Get The Right Cleaning Products
First things first prepare what you need. Basically, you need a reliable product in cleaning mold. Many household owners think that bleach is an effective mold treatment. But contrary to the popular view, it isnt. Bleach is a strong chemical which can harm your health. Also, it does not get rid of the mold. It only changes its color from black to white or grey. After a few weeks of bleaching, there is still a big possibility that the mold will come back.
A DIY mold remediation product that mold specialists usually recommend is borax a white powder which you can purchase from the grocery, at the detergent or laundry section. To clean mold using borax, mix the powder in one gallon of hot water. Apply the solution on the surface affected by mold and scrub the area with a rug or brush until the mold disappears. Theres no need to rinse it off because borax will keep the mold from coming back. However, do not use this cleaner on porous surfaces like drywall. Such materials absorb water easily. This could aggravate the problem because as you know mold loves moist environments.
Some other safe yet effective products you can use to kill mold are baking soda, vinegar, Tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, and detergent. If youre using vinegar, simply put it in a spray bottle. No need to add water. Spray the vinegar on the surface and leave it for an hour.
How To Effective Remove Mold In Your Home Or Business
There are several products that can be utilized to kill and remove mold. Some effective products that kill mold are:
- Grapefruit seed extract
While these types of products can be effective in killing mold, they are only efficient when you recognize the first signs of mold growth and manage to prevent its development. In addition to eliminating the mold you see, you must also eliminate the source of the moisture that allowed its appearance in the first place. For many people, while doing it yourself may be an option to remove the mold it is often done incompletely providing only a temporary solution to your mold problem.
It is always best to hire a professional mold remediation company when you see mold but, if the mold in your home is not toxic and the area of mold growth is small then you can try to perform the mold remediation on your own.
Cleaning Mildew Vs Cleaning Mold
Mildew and mold are two types of fungus. Mildew tends to be light in color, flat and have a downy or powdery appearance. This form of fungal growth tends to start out white, gray or yellow in color and gradually turn brown or black over the course of the growth cycle.
A simple test can help you distinguish mildew growth from surface grime. Dampen a paper towel with chlorine bleach and dab it onto a spot of discoloration. If the treated area lightens in color over the following hours, you are dealing with mildew rather than dirt.
Chlorine bleach is effective for killing mildew, which does not grow beneath surfaces. Make a solution of one-quarter cup bleach for every gallon, or 16 cups, of water. Calculate the right quantity of bleach solution for cleanup based on the size of the affected area. Scrub growth with brush or sponge. If the first treatment is not effective, try cleaning the area again, increasing the ratio of bleach to water to one-half cup for every gallon.
Mold is another type of fungus that has 100,000 known species, with as many as 300,000 species assumed to exist. Growth that has a fuzzy or slimy texture and spreads across surfaces in a pattern tends to be mold rather than mildew. Mold also grows in a variety of colors, with black, brown, gray and green being the most common colors of fungal growth found indoors.
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How Can I Prevent Mold And Mildew From Returning
Regular upkeep is the best way to keep fungi from developing on damp surfaces and porous materials such as tile grout. Regularly spray on shower cleaner or a mixture of white vinegar diluted in water and lightly scrub surfaces to discourage mildew and mold growth, and be sure to thoroughly dry the area.
Determine If Mold Cleanup Has Been Successful
Just because the mold is gone and theres no dirt or dust doesnt mean that youre done. Your last step is to determine if your clean-up efforts have been successful. While this last step is a judgment call, there are some options and guidelines to follow.
The EPA document, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, is a great resource that provides guidelines for helping you complete your clean up efforts. Some of these guidelines include:
- The moisture problem has been fixed. Verify this by revisiting the home soon after remediation you shouldnt see any signs of recurring water damage.
- No sign of visible mold, mold-damaged materials or moldy odors.
- Homeowners should be able to occupy or re-occupy the home without physical symptoms or aggravated health complaints.
Depending on your company and the specific details of a mold problem, additional testing by an environmental testing company may be performed after the clean up to verify that all mold has been removed.
When it comes to mold, the key is to implement a comprehensive moisture management strategy. Potential liability and health issues from mold can be dramatically decreased by doing it right the first time. Clean up must be immediate and thorough, following a process like the above steps. It may sound over-simplified, but the primary failure in response to homeowner complaints is simply the fact that builders dont respond fast enough, or with the emphasis that the issue is potentially serious.
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Is Vinegar More Effective Than Bleach At Killing Mold
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.
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.
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White Mold On Clothing
White mold is also commonly found on clothing, especially during the summer months. Make sure clothing is fully dried before putting it in your closet. Drying clothing in the sun will remove all the moisture from clothing and also acts as a natural disinfectant. If your clothing smells musty or has signs of white mold, use vinegar and hot water to help kill the mold spores.
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Gear Up For Protection And Observe Safety Precautions
More than anything else, when you are dealing with mold, it is important that you protect yourself from its harmful effects. A thin mask will not help. You will need to wear clothes that you can immediately wash or better yet, you can just get rid of after using them. Remember that the mold odor can be strong especially if the mold is thick and clustered. You dont want to be smelling that, right?
Mold can stick on your clothes and may spread to your other clothes if you wash them together with other clothes in the washing machine. So instead of washing it, wear clothes that you can throw away after you soil them. You will need to wear goggles and gloves. You need to protect your eyes from these particles. It is dangerous for them to reach your eyes and not wearing protective gloves when cleaning might allow mold to stick to other parts of your body. May we suggest you do not eat if you have not showered after general black mold remediation.
Do not remove this in the process of cleaning. Turn off your furnace and air-conditioner when you are dealing with molds. We dont want those spores spreading all over the room or even the house and causing some breathing and respiratory problems. You can also seal the door gaps to prevent any particles from spreading to the other room. Prepare your bleach, brushes, rags, gloves, disinfectants and everything you need for the cleaning process.
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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold
Natural and Chemical Cleaning Options to Kill Black Mold
Manuel Sousa/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus
- Working Time: 15 mins – 2 hrs
- Total Time: 15 mins – 2 hrs
- Skill Level: Intermediate
Mold spores can be found nearly everywhere on earth. But finding black mold is unnerving because of its potential danger, so you want to get rid of black mold as soon as possible. When the spores are exposed to moderate temperatures and moisture, they begin to grow and multiply, causing illness and making it difficult to live in the home.
Our homes, especially bathrooms and damp basements, can provide nearly ideal environments for mold to thrive, and if you can contain the mold while working to eliminate it, it is entirely possible to live in the house. But what should you do if you find black mold? Before mediating the mold, you need to find out the moisture source so you can address that issue, too. You can remove the black mold yourself in many instances. Then the black mold can be killed and removed with cleaners like bleach, distilled white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or Borax.
Safety Tips On Using Portable Generators
- If you use a portable generator for electricity use CAUTION to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
- Use portable generators OUTSIDE and at least 20 feet away from buildings.
- Do not use portable generators inside your house or garage.
- Do not put portable generators on balconies or near doors, vents, or windows.
- Do not use portable generators near where you or your children are sleeping.
- Never refuel a generator while it is hot.
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The Best Method For Cleaning Mold
Vinegar is not as harsh than chlorine bleach and is just as effective for cleaning mold off of hard, non-porous surfaces. Mold growing on porous materials can only benefit from cleaning with a solution with antifungal agents that penetrate under the surface.
The best mold cleaning method involves using full-strength white distilled vinegar in a 5% regular or 6% cleaning concentration. Sodium borate or Borax is another effective bleach alternative for cleaning mold. Make a solution by dissolving one cup of Borax into one gallon of hot water.
Vinegar is acidic, while sodium borate is alkaline like bleach. The major difference is that the antifungal properties of Borax sink into porous surfaces to kill the hyphae and mycelium of mold, which function similarly to a root structure. Chlorine bleach is strictly a surface disinfectant and does not penetrate under the surface of porous materials. Caustic cleaners such as bleach also pose greater risks of additional damage to delicate materials than the low concentration of acetic acid in white vinegar or the alkaline compound sodium borate in Borax.
Is It Safe To Live In A House With Mold Or Mildew
Prolonged and repeated exposure to any fungi such as mildew or mold can cause or intensify allergies and lead to other health issues. While mildew may pose less serious health risks than mold, this fungus is still allergenic. Side effects of mildew exposure may include coughing, headaches and difficulty breathing.
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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.
Should You Use Bleach For Mold
The EPA and the CDC do not recommend using bleach to clean mold. Bleach does not efficiently kill mold. Additionally, bleach will not penetrate porous materials and may allow the mold to come back. Instead of using bleach for mold, use a fungicide. These products are specially formulated to kill mold.
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How To Remove Mold From Your Washing Machine
Your washing machine is a particularly helpful appliance that is used on a regular basis. It not only allows you to clean large amounts of clothing at a time, but you can also wash larger, more difficult items such as towels, bedding, and even area rugs. However, it is important to realize that because your washing machine is an appliance that can perform cleaning duties, it also accumulates dirt and other debris. This combined with the constant moisture running through your washing machine can lead to additional problems.
How To Remove Mold And Mildew From Grout And Walls
To clean mildew and mold effectively from walls and grout, Joyce suggests that you mix a solution of one part bleach to three parts water. Dampen a sponge with the solution and apply it to the moldy areas. As the mildew disappears, dry the area using an old towel. The mold itself isnt that hard to clean, but it can get messy if you dont squeeze the excess water from the sponge.
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Mold Basics: How Molds Can Affect Your Health
Wear personal protective equipment. Wear an N-95 respirator at a minimum, goggles, and protective gloves.
Use portable generators carefully, outside and away from the home, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
Ensure the mold cleanup is complete before reoccupying your home.
Exposure to mold can lead to asthma attacks, eye and skin irritation, and allergic reactions. It can lead to severe infections in people with weakened immune systems. Avoid contaminated buildings and contaminated water as much as you can.
Flood water may have carried sewage or chemicals into your home. This could expose you or your family to viruses, bacteria, disease carriers , and parasites, as well as mold. To learn more about cleaning and disinfection go to: www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/flood/standing.html.
You can protect yourself and your family from mold exposure by following these steps.
Dangerous Mold Vs Mildew
The most common type of mold found in homes is mildew. Mildew is a surface mold that grows in warm, damp places like your bathroom and on fabrics and books stored in damp basements. Mildew begins as a gray or white powdery colony. It will turn black or brown if not removed promptly and often looks like soil accumulation. To test if the surface is covered with mildew or just dirt, dab the stain with a cotton swab dipped in household chlorine bleach. If the stain lightens or disappears after two or three minutes, it’s mildew. If not, it’s probably just dirt.
If you detect a musty smell anywhere in your home, then you have a high concentration of mold. It can be coming from a hamper filled with damp towels, from a damp crawlspace under your home, or from carpets that have mold growing in the padding. If you smell that odor, it’s definitely time to take action to get rid of the problem.
All mildew is mold, but not all molds are mildew. Mildew can discolor and slowly harm surfaces but there are much more dangerous molds that can damage the structure of your home. If you see a black or green mold that is fuzzy or slimy and the drywall or wood underneath is soft or crumbly, there is irreversible rot, and the mold and the damaged surfaces must be removed immediately.
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