How To Get Rid Of Black Mold
Natural and Chemical Cleaning Options to Kill Black Mold
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- Working Time: 15 mins – 2 hrs
- Total Time: 15 mins – 2 hrs
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Mold spores can be found nearly everywhere on earth. But finding black mold is unnerving because of its potential danger, so you want to get rid of black mold as soon as possible. When the spores are exposed to moderate temperatures and moisture, they begin to grow and multiply, causing illness and making it difficult to live in the home.
Our homes, especially bathrooms and damp basements, can provide nearly ideal environments for mold to thrive, and if you can contain the mold while working to eliminate it, it is entirely possible to live in the house. But what should you do if you find black mold? Before mediating the mold, you need to find out the moisture source so you can address that issue, too. You can remove the black mold yourself in many instances. Then the black mold can be killed and removed with cleaners like bleach, distilled white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or Borax.
Preventing Mold In The Future
The best way to prevent mold is to keep your home clean and dry. Clean up any spills or leaks right away, and make sure your home is well-ventilated. You should also check for leaks in your roof and around your windows and doors.
If you have any areas in your home that are prone to mold, such as a basement or laundry room, make sure they are well-ventilated. You can also use a dehumidifier to help keep the air dry.
The Path Of Resistance
Initially, Mikes landlord tried to fix the problem himself, bleaching the moldy walls. We call that spray n’ pray, said Scott Armour of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a global industry body for remediators. They, along with the EPA, advise against bleach for a variety of reasons, namely that fumes can be dangerous and its usually ineffective.
Bleach only works for non-porous surfaces. It cant touch the mold that has burrowed into surfaces like wood or drywall . But the most important reason bleach fails is that people dont stop the molds water supply.
First thing I do is check for leaks, in the bathroom or roof or a crack in the foundation, said Greg Bukowski, who runs the Chicago-based remediation company Moldman USA. Theres always a leak. If you dont fix that, dont bother with bleach or vinegar. Then kill and remove the mold with detergent and water, then prevent its return with mold-resistant paint like Kilz .
When bleach didnt work, Mike paid for an indoor airborne mold test, which raised more questions than it answered. We had no idea how to interpret the results. I just couldnt find any information out there that isnt written by remediation guys, he said. They told him he had the dreaded black mold, and needed professional remediation.
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Figure B: 13 Common Breeding Grounds For Mold And Mildew
Problem #1Leaky air-conditioning duct joints, especially those running through a hot attic, create a moist environment for mildew.
Solution
Perform yearly roof inspectionseven if you do it from the ground with binoculars.
Note: You can download and enlarge Figure B in Additional Information below.
Moisten And Then Bag Moldy Materials
You have to open up the wall to get at the mold growing inside. Since you need to repair the wall anyway, dont hesitate to cut the drywall back beyond the obvious damage to find all the mold and let the wall dry out.
- To avoid cutting electrical wires, poke a hole through the damaged section and locate the wires first.
- Turn off the power to the outlets before you cut.
- Mist the moldy drywall and insulation with the pump sprayer to avoid spreading mold spores.
- Double-bag moldy material in heavy-duty plastic bags and tie them shut.
If the moisture damage has been neglected or gone unnoticed for long, youre likely to find rot.
- Where possible, remove and replace soft, spongy studs and wall sheathing.
- Where removal is difficult, treat the affected areas with a wood preservative after cleaning the wood and allowing it to dry. Then double up rotted members with pressure-treated wood.
Family Handyman
Complete the initial cleanup by vacuuming up the debris.
- Vacuum up moldy debris with a standard wet/dry vacuum.
- Pro tip: Buy an extra length of hose and run it out the window so you can keep the vacuum outside to avoid further spore spread.
Family Handyman
Also Check: How To Kill Black Mold On Walls
Put The Fab Back In Fabric
If the mold smell is emanating from a fabric, like a towel, a clothing item or a rug, youre going to want to take a different approach to deodorization. If the offensive fabric is machine-washable, place it in the washing machine with fabric-safe bleach for around 30 minutes, and then rinse the bleach off. Proceed as you normally would in your laundry process. If the item cannot be placed in the washing machine, apply fabric-safe bleach by hand , and then rinse it off and leave it to dry.
How To Recognize A Mouse
The house mouse is a small rodent of the Muridae family, usually brown or gray, which measures between 7 and 10 cm with a tail of the same length.
It weighs about 20 grams and lives 2 to 3 years.
She has a pointed muzzle, large ears with a very well developed sense of hearing and smell, large black eyes and small paws.
It is a very intelligent mammal, which lives mainly at night and has a very varied diet: seeds, cereals, vegetables, bread, fruits, rice, flour, mushrooms, roots, etc.
But it can just as easily devour soap, candles and gnaw plaster and wood.
A mouse lives in a group, so if you see one, find out if it has made nests somewhere to avoid an invasion .
The attic and the cellar are two places appreciated by rodents, but they can also take up residence in the laundry room, the attic, the ducts, the frame, etc.
Mice and rats are not dangerous, but can be a vector of disease for humans, especially if bitten.
Like hedgehogs, they are often infested with lice, ticks and fleas.
Read alsoRats, mice and field mice in the garden: 7 repellent plants to scare them away
Also Check: How Do You Know If It’s Mold In The House
Signs Your Home Has Mold And Mildew
You may see mold growing on your walls, in your carpet, on your upholstery or in other parts of your house. Mold can be many colors including brown, black, gray, red or green.
In a home with mold, sometimes the only obvious sign of a problem is the musty odor. This smell is the product of molds eating through organic matter. This smell comes from the carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds emitted by this process.
You can get rid of this musty smell by scrubbing areas infected with mold with a solution of 1/2 cup of liquid household bleach mixed with one gallon of water. Rinse and wipe dry. Keep windows open until all surfaces have been dried.In your basement, you can get rid of the musty smell by sprinkling chlorinated lime all over the floor and then allowing it to stay until the musty smell disappears. When done, sweep it up.
Benefits Of Hiring Professional Mold Remediators
- They discover all of the mold in your place visible and hidden mold
- They have the proper equipment to remove all of the mold and mold spores in a speedy and efficient manner.
- They can find and eliminate the source of mold even in porous materials.
- They can make sure the future growth of mold is prevented.
- They repair any damage and thoroughly clean the contaminated space.
- They are quick and efficient they can also save you time and money but making sure all of the mold is removed the first time
If you have mold in your home and dont want to take the time to try and do it yourself or simply want to make sure it is done correctly the first time, give Home Healthy Homes a call for your mold remediation needs.
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Spray With Distilled White Vinegar
All types of vinegar are acidic, and acids can slowly break down the structure of mold and kill it. Distilled white vinegar is non-toxic but acts much more slowly than chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. While it will kill the mold, the discoloration and stains may remain and require additional scrubbing with a household cleaner.
Distilled white vinegar can be used safely on most porous and non-porous surfaces. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray onto the moldy surface. Let it work for an hour. Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water and allow the surface to dry. Use hydrogen peroxide or a diluted chlorine bleach solution to remove any remaining traces of discoloration.
What Is Mold And Mildew
Whats wrong with a little mold and mildew? As long as they stay put behind the laundry tub, out of sight under the basement carpet, or only peek around the edge of the bathroom wallpaper, who cares? Well, you should, because theyre not only eating away at your house, they could be eating away at your health, too.
Here well take a look at what mold and mildew are, how they affect the health of you and your house and, finally, how you can prevent their growth and how to get rid of mildew and mold. You can learn more about mold, including common mold myths and what you really need to know about black mold.
Mold and mildewbig-time consumers
Though there are thousands of different types of mold and mildew, they all have two things in common: The first is that their mission on Earth is to digest the organic world around them. The second is that they all need moisture so their little digestive enzymes can go to work.
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Absorb Odor With Baking Soda
Treat With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is less harsh and produces fewer fumes than chlorine bleach, but it works more slowly. Be sure the bottle of hydrogen peroxide is fresh , or it will not be effective. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down quickly in sunlight.
Hydrogen peroxide does not need to be diluted for cleaning areas of mold. Pour fresh hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the moldy surfaces. It should begin to bubble or fizz. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes or until the fizzing stops. Use a scrub brush, sponge, or cloth to wipe away the mold. Repeat if needed.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold In A Basement
Mold needs damp surfaces and organic matter two things most basements have in abundance. If your basement isnt finished, or is rarely used, mold can be especially problematic. The first thing you should do is try to remove as much moisture as possible and prevent it from building up again. That means checking on seals, insulating pipes, and fixing leaks. Consider running a dehumidifier or fan on a regular basis to keep the air moving and prevent condensation from forming, and dont overlook the importance of knowing whats going on. Checking on the condition of a basement and looking for mold growth, especially in the corners of the walls and floor, will help you stay on top of any problems.
Removing Mold In The Attic
Much like the basement, the dark, damp atmosphere of an attic is conducive to mold. You should clean it as you would other areas by scrubbing the walls and making sure it hasnt permeated porous materials.
To prevent mold in the attic, make sure that the vents are directed completely outside of your house. Its also important to check the roof to alleviate issues that can contribute to moisture entering the attic, such as roof leaks, raised shingles and gaps in skylights and be sure vents and skylights are well-sealed.
Let a pro do it for you.
Recommended Reading: How Can You Tell If You Have Toxic Black Mold
How To Kill Mold In Your House: A Complete Guide
Mold is a common problem in many homes, but its one that you can easily take care of. With a little elbow grease and the right cleaning products, you can get rid of mold for good. If you have a serious mold problem, you may need to call in a professional. But with a little preventative maintenance, you can keep your home mold-free. Follow these tips, and youll be able to enjoy a healthy, mold-free home.
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Mold Removal From Fabric
Its easier than you might think for clothes to attract mold and mildew. A forgotten load of laundry in the washing machine, the pile of clothes at the bottom of a closet, or even the armchair in a humid room can all quickly become overrun with mold. However as long as you catch the problem early, your fabrics can still be saved.
Bleachable fabrics
If you can apply bleach to a fabric without worrying about discoloration, do it. Thats the fastest and most effective way of getting rid of mold. Many laundry bleaches can be used on white and colorfast fabrics, although you should always check the instructions, and never use bleach on wool or silk. Simply apply a solution of one part bleach to three parts water and let it absorb into the fabric for a few minutes before laundering as usual.
Non-bleachable fabrics
For fabrics that cant be bleached, use white vinegar instead. Either apply white vinegar to a cotton pad and place it on top of the stain for five minutes before laundering, or briefly soak in a solution of ¼ cup vinegar to one gallon water. Rinse through to remove the vinegar and launder as normal.
Upholstery
Related: All about cleaning fabrics
Also Check: How Do You Find Mold In Your House
How Mold And Mildew Affect Your Home
Mold needs to consume something to survive, and its perfectly happy eating your house if you let it. Some molds and mildews are fond of the cellulose in the paper backing on drywall, insulation and wallpaper. Others have a ravenous appetite for the glues used to bond carpet to its backing. Left unchecked, mold eventually destroys the parts of the drywall, wallpaper and carpet it attacks.
But many molds just like to feast on the every day dust and dirt that gather in the perpetually moist regions of your house. They wont destroy your house, but they can sure make it look, feel and smell bad. Mold can mar your walls with white spider weblike growths or clusters of small black specks. It creates the smell we often refer to as musty. This white mold in a basement can be slippery and dangerous when it grows on damp basement stairs. Molds rarely go so far as to rot wood or do structural damagetheyll leave that to their fungal cousinsbut they can wreak plenty of havoc. We cant overemphasize that mold needs moisture to get established, grow and reproduce. Mold problems and longstanding moisture or high humidity conditions go hand in hand. To conquer mold, you must also conquer moisture problems. Fig. B shows common hangouts for mold and some steps you can take to minimize its growth and the damage it inflicts.
Final Word On Black Mold: Best Avoidedbut Not Deadly
As for black molds toxic reputation, those with immune suppression, asthma, or other respiratory problems are most at risk of feeling ill.
Its not likely that youll die from black mold poisoning because its just not that toxic. That said, you should act quickly if you find it in your home. The good news is its treatable, removable, and preventable.
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Using Tea Tree Oil To Kill Mold
Tea tree oil is the most effective natural solution to killing mold. While it is a more expensive option, a small amount of tea tree oil goes a long way in removing mold. It is an antifungal that is capable of killing all types of mold. Make sure the tea tree oil you purchase to remove mold is derived from the Melaleuca Alternifolia.
How To Eliminate Mold On Household Appliances
Just like you need to keep an eye on bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms for mold growth, so should you make sure that you’re regularly cleaning the appliances in them to keep mold in check. Refrigerators can be wiped down with distilled white vinegar for coffee makers, fill the reservoir with half water and half vinegar and let stand for a half-hour. Run the mixture through a brewing cycle, toss it, and then run plain water through several more cycles.
Washing machines should be cleaned every month. Run them empty, with bleach, on the hot water cycle. Check both washers and refrigerators for mold on door seals.
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