How To Get Rid Of Black Mold Completely
Looking to get rid of black mold from your property or item? Here is a complete guide on dealing with mold issues.
One of the biggest issues with structural moisture is the growth of mold on the walls, clothes, floors, showers, and even on furniture.
And one of the most common mold species you will find in your home is black mold.
Besides giving your walls a terrible look, black mold can also be a health hazard.
It can cause allergic reactions and complicate pre-existing respiratory issues. We have compiled common mold problems in many homes.
In this article, we will be revealing the best ways to remove household mold.
Do I Need To Get Medical Treatment
In many cases, exposure to toxic mold doesnt require medical treatment. If you experience cold-like symptoms after exposure to potentially toxic mold, these symptoms will likely fade on their own with no long-term effects once you remove yourself from the environment with the mold.
Generally speaking, your overall risk of long-term health effects related to mold exposure is fairly low. That said, experts still have more to learn about the possible health effects of mold exposure.
For this reason, its still important to avoid long-term exposure to potentially toxic mold and promptly address signs of mold in spaces you spend time in.
Reaching out to a healthcare professional may be a good option if you:
- have a compromised immune system due to another health condition
- have significant trouble breathing
- live with cystic fibrosis
As for a mold detox? Contrary to some beliefs, theres typically no need to go on a cleanse or detox in order to heal your body after exposure to mold.
Heres why: When functioning optimally, your body constantly detoxes itself and its very efficient at this task.
Detox From Mold: The Low
Detoxing from mold is all about reducing your bodys toxic burden from these mycotoxins. Diet is always an important way to detox from any illness including mold toxicity. Since we know our foods can contain mycotoxins, lets learn how to get rid of these nasty little spores.
You know fungi love carbs right? So avoiding things like starch and sugar-containing foods is key.
There are one million words for describing sugar including:
- Carbohydrates
- Dairy products
- Yeast
Ok, now what CAN you eat? Load up on organic vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. Weve been fighting for the purity and safety of our food for a long time with the Environmental Protection Agency , so when food is deemed organic it can still contain certain pesticides. Just be sure to really wash your fresh produce.
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Who Needs To Detox From Mold
Detox is short for detoxification. Its a popular buzzword but it also refers to the biological process of removing toxins or unhealthy substances from the body. Detox can also mean eliminating or modifying unbalanced environments, behaviors or thoughts.
Its not a new concept. Cultures around the world have used detoxification practices for thousands of years.
Its important to keep in mind that your body is already equipped with a highly-effective detox system that involves the liver, kidneys, digestive system, skin, and lungs. There are many things you can do to keep these systems humming along.
So Is Mold Toxicity A Real Thing
Mold toxicitythe idea that mold can produce harmful substances called mycotoxins that can contribute to autoimmune conditions and other chronic diseaseis a bit controversial. Thats because there isnt any kind of test for it or scientific evidence that any kind of disease exists solely because of mold exposure. Keep in mind that theres a lot of misinformation out there, both about the toxicity of mold and the treatment options.
Theres clear, validated proof that breathing in enough mold in your home over a period of time can cause or exacerbate both allergies and asthma, Dr. Parikh says. It can even cause an invasive respiratory infection, she adds, but any chronic health condition resulting from mold hasnt yet been proven to exist.
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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold With Grapefruit Seed Extract
Combine and mix 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract oil to each cup of water used. Or 1 drop of oil per tablespoon of water for a guide ratio .
Pour contents into a spray bottle and evenly saturate all of the mold areas to be treated.
Allow the black mold solution to work for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Leave to soak for up to an hour for persistent staining.
Clean and wipe away any remaining mold residue.
The good this is the acids in the grapefruit seed extract will persist and penetrate mold growth as well as prevent any future mold spores from coming back. So that is why you do not wash it off.
Detox By Eliminating & Avoiding Exposure
While mold is always present and the body can normally fend off the mold in most cases, this ability is compromised when mold exposure becomes excessive or prolonged. In order to allow the body to thrive, opposed to the mold, its important that you eliminate these excessive levels.
This involves finding the source of the mold, maintaining indoor humidity levels, and effectively cleaning the area. Eventually, mold levels will return to a normal state and your body will thrive.
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How To Remove Fungus From Body Naturally
- CytoDetox: This specialty detox product can help eliminate mold toxin buildup within the body.
- Use high-quality probiotics.
- Take supplements that increase glutathione within the body. GCEL is a wonderful supplement in this category to try. N-acetyl cysteine is also an excellent choice, as it has been shown to replenish intracellular glutathione14. Among its many benefits, glutathione is known to decrease oxidative stress15, and help overcome autoimmune diseases. Research has found that low levels of glutathione can be an underlying cause of oxidative stress16
- Binders: Most toxins are processed by the kidney or liver. Fat soluble toxins are processed by the liver, and are put into the bile complex. The bile complex is then emptied into the small intestine. Adding binders can bind aflatoxins and mycotoxins to aid in successful toxin elimination17. Activated carbon has also been shown effective at removing BPA and common pesticides from the body18.
- Using natural treatments such as antioxidants, antifungals, clay, and chlorella have also been proven effective in removing mold and mycotoxins19.
- Since mold can aggravate autoimmune conditions, it is even more important for those with one of these conditions to be vigilant removing mold and mycotoxin exposure. Follow these 7 keys to any autoimmune diet protocol.
Get On A Mold Detox Diet
After ensuring that youve gotten rid of the source, you will then want to detox yourself from the lingering spores in your own body. This process follows the principles of my cellular healing diet approach, and includes removing inflammatory foods . For inspiration on how to cook cellular healing diet approved food, you can view my detox recipes here. You can also see our clean eating meal plan.
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How To Detox From Mold
Hello to a verrrrry long over-due post.
Ive missed blogging and writing, but, to say the least, its been a little busy over here.
Two words: Mold illness.
It happened. To me.
Not once. But twice. Which is why things have been quiet lately on the blog and social mediaMy body: fighting for its life to just feel normal and breathe again.
Asthma. Vomiting. Nausea. Shortness of breath. Chest pains. Full body tingling. Migraines. Insulin resistance. Candida and SIBO. IBS. General fatigue.
How To Detoxify Your Body From Mold Exposure
February 17, 2022// by Dr Hagmeyer
Most people make it a point to avoid mold exposure by any means necessary, but the true reality behind mold is that its always present to some degree. Its unfortunate, but theres no running away from mold spores, theres no avoiding it, and theres no completely removing it from your life.
Its found in the air that we breathe every second. Its in a lot of the food we eat throughout the day. Its in most water-damaged or high-humidity environments. It attaches itself to everything from articles of clothing to grocery bags, shoes, pets, furniture, carpet, and so much more.
Mold generally grows best when moisture, humidity, or water are present, theres a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, an organic food source, and oxygen. If those factors are present, mold can easily multiply, grow, and spread putting your body at risk of disease.
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Will A Dehumidifier Kill Mold
Mold will stay dormant in the air or even on surfaces it really needs excess moisture to help it grow. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do slow it growing it by reducing humidity. If you have a mold problem in your home, dont wait. Mold spreads as long as it has a water source.
Bleach Is The Best Method For Mold Clean
If youve found mold in your home and are worried about expensive testing and remediation, you might be tempted to find a do-it-yourself solution. Do not attempt to clean it on your own. Hire a certified contractor experienced in mold remediation.
While your first thought when attempting cleanup in your home may be to kill the mold and sanitize the area with the most powerful chemicals possible, do not use bleach or other strong chemicals on mold. In fact, its usually not possible to sterilize a moldy area. Mold spores will remain and begin to grow if supplied with moisture, especially on porous surfaces.
Bleach is formulated to work on non-porous surfaces. If you try to clean a porous surface, such as drywall, with bleach, it may sanitize the surface-layer, but it will not penetrate to the roots of the mold within the drywall. Water from the bleach will seep down to these roots, however, which will supply the mold with the moisture it needs to grow. It may appear that youve fixed the problem, but the mold is now thriving deep within the porous surface and will return stronger than before.
Finally, if youre already sick from biotoxin exposure, skin contact with bleach or inhaling its fumes will only add to your bodys burden. Instead of bleach, reach for supermarket 6% vinegar , which effectively kills mold and its underlying roots.
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Reduce Using Electronic Devices:
Electronic devices produce electromagnetic frequencies that can develop molds both inside and outside the body. It makes the molds more aggressive and reactive and also produces mycotoxins. For this reason, it is a wise decision to take protective measures and avoid exposure for a long time.
Here is what you can do to minimize EMF exposure: switch your smartphone to airplane mode when not in use, keep your smartphone away when sleeping, shut off Wifi at night, avoid charging your phone near your body, etc.
How To Detox Your Body From Mold & Remove Mycotoxins From Your Body With Supplements
The most efficient way to remove mycotoxins from your body is by using the aid of supplements.
Of course, you have to remove the mold source first, but then, you should use supplements to help you finish the job.
You can try it out a few supplements, but theres a list that you shouldnt skip.
Binders are probably at the top of the list because theyre crucial for a complete detox.
Once the mycotoxins take over your liver, theyre excreted through the bile into the intestine.
Then, they go back to your circulatory system, unless theyre bound to binders. They make sure that you release the toxins from your body through the feces.
Just be careful since binders can cause constipation and bloating. Bentonite clay is a great option of binder to use against mycotoxins. Its the perfect choice for a complete detox of your body.
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Help Your Body Get Rid Of Mycotoxins
Note: you have to get rid of mold in your environment before you can hope to successfully detox from mycotoxins. If you dont, youll just keep accumulating new mycotoxins as you get rid of old ones. You may stall mold poisoning, but you wont start to get rid of it especially considering that it takes 35 days for your kidneys and bladder to flush out the more stubborn mycotoxins.
Once youve gotten rid of the source of mold, its time to get your body back into fighting shape. Mycotoxins mostly target your mitochondria, which explains why mold poisoning affects brain and heart function more than anything else .
To recover from mold toxicity, you want to boost your mitochondria as much as possible, while also clearing out lingering mycotoxins. These mold recovery therapies will help:
Mold exposure can be incredibly frustrating. It can make you feel like you have no control over your environment, your health, your weight, your emotions your life in general. If youre dealing with mold, dont despair. These tools can help you get rid of mold and mycotoxins and return to your healthy, high-performing self.
Removing Mold In Your Home
In optimal conditions, mold can grow in your home within 24-48 hours.
Another high-risk area for being exposed to mold and mycotoxins is your home. The EPA estimates that 60% of all buildings have mold or other air quality hazards. Every room and outdoor space is susceptible to growing harmful strains.
Risk factors for developing mold in your home include:
- High humidity levels 11
- Water damage
- Poor ventilation
In reducing your mold exposure, prevention is key. This is especially true if your home has been hit by a major water event, such as flooding or a hurricane.12 Immediately cleaning up water damage, keeping humidity levels at < 50%, and ensuring proper ventilation are all great ways to prevent mold from growing in your home.
However, there are some exceptional strategies for removing mold from your home if growth has already occurred:
- A product called Homebiotics. Rather than using bleach when removing mold, this spray is a natural way to prevent and eliminate mold.
- Although HEPA air filters are a great way to keep your home free of allergens, having a photocatalytic air purifier goes steps further in removing mold. These air purifiers reduce mold by disinfecting the air .
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How To Kill Black Mold With Bleach
Killing Black Mold with Bleach work well on a hard, non-porous surface and will kill nearly any type of mold spore that it comes in contact with.
Eliminating Mold with Bleach is also very cost effective.
However, bleach does not get to the root level of mold growth in porous type items such as tile grout , wood and cement block.
Have you ever wondered why mold stains keep coming back to the same area so if it does you know you may have an issue inside the wall of black mold spores living there.
Never mix bleach with ammonia This is extremely dangerous and will likely produce Toxic Chloramine Fumes or Vapors.
Never mix bleach with vinegar Combining these two mold cleaners together will not give you a better cleaning agent to work with.
Remove Sugar & Processed Grains
This should be a no-brainer by now: processed grains and sugar are highly inflammatory, and have no part of a healthy diet. Removing all sources will ensure your body has the opportunity to heal, as opposed to be constantly fighting the low levels of chronic inflammation caused by sugar and grains.
Opting for a high-fat and protein diet, void of refined sugars, helps control your blood sugar throughout the day which is associated with health and longevity, and supports cellular healing.
Common sources of sugar and processed grains to avoid include:
- Breakfast cereals
- Syrups and Sauces in general
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Always Keep Your Feet And Shoes Clean And Dry
This is one of the first tips that you should follow if you want to learn other natural home remedies for skin fungus on legs and other parts. Here are some imperative things to keep your feet and shoes clean and dry:
- Avoid wearing shoes with wet feet.
- After taking a bath or shower, pat the feet dry thoroughly with a soft washcloth.
- If your shoes are wet, you should dry them out completely before wearing them.
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How To Detox From Mold: Fast Track
In order to recover from mold illness and stabilize the immune system, there is no getting around detox.
Detox is a buzz word that gets thrown around in the wellness world, and intermittent fasting, celery juice and colonics have become as common in health circles as fried chicken joints, 7-11s and PAWN shops are in sketchier parts of town.
However, not all detox methods or programs are created the same. Nor are all detox methods beneficial .
My own detox protocol from mycotoxin illness includes a compilation of nutrition, supplements, lifestyle hacks and therapies/modalities to assist the body in pulling mold and fungus out of my body, like:
HEALING TAKES TIME
People often ask me: What does mold illness feel like?
In the thick of the illness, it literally felt like I had mold throughout my entire body. In my lungs. In my chest. In my gut. In my brain. In my nasal cavities. Clogged up. And thats exactly what my test results showed: elevated mycotoxins in my body yeast and candida bacterial dysbiosis. Icky.
However, I so believe that, when given the right tools, the body innately wants to heal itself.
Ive found that, as I have begun giving my body the right toolshealing and strength is coming back rather quickly.
I also believe that, everything we go through in life happens for a reason. The Lord allowed this tough, long health journey to happen in my life to teach me lessons that no medical textbook could have taught me.
Stay tuned
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