough black mold removal, mix two parts baking soda with one part white vinegar and one part water. Stir the mixture until it becomes a thick paste. Spread your mixture liberally onto the surface and let it dry. Scrub away the black mold and stains, and wipe down with water.
What Should I Clean And What Should I Get Rid Of
If the home has been flooded, remove all drywall to at least 12 inches above or around any water mark. Harder, non-porous materials such as glass, plastic, or metal can be kept after they are cleaned. Carpets and rugs that cannot be thoroughly dried and cleaned should be discarded and replaced. If the damaged area is small, you may be able to save the carpet by cleaning the area with a mild detergent. There also are professional home cleaning services that may be able to clean your carpets.
If flood water or sewer overflows are the cause of the moisture problem, infectious organisms also may be a hazard. For information see IDPHs fact sheet, Cleaning Up After Flood and Sewer Overflows.
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Is Black Mold Dangerous
To a varying extent, yes. All mold is dangerous as it can negatively impact our respiratory systems and lead to significant health complications. Black mold is simply another type of fungus, and current research doesnt indicate that its any more or less dangerous than any other kind of mold.
That doesnt make it harmless, however. If you notice any mold growth in your home, you should remove it as soon as possible. Whether you do this yourself or hire professionals is up to you, but you shouldnt underestimate the potential dangers.
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Can I Remove A Mold Myself
Can I remove a mold on my own? If so, you have two options: natural and Do-it-yourself remedies. If you do decide to do it yourself, there are some hazards and costs that you should consider. Keep reading for more information. You can remove mold by mixing hydrogen peroxide with two parts of water. Spray the mixture with a spray bottle or soak a towel in the solution and wipe it over the mold growth. Then, allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. If the mold growth is still visible, you can scrub it off with a small brush. Afterward, wipe the area dry with a towel.
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Tips For Mold Prevention
After you learn how to remove mold, focus on preventing it in the future. Controlling dampness is the key to stopping most mold. The worst infestations usually occur in damp crawl spaces, attics, walls where water leaked in from the outside, and in basements with poor foundation drainage. Stopping leaks, ensuring good ventilation in attics, keeping crawl spaces dry and routing water away from the foundation are the best defenses against mold.
Mildewcide in paint is usually effective for controlling surface mold in damp rooms like bathrooms, and outside in shady areas. Many paints already have mildewcide in them. Check with your paint dealer about mold removal products.
How Does Black Mold Get Inside A House
Mold spores find their way inside by hitchhiking on clothes, pet fur, and air currents into your home. But spores cant get comfortable without plenty of water. This is why youll usually find black mold around water-damaged areas impacted by plumbing issues like floods or leaky pipes.
Materials like drywall, carpet, or gypsum board can soak up water, creating a perfect home for a black mold colony. If you find water damage at home, its crucial to remove all the affected materials to prevent mold from growing.
A water leak sensor can alert you to leaks in hard-to-reach places where the water damage would otherwise go unnoticed.
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Before You Enter Any Moldy Site:
- Protect yourself and loved ones against hazards. People with breathing problems like asthma or who have weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy sites. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work. Check for loose power lines or gas leaks. Make sure the electricity and gas are turned off. Look for sagging ceilings or floors or other structural problems. Watch out for wet, muddy, or slippery floors.
- Protect your mouth and nose against breathing in mold: wear at least an N-95 respirator. If you plan to spend a lot of time removing moldy belongings or doing work like ripping out moldy drywall, wear a half-face or full-face respirator. Basic information on using it is in OSHAs general respiratory protection guidance.external icon
- Protect your skin. Wear protective gloves . Do not touch mold or moldy items with bare hands.
- Protect your eyes. Wear goggles that provide complete eye protection. Choose goggles designed to keep out dust and small particles. Safety glasses or goggles that have open vent holes will not protect you against dust and small particles.
