How To Safely Clean Black Mold

How Often To Clean Black Mold Growth

As soon as any type of mold is spotted on any surface, the area should be cleaned immediately. Small colonies of black mold can become large colonies in just a few days. Since bathrooms, basements, and any area subjected to high humidity are likely locations for mold growth, they should be checked at least weekly for signs of mold.

• Dishwashing detergent

How To Get Rid Of Mold Using A Carpet Cleaning Machine

If you are using a cleansing machine to get rid of the moldy issue, then you will want to make sure you use it properly. First of all, make sure you give the machine ample time to heat up for the best results. Additionally, you need to use a proper cleaner to remove issues from the flooring. As we discussed, there are natural and chemicals cleaners you could choose from that will remove any moldy patches. If you choose to use a steam cleaner, do not use any chemicals or anything other than water with it. And make sure you read all instructions with the machine before operating it.

If you are dealing with moldy flooring and need assistance in cleaning, reach out to us for a free quote.

Tackling The Underlying Cause Of Mold

Molds are all around us we breathe in their spores every day. Its impossible to prevent mold from entering any property, but steps can be taken to stop mold from finding a new home in your house. Without addressing the underlying cause of why mold is growing in a particular area, it will just keep coming back.

Molds only need two things, food and damp. Its impossible to remove the food mold needs from your home, because your property is made of it. Particle board, gypsum, wooden framing, and soft furnishings can all nourish and sustain large mold colonies. What you can control, however, is damp. When mold is discovered, look for the underlying source of water.

There are three common ways that water can cause problem mold growths:

• Maintenance issues such as leaking pipes or failed window seals
• Human error, for example not drying water in shower door tracks or splashing water around a sink
• Construction-related, usually relating to ongoing condensation issues caused by poor airflow

The first two are easy to resolve. Simply repair the problem or change your habits to be more conscious of where water is splashing and pooling. If mold is growing because of the construction of your property, it may require more extensive intervention. Installing fans or vents, replacing portable heaters, or investing in a dehumidifier might be necessary to resolve the problem.

You May Like: How To Clean Mold Off Plastic Cutting Board

When To Call A Professional Mold Remediation Company To Get Rid Of Mold

When it comes to non-toxic mold in small areas on non-porous materials there is a fair chance you can remove the mold on your own using one of the products listed above. However, professional mold remediators are recommended when:

• Mold is in your HVAC systems or inside materials and places that are difficult to repair or replace
• The mold infected area is large
• You dont have the appropriate ools or sufficient knowledge to remove the mold on your own
• You are already experiencing mold exposure symptoms
• You prefer not to waste time or nerves on mold removal

Mold remediation specialists have a lot of experience and professional equipment that will completely remove mold. These professionals know what mistakes to avoid, what not to overlook, and how to permanently solve your mold problems.

How To Identify Black Mold

So youve found an area of your tiles or carpet you suspect is mold. But how do you know for sure? There are several indicators and signs to look out for when determining whether an area has, in fact, a mold infestation and not a water spot or build-up of dirt. The first thing you want to look for is any discoloration.

If there are white or grey splotches along the carpet, these are signs of mildew rather than mold. While these are generally discussed interchangeably and can even be treated using most of the same methods, mildew often requires less invasive techniques when cleaning. If black or blackish-green growth covers the area, however, this is mold.

Another standard indicator of mold is the presence of damp areas on a carpet. A wet spot on your carpet will dry after soaking up the excess liquid with a dry towel or even air dry on its own over time.

If the moisture doesnt dry over time, this is another clue of mold growing beneath the carpet. Not all mold will appear on the surface of the rug, and you may have to pull back a small corner of your carpet to verify.

Read Also: How To Clean Mold Off Bathroom Ceiling

Let The Unit Dry And Reassemble

Before you put everything back together, you need to let the unit dry completely. This can take up to 24 hours, so give yourself some time to do this. This is why you should do this before it starts getting hot out because you will be without your AC for a while. Once the unit is dry and there is no longer any mold, you can reassemble the unit and put the grille back on with your new, clean filter. Plug it back into a power source so that you can enjoy clean, cold air all summer long.

Getting Rid Of A Larger Mold Problem

Also Check: What Causes Mold On Ceiling In Bathroom

Preventing Mold In Your Home

The best way to keep your family safe from black mold is to prevent it from growing. Since mold grows in damp, dark places, you should aim to improve ventilation and reduce humidity in areas that are prone to mold.

In your bathrooms, for example, you can use a shower squeegee to remove excess water from shower walls and bathroom mirrors. You can also install a vent fan or open a window when showering to allow humidity to leave the room. These steps help reduce the moisture in your bathroom and make it more difficult for black mold to grow.

Make searching for black mold or potential growth areas a part of your spring cleaning routine. The sooner you catch a mold growth, the better chance you have to get rid of it before it causes health problems.

Removing Mold From Leather Shoes Coats Accessories And Furniture

Mold on leather coats, shoes, purses, and furniture should be removed outside, if possible. Wipe down the surface with a cloth dipped in distilled white vinegar and then with a good leather soap and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth and allow to air dry completely. Once completely dry, treat the item with a leather conditioner.

Also Check: Mold In Car Ac

Black Mold: What Is It

Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly known as black mold, is a mold thats often black in color and can grow in homes in humid or damp areas. The mold feeds on organic materials in common household materials like drywall, carpet, insulation or sub-flooring that have been exposed to moisture, as HGTV describes.

As the mold proliferates, it can release toxic substances. It is these that cause health problems. The CDC explains it this way: The term toxic mold is not accurate. While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins , the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous.

However, though the release of mycotoxins does not always occur, the possibility that it can is reason enough to take care of any mold problem right away.

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:

• Flooding

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.

• Leaking pipes

• Leaks in your roof.

• Increased humidity

• Wet clothes

• Basements

Read Also: How To Treat Black Mold On Drywall

Use Oxygenated Bleach To Clean Moldy Areas Without Discoloration

Though we briefly touched on the fantastic qualities of using oxygenated bleach in a steam cleaner, using a cleaner like OxiClean is another excellent way to remove black mold. Similar to how bleach works, OxiClean disinfects and eliminates odors, which is why it appears in most laundry solutions.

The added benefit of using oxygen bleach, however, is that there is no worry of actually bleaching the clothes. It does not use whitening agents, and therefore will leave the color intact.

DIY Oxygen Bleach Mold and Mildew Scrub

• 2 gallons of hot water
• 2 cups of powdered oxygen bleach
• 1/4 cup liquid dish soap

Start by combining the ingredients in a large bucket. Ensure the materials thoroughly blend before using them to clean. Let the solution soak on the tiles, carpet, or whatever surface you are using, for approximately 15 minutes.

Scrub with a bristle brush, then rinse thoroughly with warm water. This recipe works exceptionally well on larger areas, and can even work as a homemade algae remover for your deck or patio.

Why Do I Have Mould On The Walls In My Bedroom

Having mould on the walls in your bedroom can be a real problem. Bedroom mould is usually caused through condensation or high humidity, normally from weather conditions. It can be caused by poor ventilation and moisture in the air. Be sure to check cracks in windows or drainpipes which could be causing a build-up of moisture.

Don’t Miss: Black Mold On Tile Grout

Best Way To Clean Mold Stains

In many cases with black mold, the most effective way to remove it completely is with a professional cleaning. Experts have the ability to not just remove the current mold but also identify the source and stop future contamination.

If youre wondering how to get rid of black mold yourself, the first step is to find out what caused it. Identify any leaks and document the growth pattern of the mold. Is it isolated to one area, or does it spread over time? The location, size and pattern can help you get to the root of the problem so you dont have any trouble in the future.

In severe cases, drywall may need to be removed and replaced, but to remove stains, a mold killer and cleaner like RMR-86 and RMR-141 RTU can do the job.

You should always use antibacterial wipes and thoroughly sanitize the drywall when removing mold stains. Even trace amounts of spores will cause the mold to regrow. Benefect antimicrobial and a HEPA vacuum should be used when removing any pieces of drywall to thoroughly remove spores from the area.

Make sure that you protect yourself, too. Wear a face mask and gloves to avoid inhaling any spores, and shower after cleaning.

What To Do If You Find Black Mold In Your House

Cleaning Black Mold Black mold, as well as any other mold that you find growing in your home, should be cleaned immediately. Mold on hard surfaces can be cleaned with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water, per the CDCs recommendation.

Also Check: How To Kill Mold In My Basement

How To Kill Black Mold

This article was co-authored by Mike Kapur. Mike Kapur is a home inspector and the owner of Sonic Home Inspections, a home inspection company in Westchester, New York. With over 15 years of experience in pre-inspecting properties, Mike specializes in mold, radon, asbestos, lead, water, and air quality testing as well as hazardous materials, pest, infrared, and general home inspections. Prior to founding Sonic Home Inspections, Mike worked pre-inspecting apartments. Mike holds a BS in Accounting from Queens College and is a Certified Mold Assessor in the state of New York.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 22 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,267,905 times.

Seal Moldy Areas After They Dry

• Set out dehumidifiers and new fans to dry the now-cleaned areas for at least three days, then check them by sight and smell for mold.
• Pro tip: If you discover more mold, clean again with bleach for mold remediation.

Read Also: What Cause Mold On Ceiling

Monitoring Humidity Levels: Tools To Help

What if you arent sure about the humidity level in the house? In that case, you may want to invest in an air quality monitor. The one I have, made by Koogeek, tracks relative humidity .

It has the added advantage of being able to track particulate matter levels, temperature, and noise/light levels. to check out my full hands-on review of this device. Overall, Im quite happy with this monitor, and it gives me confidence that I understand the conditions in my home at any given time.

Does Vinegar Kill Black Mold In Shower

Mold in the shower is a common problem, but it can be easily solved by using vinegar. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and will kill any mold or bacteria that is growing on the surface.

To clean mold in the shower, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the affected area and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, scrub the mold away with a brush or sponge. Rinse the area with clean water and dry it off.

This natural cleaner works well on many types of mold, but will not kill black mold. However, it is a good idea to wear rubber gloves and use a mask when dealing with any type of mold.

To remove all traces of the vinegar smell from the shower, add some baking soda to a cloth and rub it into the walls of the shower. The baking soda will neutralize the vinegar smell for good.

To kill black mold in the shower, spray it with bleach solution. Bleach is a stronger disinfectant than vinegar and kills all types of mold instantly. To make this cleaner, mix ¼ cup of bleach with an equal part water in a spray bottle. Spray onto affected area, but be careful to keep it away from tile grout and metal fixtures. Leave the bleach solution on for about 5 minutes, then scrub the mold away with a brush or sponge. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and a mask when using bleach.

After removing all traces of black mold from the shower, clean it by adding baking soda to a cloth and scrubbing the affected area. This will neutralize any remaining bleach smell.

Don’t Miss: Mold On Shower Ceiling

Use A Hepa Vacuum To Reduce The Presence Of Mold

One of the best techniques for being proactive in your fight against mold is to use a HEPA vacuum cleaner. While most vacuum cleaners pick up the primary particles of dirt and dust, they still miss many of the tiny particles hidden between the fibers. These small particles can impact your health in a big way, leaving behind mold spores, dust, and other allergens.

Using a HEPA filter reduces the number of mold spores left behind in your carpet. So if you have a spill, these naughty little allergens wont be able to latch onto the moisture to wreak havoc on your home and health. They will be long gone with the help of your HEPA vacuum.

Scrub Moldy Surfaces With Mold Cleaner

• Scrub the surface mold stains from walls and wood trim with a mixture of one quart water and 1/2-cup bleach mold cleaner to kill the mold.
• Use a soft brush and work until signs of the mold disappear.
• After scrubbing the surfaces, allow the bleach solution to continue to penetrate the surfaces and dry.
• Wipe off, but DO NOT RINSE these surfaces.
• Set trim in direct sunlight to dry. Scrub concrete with TSP or automatic dishwasher detergent.

Read Also: How To Clean Mold From Ceiling In Bathroom