Learn How To Kill Mold
There is absolutely no doubt that mold is dangerous. It can lead to an abundance of problems. If you do not take action immediately, there is a good chance that the mold is going to make you and your family sick. This is something that you cannot allow. You need to rectify the problem as quickly as possible. Of course, killing mold is not the easiest thing in the world. It will require a lot of effort and time on your hands. Nevertheless, it is something you have to do.
After all, you cannot let the mold remain. If you do, your home is going to be worthless and you might end up developing cancer. Within this guide, you will learn how to kill the mold in your home.
Page Contents
Remove Mold Contamination From A Dirt
First let’s note that most soil fungi that are happy in wet soil are not likely to be airborne contaminants in the building above.
However the same conditions that produced those fungi that you see on the dirt surface may also produce more worrisome fungal genera/species that are easily airborne but sometimes harder to see, such as Aspergillus sp. or Penicillium sp. So it makes sense to clean up and dry out a wet dirt-floored crawl or basement area.
Photo: Meruliporia incrassata mold on dirt according to the reader who sent us this photo.
“Cleanup” of moldy dirt means, at most, scraping or very shallow digging this will NOT stop mold growth but it’ll remove the fruiting bodies and might slow the growth of further mold Do not launch an expensive / extensive digging and soil removal project. It’s not likely to be needed nor helpful. You’d have a heck of a time removing all mold and even if you could, until you correct the conditions that caused the mold growth mold will return anyway – all mold genera/species are everywhere all the time – in air, looking for a nice place to land and grow.
IF the area of mold on dirt is large, more than 30 sq. ft.,
AND if it’s not a harmless cosmetic mold, professional cleanup would be appropriate, but only after a competent and independent inspection diagnosed the extent and cause of mold and thus provided you with a mold cleanup plan.
Should you test the mold on the dirt? Probably not.
How Safe Is My Mold Cleaner
Household cleaners are not food, drugs, or firearms, so the FDA does not regulate them. This means that the products can contain any combination of chemicals, and that they are not tested for effectiveness.
The EPA only requires manufacturers of cleaning products to list ingredients that are active disinfectants or could cause potential harm. Manufacturers of commercial cleaning products for homes and businesses are not required to list all of their ingredients for consumers by any agency of the United States. They can claim that ingredients are a trade secret, and not disclose them on the product labels.
The truth is that they can legally use just about anything in a cleaning product leaving you the consumer in the dark about its true safety and effectiveness.
The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. EWG has created a database and guide for healthy cleaning in an easily searchable format called EWGs Guide to Healthy Cleaning. The EWG Guide can help you to find safer cleaning products and check products that you already use for safety. You may find that the products you already use are not safe or that they can cause respiratory distress.
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First Can I Remove Mold Myself
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You can, but mold spores can travel in the air when cleaning, so youll want to limit your exposure by wearing protective gear. Wear long rubber gloves to protect your hands and forearms. Its also best to wear eye protection, like goggles, to prevent bleach or other cleaners from splashing in your eyes, especially when removing mold from ceilings or overhead areas.
If the mold problem is severe and more than a few spots, it could be a sign of a bigger moisture problem. If the area is widespread and larger than approximately a 2 x 2 foot area, you’ll want to call in a pro to have it removed safely.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Crawl Spaces
Whether you have white mold in a crawl space or black mold, you want to take action promptly to get rid of it. Even a little bit of mold under the house will grow in a short amount of time. You can eliminate the mold effectively with the proper help. This is a job that most homeowners cant tackle on their own because it requires finding the root of the mold/water issue and providing a proper permanent solution to ensure it wont return. Your best bet is finding a professional to inspect and manage this for you.
Moisture Locs crawl space mold removal and basement mold removal are two services that will do a great job getting rid of mold and solving the water and humidity issues that cause mold growth in your crawl space.
Mold is a nasty and harmful fungus that can spread fast under your house and in your crawl space. Preventative measures are helpful but if you have already seen signs of mold, then its best to attack the problem immediately. Moisture Loc can assist you with all your mold removal needs. Contact Moisture Loc today for more information about their services.
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What Happens If There Is Mold Under Your House
Mold is a microorganism that simply wants to survive and reproduce. To do so, it will rot away your possessions and make parts of your home smelly and dangerous for your health.
If you have mold in your house, its because the conditions exist in your home that allows mold to grow but what exactly are these conditions?
- Dampness and humidity in the air
- Poor ventilation
- Some kind of nutrient source that it can rot away for example, old wallpaper, rags, cardboard, neglected books, etc., etc.
- Mold ideally grows in temperatures between 32 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit
The main things you want to avoid are stagnant air and a humidity level that raises above 50% if you can control these factors, you simply wont get mold, even if the other factors are present.
How To Remove Mold From Painted Wood
Just because a wooden surface has been painted doesnt mean its immune to mold. Interior doors, window frames, and baseboards can all get moldy. The good news is the paint can form a protective barrier that prevents mold from getting into the wood, making cleanup faster and easier.
Youll need:
Paper towels
Method:
Step 1: Use damp paper towels to wipe away the visible mold. A soft-bristled brush will help dislodge any stubborn parts.
Step 2: Make a solution of 1 teaspoon dish soap to 2 cups water and use the spray bottle to apply it to the wood.
Step 3: Scrub the surface gently with the soft-bristled brush to remove any remaining stains. Wipe clean with paper towels.
Step 4: Combine one part white vinegar with one part 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spritz the surface. Do not soak the wood, just get it damp. Allow to air dry.
Mold is rarely a big problem on painted wooden surfaces, because of the protective barrier the paint creates. Vinegar and peroxide will prevent it from returning, but make sure to address the underlying cause. Painted wood isnt molds first choice for a home, so its likely theres an issue with damp in that area.
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Can You Do It Yourself To Get Rid Of Mold In Your House
To an extent, but it is a dirty, smelly, time-consuming job. You have to be prepared to spend a long time looking for the source and scrubbing. If you find a leak, crack, or another moisture source you also have to know the safest way to fix it.
A DIY job of this kind will always be more unreliable than an expert
What To Wear To Remove Mold Safely
Before even choosing a cleaning product, you should know what kind of safety equipment to wear to clean a moldy surface.
The basic equipment consists of an N-95 respirator, goggles or eye protection, & protective gloves with long cuffs. Long pants, a long sleeved shirt and waterproof boots are important to wear as well. Closed toed shoes are a good substitute for boots, especially if you are working on a small area of mold.
Mold is a respiratory irritant and allergen, so a mask with a N-95 respirator is important. A simple dust mask will NOT protect you from the mold spores. To learn more about face masks see our post: In-depth Guide to Face Masks: Allergies, Grass Cutting, and COVID-19.
For more information about safety, visit: What to Wear before entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage by the CDC.
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It Smells Good Its Cleanright
WRONG. Smelling good does not indicate that something is clean! In fact, fragrance can be anything in a product that gives it a smell from essential oils from plants to industrial petrochemicals. Cleaning and personal care product manufacturers are required to list their ingredients on the label of the products. However, because of a loophole in government regulations , they are not required to list any fragrance ingredients. This means that they can use any chemical they choose to add scent to a product, including dangerous, allergenic, and even toxic chemicals. To learn more about hidden fragrance chemicals in personal care products go to: Not So Sexy Hidden Chemicals in Perfume and Cologne.
Our government does not regulate cleaning products or personal care products in a way that allows consumers to have all the facts about a product before they use it. Because of this, we urge you to learn all you can before using a product in your home or on your skin.
Cleaning products affect air quality, especially if ventilation is not used during cleaning. Remember whether sanitizing or disinfecting, use good ventilation when using cleaning products.
Symptoms Of Mold In Your Crawl Space
Mold growing on floor joists and insulation in a customers crawl space.
How do you know if you have mold in your crawl space? Musty smells in your home or coming from your crawl space may be the first clue you have a mold problem. Mold grows because of excess moisture. Anything that causes excess moisture in your crawl space can cause mold to grow such as:
- condensation on air conditioning ductwork or water pipes
- rot of floor timbers
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Upholstered Furniture And Carpeting
Vacuum all of the upholstered furniture and carpeting in your home, especially if they are in areas where mold is present. This will help to remove any loose spores that could potentially cause problems later on. If the vacuum doesnt seem to be doing the trick, you may need to shampoo the carpets and have the upholstered furniture professionally cleaned.
How To Remove Mold From Fabric
If your home has been flooded and mold and bacteria have been left to grow for many days, it may be impossible to salvage fabric items and clothing. However, if mildew has developed due to dampness and is caught early, it can easily be removed from most machine-washable fabrics.
It is very difficult to remove mold from upholstered items because the spores may have deeply penetrated the item and the piece of furniture is likely not colorfast for use with a bleach disinfectant. If the spot is small, try a mold removal product that is formulated for fabric and follow the label’s instructions carefully. You can also try these types of products to spot clean fabric lamp shades or window treatments affected by mold, but they are not machine-washable. Read the label to make sure the product will work on your type of fabric and do not use a vacuum to clean any moldy item.
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Mold In Crawl Spaces: The Health Issues
When you tackle mold in crawl spaces, its dangerous for the same reasons mold thrives under your homes first floor. The area is dark, humid and badly ventilated. The conditions are ideal for a mold outbreak that can pose serious health hazards in a compact space.
Mold type is another health consideration. White mold in a crawl space is easier to remove than toxic Stachybotrys chartarum. DIY removal of this strain of black mold in a crawl space can be very dangerous to your health.
Before starting your cleanup job, think about testing the mold so that you know exactly what youre dealing with.
How To Prevent Mold Growth In The First Place
According to the Environmental Protection Agency , There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. Even if you clean the mold, it will still come back if the room is humid and poorly ventilated or there is excess moisture from a leak, even a small one. Humidity levels should never exceed 50% to control mold growth.
That means prevention is the only permanent remedy for mold. After you’ve repaired the leaks and gotten rid of any moisture problems, moving forward, create an environment where mold cant grow with these tips:
- Add a dehumidifier or two to your home. Its best to keep indoor humidity levels between 30-50% to stop build-up make sure to buy one thats sized for the area you are treating.
- Open bathroom doors and windows or turn on the exhaust fan during and after showering to let moisture escape.
- Leave your shower curtain or liner spread open after showering to help keep it dry.
- Vent moisture generating sources, such as bathrooms and clothes dryers, to the outside.
- Avoid storing items in damp rooms, which may mean keepinglinens, books, or furniture our of your basement or attic.
- Seal bathroom grout lines every year if you have tiling. This will help waterproof your walls and floors.
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How Much Mold In My Crawl Space Is Acceptable
Mold is a natural part of our environment, but it doesnt belong in your crawl space. Even a small patch rapidly spreads as it feeds on the structural components directly under your home.
Airborne mold spores can also migrate into the house and impact the health of everyone upstairs. There are no acceptable levels of mold in a crawl space.
What Can I Spray On Floor Joists For Mold
Similar to what we specified above, a water and bleach mixture should be fine to spray and wipe away. As well as this there are sprays that can be bought from your local hardware shop that claim to have preventative properties. As well as this, there are some specific paints you can buy to help with the process.
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What Kills Mold Under A House Or In The Crawl Space
Prevention is the best cure, but if you want to kill the mold thats growing under your house the best option is to use 1 part bleach, three parts water and to scrub the affected area using a clean sponge and bucket. There are commercially available DIY treatments for mold that use variations on the bleach and water mixture
When doing this, be sure to wear the appropriate PPE, meaning a mask and gloves at least for your own safety.
How To Remove Mold From Walls And Ceilings
The bad news: If the surface is very porous, like a ceiling tile, it’s best to replace it. The good news: If you find small areas of mold on walls or ceilings of sheetrock or plaster, you can stop mold when it starts if you act fast. Here’s how:
- Clean the surface with detergent and water using a sponge or brush and let the surface dry completely.
- Follow with a water and bleach solution: Mix ¾ cup of chlorine bleach to a gallon of warm water. Wearing rubber gloves, apply the water-bleach mixture to the stains with a sponge or brush.
- Let sit five minutes, scrub, rinse, and air dry.
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Mold Removal Using Bleach
Bleach kills virtually every species of indoor mold that it comes into contact with including mold spores which leaves a sanitized surface making it resistant to future mold growth. However, bleach is only effective if the mold is growing on non-porous materials such as tiles, bathrubs, glass and countertops.
Bleach is unable to penetrate into porous materials such as wood and drywall which means it cannot get rid of mold growing beneath the surface of these materials. If you use bleach to kill mold on these surfaces it will only kill the mold above the surface. It will be unable to reach the mold within the material and the mold will soon return.
Bleach is a harsh, corrosive chemical which means it can damage the materials it is used on. It also gives off harsh fumes and produces toxic gases when mixed with ammonia. There are safer alternatives such as borax or vinegar which dont produce the dangerous fumes or leave behind toxic residue.
How to Kill Mold Using Bleach
