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.
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.
Natural Ways To Clean Mold Off Of Carpet
There are natural ways to remove and clean black mold from carpet and they can be very useful if you prefer avoiding chemicals, As we discuss three natural options, keep in mind that they may or may not be ideal depending on your rug and mold situation.
Also Check: Does Kilz Paint Kill Mold
How To Remove Mold From A Painted Drywall Bathroom Ceiling
If you have a painted drywall bathroom ceiling, you will need special care when cleaning the mold. Painted surfaces can be delicate, and you do not want to damage the paint or the drywall beneath.
Start by testing a small ceiling area with your chosen cleaning solution. If the paint is in good condition, you should be able to proceed with cleaning the rest of the ceiling. If the paint starts to peel or bubble, stop cleaning and consult a professional mold remover service provider for further assistance.
When cleaning mold from a painted drywall bathroom ceiling, use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Gently vacuum any loose mold spores from the surface before proceeding with other cleaning methods.
Read Also: How Can You Check For Mold
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.
Recommended Reading: Will Black Mold Hurt You
How To Remove Mold And Mildew From Walls Clothes And More
Mold and mildew thrive in moist conditions. That means musty-smelling growth can be found just as easily on damp clothing as it can on carpets and upholstered furniture.
To help avoid this situation, TODAY Home asked some cleaning pros about how to get mold out of fabric, how to remove mildew from fabric, how to remove mildew smell and how to get rid of mildew and mold from other surfaces in your home.
Recommended Reading: Remove Mold Bathroom Ceiling
What To Do For Black Mold
If you see a patch of what you think might be black mold, don’t touch it remember, says Anderson, that disturbing the mold is what causes the spores to release its toxins. “Don’t attempt to wipe it or spray it or put any chemical on itthat’s just going to make it angry,” she says. “The best thing to do is contain it.” She recommends covering the entire area with plastica bag or dropcloth will worksecured around the outer edge of the mold area . “If you have HVAC running into that room, shut the vents so they’re not pulling anything into the other rooms,” Anderson adds.
Read Also: How Can You Detect Mold In Your Home
How Do You Get Black Mold Out Of Shower Grout
To remove the black stains that mold leaves on non-porous surfaces like grout, mix equal parts of bleach and water in a spray bottle and spray it over the stained area, allowing it to sit for several minutes. Return and spray the area again, and use a scrub brush to scrub out any remaining discoloration.
How To Treat Mold With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an antifungal, antiviral, and anti-bacterial solution found in most medicine cabinets, and its an effective mold treatment. You can use it safely on a range of surfaces such as kitchen appliances and counters, bathroom fixtures and tubs, hard flooring, and even certain wall surfaces.
Pour a 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Test an inconspicuous area of surfaces first to prevent discoloration or damage. Saturate the moldy surface and leave it for 10 minutes. Next, scrub the area with just enough force to remove black mold and mold stains. Once the surface is free of residual mold and stains, wipe dry.
Also Check: Can Mold In The Air Make You Sick
What Causes The Growth Of Mold On Wood
Molds usually reproduce through the production of large amounts of spores. These spores are airborne and are adaptable to wind dispersal. They, therefore, quickly grow on outdoor woodand can get indoors through areas such as open doors and windows. Mold spores can also attach themselves to clothes and animal fur.
With the right conditions, such as warmth, moisture, darkness, and time, these spores will produce mold.
Some of the common causes of mold on wood in your home are:
After you experience flooding in your home, you will almost inevitably develop mold problems shortly after that. Flooding brings in a significant amount of water, and wood will remain wet for days or even weeks to come. Different mold types require a surface to stay moist for different amounts of time, with some needing only 24 hours before growth begins. To mitigate these effects, you should contact a restoration company immediately after the disaster passes.
- Poor ventilation
If you do not have an efficient ventilation system, it can cause the development of moist and stagnant air pockets. Any wet surfaces in the home will also dry out slower if the house does not have adequate ventilation. Rooms like bathrooms and kitchens that generate a lot of steam are especially vulnerable to excess moisture that leads to mold growth. To prevent mold on wood indoors, leave the doors and windows open, and use a fan as needed.
- Leaks in your roof.
- Increased humidity
Summary Of Health Problems
Many types of indoor mold, not just black mold, may cause health problems in some individuals.
Long-term exposure to high levels of mold in the home, however,
People who are most at risk of the symptoms of mold exposure are:
- infants and children
- people with allergies or asthma
- people with weakened immune systems
The main health risks related to mold exposure are allergies and irritation, which typically cause respiratory symptoms.
People with weakened immune systems may also have a risk of fungal infection.
Read Also: What Kind Of Mask For Mold Removal
Getting Rid Of Black Mold
Black mold is the type of mold you are probably familiar with. This is a kind of fungus that has a very dark green or black appearance. It often comes with a very distinct smell. It is a damp, mildew, or musty smell. There are some different ways that you can get rid of black mold. A lot of people use the likes of ammonia and bleach-based cleaning products to get free of mold. However, there are also natural methods, which are always recommended because it is still best to act with the environment in mind. For example, you can create cleaning solutions using tea tree oil, vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or grapefruit seed extract.
How To Kill Black Mold Without Killing The Environment
Dont Be A Turkey! Sure, there are many black mold killing products available on the cheap. And, some of these products will take care of your basic needs in your next mold removal project.
However, several of these cleaning agents are highly toxic to use indoors so be careful. And, great care should also be taken to ensure that your work area is well ventilated and a respirator and gloves are worn while killing black mold and taking care of your mold problem.
In this article, we will outline some ways of taking care of black mold without using highly toxic substances that could impact the environment.
If you want to eliminate your mold infestation but keep a clear conscience, then read on for several methods of taking care of mold without as many hazardous effects.
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Mold In Shower Grout Naturally
Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure
Mold can cause symptoms in people who are allergic to them or in people who are exposed for a prolonged period. The most common symptoms of mold exposure include:
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
- Nasal congestion
Be careful if you have asthma. Mold exposure may trigger an attack. Symptoms of a mold-induced asthma attack can be any of the following:
How To Remove Mold From Wood
Mold commonly grows on wooden surfaces, as wood is very good at absorbing water. Add to this moisture warm temperatures and mold spores , and its the perfect storm for a mold infestation. Read our guide to learn how to easily remove mold from wood.
The good news is that if the affected area is no larger than ten square feet and you arent dealing with toxic black mold, you can eliminate the mold yourself using everyday household cleaners. But dont delayholding off on this project will give the mold colony a chance to expand, and prolonged exposure can be bad for your health.
What if youre dealing with black mold? It can be difficult to distinguish toxic black mold from other species that are black in color, so its best to call in a professional in this situation. Toxic black mold is particularly harmful when inhaled, so you shouldnt touch it.
Read Also: How To Check For Black Mold
Hydrogen Peroxide Is A Non
If you want to obtain a similar result against black mold as you would using bleach, you can use hydrogen peroxide. In an empty spray bottle, combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water. Spray the mixture onto the mold, and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then, use a sponge to clean the surface and remove any leftover mixture, and youre done!
What To Do If You Find Black Mold In Your Home
Mold isn’t always a bad thingbut it’s still not an organism you want growing unchecked in your home. “Some molds are very benign,” says Leslie Andersen, vice president of training and launch at restoration company Paul Davis. “And some are really good: Think about bleu cheese, or penicillin, or mushrooms, or beerall of those have molds in them.” But if you find a musty smell in your basement or see a patch of fungal growth in a water-prone area of your home, that indicates a mold you’ll want to removeespecially if it’s hazardous black mold.
“When people use the term black mold, they’re often identifying a type of mold called stachybotrys,” says Andersen. While many types of mold grow in circular patterns and boast a shiny finish, black mold differs in a few key ways: It grows in a patchier shape and has a much lighter tone. “It’s a dull, kind of chalky mold, reminiscent of if you looked inside your fireplacethat kind of a sooty look,” says Andersen. When disturbed, it releases mycotoxins which can cause irritation in the nose, eyes, and lungs. “People wipe it or they touch it, and they start sneezing, they cough, they get runny eyesit’s because the mold spores are off-gassing to make you stop bothering it,” Andersen says. “What makes it more dangerous to humans is how it affects our respiratory system. We breathe it in, it goes into our lungs, and folks get very, very serious lung conditions from that type of mold spore.”
Recommended Reading: How Do I Get Rid Of White Mold
Look For Signs Of Moisture Or Mold
- Mold can have a cottony, velvety, granular or leathery texture
- The color of mold can vary from white, gray, brown, black, green or other colors
- Mold damage may look like discoloration or staining on the surface of building materials or furnishings
- Noticeable mold odors are described as musty or earthly
How To Remove Mold
If you need further help we recommend the mold removal services of Green Home Solutions.
Also Check: How To Clean Black Mold On Shower Grout
Read Also: How To Choose Crown Molding
Using The Cleaning Solution
