How To Clean Brick
Brick is visually appealing because it looks naturally distressed, but you dont want it to get to the point of looking too distressed. Whether it be oil and grease stains on brick pavers, moss on the side of your house, smoke and soot surrounding your fireplace, or general dirt and grime on an interior brick wall, you can improve your home improvement game by deep cleaning your brick surfaces about once a year.
Exterior brick surfaces can afford more cleaning options, while an indoor wall or fireplace usually requires cleaning by hand.
Cleaning methods involving muriatic acid require the use of full safety gear rubber gloves, safety glasses and a respirator. Muriatic acid, as well as bleach, can stain or discolor many colors of brick and corrode aluminum window frames. Overspray or spills can damage nearby surfaces.
How To Clean Mould With Hydrogen Peroxide
- Get 3% hydrogen peroxide and pour it into a spray bottle.
- Spray the affected areas the mouldy surface should be saturated with the substance.
- Leave the hydrogen peroxide to sit for 10 minutes the time will be enough for substance to eliminate mould spores.
- Scrub the surface and wipe off to clean mould residues.
If you need help to deal with dirt, dust, mould or mildew dont hesitate to contact a home cleaning service in your area.
How To Remove Mold And Mildew From White
Olivia Joyce, cleaning pro with Move Out Mates, has two effective strategies for how to get mold out of clothes, depending on the fabric involved.
Bleach is the most effective way to remove mold and mildew from clothing made out of white cotton, Joyce says. Apply a solution of one part bleach to three parts water to the stain and allow the solution to sit for a few minutes, then launder the clothing as usual.
Recommended Reading: How To Install Stair Nose Molding
Fallback On Commercial Cleaning Products
If vinegar or bleach do not work, or you would prefer to move directly to a commercial solution, you should have no trouble finding effective products at your local garden center or home improvement store.
You can opt for a simple patio or deck wash-type of product that is used for general cleaning if your mold or algae problem is mild. If your hardscape has been stained from the mold or algae, you may need to opt for a mold stain remover. For example, if you just purchased a home where mold or algae has been allowed to flourish for an extended period of time on concrete, brick or paving stones, there may be stains that require a product specifically designed for mold and algae stain removal.
With most of these products, you will spray the area, allow it to work its magic for a few minutes, scrub with a deck brush or push broom, and then rinse the area with water.
How To Get Mold Off Wood Floors And Other Surfaces
If you find traces of any type of fungi on your ceiling, floor, or another surface, follow these steps:
-
Wear Protective Clothing
Its a good idea to wear protective clothing when you spray against mold, as well as an N-95 respirator, gloves, and safety goggles.
-
Find the Source of the Mold
Because of the high percentage of humidity, its very probable that mold comes from the bathroom, particularly sinks and toilets. Also, its good to check if there are any broken pipes or some kind of water damage. Keep an eye out for any water leaks or cracks on the walls of your house.
-
Clear the Entire Room So You Can Clean It Off
To get the best results when setting out to clean the mold off wood, get as many furniture items out of the infested room as you can. Its important to have free space, so you can maneuver more effectively.
-
Make a Cleaning Product
You can use some of the recipes I provided in the article, Borax, strong alcohol like vodka, a powerful detergent solution, a vinegar mixture, or hydrogen peroxide.
-
Start Wiping the Room With Wet Cloth Material
After using any of the solutions, you should wash off the spot with a wet cloth, and later use a dry one to remove the water.
-
Alternatively, Use Some Other Product and Spray It on the Surface
If the infestation is particularly large, the best way to kill mold on wood would be to use the disinfectant Sporicidin or a chemical mold blocker like Mold Armor.
-
Sanding the Area
Also Check: How To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
What Is Green Mold
Green mold is not a specific name for a single species. Many types of mold, including house mold, have green or greenish color.
Some of the most common mold types that have green color include Aspergillum, Penicillium, and Cladosporium. While they may show green color, they can also appear gray, brown, or yellow.
The green mold may first appear as dark spots on certain areas in the house. However, if the first signs of mold are not removed immediately, they can develop into a fuzzy layer.
If you disturb the surface of the green mold, especially the darker one, you will see spores flying. There is also typical musty smell that accompanies the mold.
Buff Granite With Cloth
Take a dry cloth and buff the granite. Not only will this reduce stains and streaks, but it will make the headstone shine. Donât use the cloth that had soap on it, even if youâve cleaned it. There may still be soap residue on the fabric that could stick to the granite.
Creating beautiful plaques and headstones since 1936, Fort Worth Monument in Fort Worth, TX, has worked closely with the community to honor family members who have passed away. This family-owned-and-operated business will be by your side to help with the epitaph you want to create. Visit their website to see their gallery of past work, or call 625-2721 for a free estimate.
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
How To Treat Mold With Lemons
Lemons are a natural deodorizer, antiseptic, bleach, stain remover, and cleaner and they can also remove black mold. The high concentration of acid in lemons breaks down mold, making it easy to remove and leaves behind a disinfected surface. Along with that wonderful citrus aroma!
Juice three-to-five lemons into a cup and pour over the moldy area. Let it sit for five minutes and then wipe the surface with a damp towel. You can reapply and scrub the surface to get rid of tough mold stains.
These natural remedies are great non-toxic alternatives to chemical-based black mold removers, and many of them are also effective against mildew. They are safe for your family and safe for the environment, and are frequently less expensive than commercial brands. To learn more about the basics of mold removal, check out this guide from EPA.gov.
From removing mold to weekly housekeeping, The Maids can help you tackle dirt and grime with our full range of cleaning services.
Hire A Regular Cleaning Service
Regular cleaning helps prevent a buildup of stubborn mold and other stains. Signature Maids offers affordable cleaning services for your home or office. Our deep cleaning helps to prevent the development of mold, allergens and other toxic intruders. Contact us today to learn more and receive a free quote.
Recent Posts
Read Also: Mold Uv Light
What Kind Of Vinegar Should You Use
First, save the apple cider vinegar for salad dressing. To clean mold, use regular white distilled vinegar, typically sold with five percent acidity. You can also use cleaning vinegar with its six percent acidity. Both are effective at killing mold. Generic brands are as effective as name brands. Cleaning vinegar is sold online and at many home improvement, discount and grocery stores.
Tips For Preventing Mold Growth
The best way to fight mold is to prevent it from growing in the first place. Keep your bathrooms, kitchen, basement, storage rooms and other areas of your home well ventilated. Humidity levels in your home should be no higher than 50 percent. Here are some things you can do to reduce the moisture and keep your home mold-free.
- Fix leaky faucets, showers or household appliances that use water
- Vent bathrooms, clothes dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
- Use air conditioners and de-humidifiers
- Use exhaust fans whenever cooking, cleaning and bathing and run ventilation fans for at least 10 minutes after taking a shower or finishing cooking.
- Fix leaks in your homeâs roof or walls. Clean out gutters to prevent leaking.
- Clean bathrooms and dry completely
- Remove or replace carpets in rooms like bathrooms or basements that have a lot of moisture
- Check windows for condensation and keep them clean and dry
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Bird Poop Off Patio
You May Like: How To Clean Mold Off Canvas
What Is Simple Green
Simple Green is not just another green solution to kill mold. It is a popular brand that sells all-natural cleaning products for various purposes. The brand offers a versatile range of products from cleaning products for industrial use to domestic use. Moreover, because of its anti-bacterial and anti-fungus properties, several households and industries use Simple Green as a means to get rid of harmful bacteria and molds on different surfaces around the house.
Is Vinegar More Effective Than Bleach
Vinegar truly is better than bleach at killing mold. The EPA does not recommend using bleach to kill or remove mold, except in special circumstances. In most cases, a background level of mold spores will remain after the application of bleach.
Bleach only kills surface mold, not the membrane underneath, according to ServiceMaster. That means the mold will grow back. In fact, recognizing the bleach as a threat, the mold will grow back even stronger. When bleach is used on porous surfaces like drywall or wood, mold membranes will move deeper into the surface to avoid the chemical.
Also Check: How To Clean Black Mold On Shower Grout
How To Remove Moss And Algae From Wood
To remove moss and algae from stained, painted, or untreated wood lumber:
To remove moss and algae from composite decking:
If Youre Trying To Clean A Bigger Area You Can Replace The Toothpick With A Pencil Eraser Or A Toothbrush
Use a brush with soft bristles so as not to scratch the surface of your jewelry, especially if they are vintage or antique pieces.
Use it dry and brush it on the green gunk, removing as much as you can without damaging the jewelry.
Erasing the green gunk with a pencil eraser can also do the trick, especially if the green gunk is not old and tough.
You May Like: How To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
In The Rest Of Your Home
Inspect your interior hoses. You should replace flexible hoses on washing machines and kitchen sink sprayers immediately if you see a leak or condensation, and every five years, even if you dont spot problems. If you dont replace them on time, your homeowners or renters insurance wont pay if they burst and cause water damage. Inspect your roof after storms. Look for loose shingles or other damage that could allow water to enter your attic or home. Keep your foundation clear. Dont stack firewood or other items against your homes foundation, or youll encourage water collection there that will seep into your basement walls.
Fix cracks promptly. Whether you find cracks in your foundation or siding, fix them immediately to keep water out of your home. Clean your gutters in the Spring and Fall. Clogged gutters lead to water pooling near your foundation or along your walls, and that leads to water damage that causes mold.
Remember, mold wont go away on its own. If you find signs of it growing on your walls, you need to take prompt action to get rid of it with these easy homemade mold-killing sprays. Then keep it from coming back by controlling your homes humidity levels, promoting good air circulation, and regularly cleaning to remove mold spores.
Where to Next?
Refill The Joints With Sand
After cleaning and your paved area is now dry, refill the joints with sand. Open up your bag of sand and pour some of it onto a small area of the paved surface. Use a stiff bristled brush to sweep the sand all over on the paved surface.
Once you have spread out all the sand into the brick paver joints, mist some water over the brick pavers. This will allow the sand to settle in between the paver joints. While misting the sand, avoid saturating the pavers to prevent washing away the newly laid sand.
Also Check: How To Clean Bird Poop Off Patio
Recommended Reading: How Quickly Can Mold Grow From Water Damage
What Is White Mold
White mold is often found in cool, damp environments such as in basements on walls and other structures. It is often confused with efflorescence, which is a mineral deposit that forms on foundation walls and other masonry surfaces due to water seepage. You can test to see if its mold by spraying it with water. If it dissolves, it is a mineral deposit if it does not, then its most likely white mold.
Removing Mold From Tile Stone Concrete And Cement
Use the homemade bleach-based mold remover on hard surfaces. Spray the bleach-based mold remover until the area is saturated but not dripping wet. Scrub it with a rag, scouring pad, or brush and wipe away the residue. Lightly respray the area, wait 15 minutes, and then wipe the area with a fresh cloth dampened with water. Let the area dry overnight and inspect it the next day. Repeat if needed.
You May Like: How To Clean Mold From Basement Walls
Do You Have Mold In Your Bathroom Heres How To Clean It Up
Help! Theres mold in my bathroom shower that wont go away no matter how much I scrub at ithow do I get rid of it?!
We hear this question all the time and its nothing to be ashamed of. It is common to find mold growth in showers, sinks, and other high-moisture areas. Mold flourishes in certain environments, and your shower is most certainly one of them. Luckily, there are some things you can do to combat mold using basic household cleaning products.
No matter what you do, DONT scrape mold with your fingers or scrub it dry with a brush as this will cause living mold spores to fly up in the air where theyll find somewhere else to land, thrive, and give you additional headaches.
A Complete Guide To Removing Green Mold From Home Exteriors
Last Updated on September 27, 2019 by Diana Rodriguez-Zaba
Routine yard work and seasonal chores keep the house looking its best. You can fix just about anything around your home, but how do you tackle unsightly green mold?
It grows on all types of exterior surfaces, and it doesnt care about age. Whether youve lived there for years or you just bought the house, green mold can quickly become a serious cleanup challenge.
Don’t Miss: How To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling
How Do You Know If The Mold In Your Home Is Harmful
If you discover a mold infestation in your home and want to understand the health risks, you need to first find out the species of mold you are dealing with. For this, specialized mold testing is required.
And while you can guess at the species based on environmental factors like food source , the only way to determine the species of mold growing on your walls, floors or ceilings is to have a specimen tested in a microbiological laboratory.
What Mold Is Green
There are various types of mold that appear with a green color, but it is most commonly caused by Stachybotrys chartarum which is also known as toxic black mold. This name can be deceiving because of the reference to the color black, but this organism can also grow in a green color as well.
This mold typically thrives in wet, damp areas. People that are continuously exposed to this mold will likely experience health problems. Another type of green mold that can be dangerous is called aspergillus.
Regardless of the type of mold that is growing in your home, it is critical that you locate the areas that are affected by the mold in order to clean up the area as soon as possible. A mold specialist can help you locate all of the areas within the home that are affected by the mold, and they will also advise you on the best cleanup practices to eliminate the mold problem.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Black Mold On Drywall
