Navigating All Of The Confusing And Concerning Information About Black Mold Is Hard But Were Here To Tell You The Truth
Many of us have heard of the dangers of toxic black mold and may worry about black mold poisoning, but the truth is that black mold is a much more manageable problem than you might expect.
Few topics get us more upset than seeing misinformation publicized about toxic black mold, and mold in general, by unscrupulous companies and zealous media articles that seem more interested in sensationalism than fact-based reporting.
When you understand what youre dealing with, you can make informed choices to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. Were here to cut through the mess and help you understand what having black mold in your home may mean, and give you some tips on how to fix the problem yourself and save big money in the process.
Does Bleach Kill Mold On Concrete
Yes, bleach can kill black mold. Although mold grows in most surfaces with moisture, you can use bleach to kill it and fungi growing on hard impermeable surfaces. You can also use bleach to kill mold that grows on impervious surfaces like tiles and tubs but not on porous surfaces. This is because mold on permeable materials spread their roots deep. When you use bleach to kill them, you will only be wiping it from the surfaces. This means that it will re-emerge after a short while.
Cleaning And Removing Black Mold
Now that you have located the mold and remedied the moisture problem, it is time to clean it up and eliminate it.
For this, you can run to the store and purchase an expensive commercial product or you can use inexpensive chlorine bleach that you probably already have on hand. Bleach it is a great choice for non-porous surfaces such as tiles, floors, and glass or other areas where you are not concerned with color-fastness, fading or damage that bleach can cause to some surfaces.
You can also clean black mold with soap and water, borax or vinegar.
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How To Clean Mold Off Leather
Leather might be a luxury product, but its extremely susceptible to mold growth. However if you discover mold on your recliner or favorite boots, all is not lost. Heres how to clean the mold and stop it from coming back.
Youll need:
Soapy water or leather cleaner
Soft cloth
Method:
Step 1: Place the leather somewhere warm and allow it to dry completely. This will make removing mold easier.
Step 2: Using a damp cloth, wipe down the leather to remove the mold.
Step 3: Clean the leather using a leather cleaner or a mild soap such as baby shampoo.
Step 4: Carry out regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent mold returning.
Mold can quickly take hold of leather products and cause a lot of damage, from discoloration to reducing the leathers lifespan. Adding to the problem, you cannot use detergents or bleach on leather, as they will also cause damage. Therefore treating leather items regularly with specialized cleaners and keeping them dry is the best defence against mold growth.
Pro Tip: If you dont have a leather cleaner on hand, alcohol might help. Surprisingly, alcohol does kill mold and its particularly effective on leather. However, always spot-check any cleaner before you use it!
How To Remove Mold From Concrete Floors
The best way to remove mold from concrete floors is to mix a mold-killing cleaning solution and scrub the floors. Rinse the surface with clean, hot water. Dry the floors with a towel or rag. Prior to the cleaning make sure to fix all pre-disposing factors. Voilà, all mold removed. Follow our detailed 3 steps removal guide below for the best result and lasting effect.
- Step 1: Fix all pre-disposing factorsYou may want to figure out what exactly is encouraging the fungi growth on your floors. If its low relative humidity in your house, consider raising it through increasing temperature, improving ventilation or using a dehumidifier. Also, if there are leaks under the sinks, along pipes and on the roof, you might want to call in a plumber to fix the damage and prevent the moisture from getting to the concrete floors.
- Step 2: Mix solution and scrubIn a bucket, fill in some clean warm water, bleach, black fungi killing agent and a few squirts of non-ammonia detergent. Take a scrubbing brush, dip into the bucket and clean the molded concrete floor. Repeat the procedure in all the molded parts until you cover the entire area. Rinse the area with clean water and clean supplies to avoid reapplying the fungi spores back to the floor.
- Step 3: Dry the areaOnce youve rinsed the surface with clean water, and the black fungi is clear, pat the surface with clean towels to remove excess moisture. You may consider applying a fungi repellent to seal the concrete.
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Removing Mold From Wood With Baking Soda
As a natural cleaner, baking soda is strong enough to kill mold but gentle enough to use around pets and children. Baking soda does a lot more than kill active mold spores it also absorbs moisture, which can help prevent future mold growth.
- Spray bottle
To clean antique wood furniture and eliminate mold at the same time, fill up a plastic spray bottle with warm water and add one tablespoon of baking soda. Shake to dissolve the baking soda. Spray the moldy area with baking soda cleaning solution and rub with an old rag or scrub well with a scrub brush.
This should effectively remove all mold from the surface of the wood. Rinse wood clean with water to remove traces of residual mold and cleaning solution. Respray wood surfaces with the cleanser and allow it to dry. This second coat will kill any leftover mold and prevent its return.
Conditioning the wood after cleaning will preserve it and bring out the natural shine.
Keep It Clean And Dry
It never hurts to clean regularly. Make sure humid areas and rooms with plumbing get regular spot checks. Add mold and mildew removal products to your cleaning routine, especially for the bathroom and kitchen.
Mold thrives on moisture, so use dehumidifiers in humid areas of your home like bathrooms, basements, or closets.
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Effects Of Mold In The Home
Everyone is exposed to mold spores, but they affect each person differently. Those with allergies can suffer effects year-round. These spores can trigger reactions like allergic rhinitis or asthma. They can produce volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Besides the unappealing look and smell, mold can trigger allergic reactions such as respiratory irritation, watery eyes, coughing, and headaches. Coughing, wheezing, runny nose or irritated eyes and throat are all signs of a mold allergy. These can also trigger an asthma attack, with symptoms like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Some strains may also be toxic! This is why we need to address an issue promptly. If youre wondering how to get rid of mold, youve come to the right place!
How To Get Rid Of Black Mold
Trying to kill or remove toxic black mold yourself is not advisable. If not handled properly, you could end up disturbing the black mold and releasing millions of spores and mycotoxins into the air. This could worsen you indoor air quality and cause damage to your home.
Since black mold is toxic, youre better off contacting a professional mold remediation company with experience in cleaning mold in buildings and homes.
Mold removal specialists will be able to accurately determine the extent of the mold infestation and can suggest the right course of action for your home. If you suspect that your home has black moldthat is, if you can see and/or smell it .
A healthy, mold-free home ensures a healthy, happy family.
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How To Remove Black Mold From Tile Grout
Another fantastic cleaning solution to use Borax in is when cleaning the grout lines between your tiles. Though your tiles may come clean with a few swipes of a sponge, your grout lines need significantly more elbow grease. Lucky for you, this incredible cleaning solution makes cleaning your grout fast and easy.
- ¼ cup of Borax
When cleaning grout, it is helpful to have an old toothbrush for working away mold stains and particles stuck deep in the crevices. Apply the mixture over the grout and scrub with the toothbrush until all the gunk and grime loosen. Rinse the floor with clean water and then dry to prevent water damage.
Getting Rid Of A Larger Mold Problem
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How To Remove Mold From Inside Walls
The inside of your walls is a great environment for mold, but a terrible one for you to find and clean. Often homeowners dont realize there is mold inside their walls until its causing a major problem. Warning signs include an earthy, musty odor in the home, allergy symptoms that clear up when you leave the property, and stains or dampness on the wall itself. If mold does get inside your walls, youll probably need a pro to handle it. At the very least, the drywall has to come down in order to properly access and treat the mold and prevent it from coming back. You can mitigate the damage by looking out for the warning signs, and reducing the humidity in your property.
Black Mold Removal Using Essential Oils
Essential oils have mcade aromatherapy a household word, but these natural compounds can do so much more. Tea tree oil is an insect repellant, antiseptic, and deodorizer and its one of the safest methods for getting rid of black mold. Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide that cleans up mold quickly and it helps prevent mold spores from coming back.
Combine one teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle and shake vigorously to blend the water and oil. Spray the moldy area, leave it to dry for an hour, and then wipe away with a microfiber cloth or dry towel. Make sure to wear protective gloves, because some people find that essential oils can irritate their skin.
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How Do You Use Vinegar To Clean Mold
To safely and effectively clean a small area of mold, ServiceMaster advises the following:
To protect yourself from mold and its spores, wear gloves, a mask and goggles. Gloves also prevent any skin irritation from the vinegar.
Best Way To Clean Black Mold In Your Ac Evaporator Coil
Once youve established that theres mold on your ACs evaporator coils, its time to clean them. Fortunately, cleaning mold from evaporator coil is a simple process that doesnt require special skills or equipment. Plus, the cleaning agents are easy to find.
To remove mold from AC evaporator coils, youll need the following items:
- Latex gloves
- AC coil mold cleaner
The clothes and gloves are necessary to protect your skin from the spores, which can cause a rash or itching if you come into contact with them. The dust mask keeps you from inhaling the spores, which leads to respiratory tract irritation, bringing along allergic reactions. Youll need the goggles to protect your eyes from the fungus and the cleaning product.
Once you have everything ready, heres how to clean mold off evaporator coils step by step:
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Products For Cleaning Black Mold
Some people use bleach to clean mold but we dont recommend that. Bleach doesnt kill all types of mold, it can irritate your skin and may trigger breathing problems in some people, and it can also damage some surfaces. Here is more about using bleach to kill mold.
Instead of using bleach, we recommend using an antimicrobial cleanser designed to kill mold. Those are more effective than bleach and you can even find some made from non-toxic, environmentally-friendly ingredients. Make sure to choose a product known to kill Stachybotrys chartarum if you think you might be dealing with that particular strain of mold. If the label doesnt include that information, you can contact the manufacturer to check.
Can Mold Grow On Concrete
Mold can grow on concrete as long as there is moisture on it. Although concrete does not have sufficient food to support mold growth, it will thrive when there is adequate moisture. Dust and debris that accumulate on concrete surfaces become sources of food for mold, thus facilitating their growth. You can prevent mold growth on concrete surfaces by ensuring that they are clean and preventing moisture from accumulating on them.
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Why Mold Develops On Grout
One of the most common places to find mold is between tiles, because the porous nature of grout is highly susceptible to microscopic growth. Whether part of a kitchen backsplash or bathroom detail, tiles usually see a ton of moisture. Rarely do we take the time to dry tiles or the grout between them completely after we cook or wash. If a damp room has inadequate ventilation and you don’t run a fan or dehumidifier, it quickly becomes the right environment for mold. Removing mold from the grout between tiles can be tedious, but it’s well worth it to avoid mold-related illnesses.
How To Remove Black Mold Yourself
Did you know that its often possible to remove black mold yourself? Its true! Professional mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars and is often excluded from many homeowners insurance policies. But in many instances hiring a mold removal professional isnt necessary and black mold can be removed by a handy homeowner in less than one weekend of work.
If you feel like you may be a homeowner who is up to the challenge, weve written an eBook that gives step-by-step instructions on how to tackle your mold problem. For less than $20, we guarantee that youll save hundreds, if not thousands, of your hard-earned dollars.
You can purchase our eBook here:
And if youre not comfortable tackling the problem yourself, were happy to provide you a quote if youre in our service area. Just contact us for a completely free quote.
Bottom Line: No mold belongs in a healthy home. Be it black mold, or any other color of mold. It should all be treated the same. If you have mold, remove it.
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Locate And Eradicate Black Mold On Carpet
In order to remove black mold from carpet, the first thing youll need to do is locate and eradicate the source of moisture. Excessive moisture being trapped in the carpet is the cause of its growth. If the source is not identified and eliminated, the mould will be a reoccurring issue, even after the removal and clean-up.
When attempting to remove black mold from carpets and rugs, examine the material to assess whether it is damaged beyond repair. If so, it will need to be discarded.
When getting rid of material that is infested with mould, put it in a plastic bag and seal it. Mould is not hazardous material, so it can be put out with other household trash. Containing the moldy material with protect the people who handle it while transporting it to the landfill.
If the damage is not too severe, you may remove the mildew by cleaning and disinfecting the carpet or rug.
It is important to note that there are some people who should not be involved in cleaning up mold due to their health. Infants, children, the elderly, those with immune system problems or respiratory health issues should not participate or be present during the mould removal process. In fact, anyone who is not involved in the clean-up process should leave the area due to the risk of inhaling its spores.
How Did I Get Mold
Like any other living thing, mold needs food and water to thrive. Mold problems start when a mold spore thats floating in the air lands on a wet piece of organic material , takes root and starts to multiply. Mold spores are everywhere in the air, including in the cleanest of homes.
In fact, every breath you take likely has some mold spores in it at low levels! In the home, mold usually grows wherever there is dampness and moisture, like basements, attics, kitchens and bathrooms, or areas that have experienced flooding.
With over 100,000 species, mold comes in about any size, shape, and color you can think of, making it impossible to tell what type of mold you have without testing by a certified mold inspection professional.
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