Proper Ventilation And Sunlight:
Open all the doors and windows to allow proper air circulation and sunlight to stream in. Sunlight is perhaps one of the best home remedy for getting rid of molds and mildews, it not only destroys molds but even prevents further fungal growth. Also fix the ventilation of the house, build ventilators in every room and get exhaust fans installed to protect your house from molds. Also install air filter and mold and mildew spore catching filters in your air conditioner to clean the air of any fungi or bacteria.
Get Rid Of Musty Odors
- Deep clean carpets and upholstered furniture: Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, deep cleaning carpet and upholstered furniture can get rid of mildew spores and freshen a home. Clean on a dry, breezy day so that the fabrics will dry quickly.
- Clean and declutter every space: Stacks of papers and books can trap moisture and lead to a musty odor. Clean and dust every surface and dispose of as much clutter as possible in every room.
- Add odor absorbers: Commercial odor absorbers that use activated charcoal are available to hang in closets or spaces that lack good air circulation. Or, use a bowl of dry baking soda, coffee grounds, or kitty litter to help absorb odors, and be sure to change these products frequently.
- Add pleasing scents: Once the mildew is gone, you can add a more pleasing scent by simmering spices or citrus peels, lighting candles, using diffuser sticks, essential oil diffusers, or commercial air fresheners.
How To Tell: Good Mold Or Bad Mold
Ahh. Mold. That fuzzy blue, green, black-colored stuff that likes to grow in warm, damp places. A lot of times its normal growth, you know like on old bread. But, when its growing in your home, on the ceiling or the walls, thats not good. As mold specialists, we get asked all the time: Is it good mold or bad mold. To be honest, this is a tough question to answer. Instead of looking at it as good or bad, we group it into three categories: good, normal, and bad.
The Good Mold
Lets start off by saying that not all mold is bad. Theres the mold that makes your cheese, cheesy. Theres the mold that makes your wine taste delicious, and theres the mold that helps make medicine. And, we typically consider the mold outside of your home a good thing. So, when it comes down to it, most people dont even notice good mold, unless they are reaching into the fridge for that stinky wine cheese they love so much.
Cheese Good Mold
The Normal Mold
Next, lets discuss normal molds. When talking about normal molds within the home, there are really two types. Airborne mold spores, and surface mold growth. With the airborne type, it is simply a fact of life that there is always some degree of airborne mold spores floating around in your home. They come into the home through any gap, penetration, open door, and even on our clothes. These molds are considered normal, as long as they did not originate within the home.
Drain Normal Mold
Read Also: How To Stop Mold In Attic
Don’t Miss: What Do You Use To Kill Mold
How To Remove Mold: The Good The Bad And The Smelly
Lets go ahead and face the facts from the get-go: mold spores are everywhere. Theres just no way to completely eliminate them, and theres always going to be SOME mold in our homes. Fortunately, with an ounce of prevention, you can keep it from becoming a serious problem. Limit the moisture in your home, and youll limit the mold growthits as simple as that. Sometimes, though, despite our best efforts, mold proves to be a resilient and strong-willed foe, winning the occasional battle and proudly exuding its signature sour smell. In this article, were going to look at how to remove mold and win the war at large.
When to Bring in the Professionals
To begin, you need to know what you as a homeowner are capable of doing and when its time to call in the professionals. Mold removal inherently involves stirring up potentially dangerous spores and releasing them into the air, so if anyone in your home suffers from respiratory ailments or an immunodeficiency, dont chance going it alone. The experts have the knowledge and the wherewithal to effectively quarantine the area and keep the spores from spreading throughout your house. If theres mold in your HVAC system, you shouldnt even consider taking it on yourself.
What You Can Do Yourself
So youve got an affected area smaller than 10 square feet, no one in your home is particularly susceptible to the mold spores that will invariably be kicked up, and you can access the mold with no problem? Well then, lets get to it!
Is It A Mold Smell Or Mildew Smell
Mold smell and mildew smell are generally used interchangeably when referring to “that” smell in the home.
But are they the same thing?
Yes and No.
Mold and mildew are both fungi.
While both from the same family there are many differences.
However
The main difference is mildew generally grows on surfaces whereas mold will actually penetrate the surfaces.
When the average person is referring to an moldy odor or mildew odor, they generally are referring to the same thing.
Don’t Miss: How To Remove Green Mold
How To Treat Mold With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an antifungal, antiviral, and anti-bacterial solution found in most medicine cabinets, and its an effective mold treatment. You can use it safely on a range of surfaces such as kitchen appliances and counters, bathroom fixtures and tubs, hard flooring, and even certain wall surfaces.
Pour a 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Test an inconspicuous area of surfaces first to prevent discoloration or damage. Saturate the moldy surface and leave it for 10 minutes. Next, scrub the area with just enough force to remove black mold and mold stains. Once the surface is free of residual mold and stains, wipe dry.
How To Get Musty Smell Out Of Carpet: Cleaning Products
If you cant be bothered with DIY methods, or they werent effective, foam carpet shampoos are a great option.
You May Like: How Much Do Hearing Aid Molds Cost
Vacuum All Car Surfaces Before Starting
Prior to steaming, thoroughly vacuum all interior areas, including the door panel. Use a tool that allows the detailer to reach into cracks and crevices where odor-causing debris and decaying food, ashes from tabaccos may lurk. After all, if you don’t remove all sources of odor, smells can reappear quickly.
When To Call A Professional
If mildew infestation is caught early, you can easily handle it with household cleaners. But for extensive mold problems, consider hiring a professional. The rule of thumb is if the mold covers 10 or more square feet, call in a professional. Removing large mold colonies requires exposure to heavy-duty chemicals and proper disposal of infested building materials. Local public health departments can offer advice on mold testing and refer you to an expert mold remover.
Dont Miss: How To Kill Mold In Air Ducts
Also Check: How To Wipe Mold Off Walls
Keep It In A Dark Dry Place
Direct sunlight and moisture are recipes for disaster when it comes to keeping cannabis fresh.
The suns rays can heat things up and hold in moisture. A damp environment can also cause too much moisture to build up if your container isnt properly sealed.
Keep your container in a dark, dry cabinet or closet that doesnt get too hot.
Open The Windows And Improve Airflow
As we mentioned, one of the significant causes of having a home that reeks of mildew is not having proper airflow inside, meaning you never let in fresh air! One effortless way to do this is to open your windows around your house at least once a day for up to 20 minutes to have continuous airflow throughout with focus on a nice cross breeze, per Aunt Fannies, a company that creates plant-based cleaning products. Another brilliant fix is to install ceiling fans in rooms that you would like to have more air flowing throughout, according to All Dry USA, a company specializing in emergency restoration in Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Texas.
Per Angi, it’s also an excellent idea to check and see if your air ducts have acquired mold. Some of the signs that you may have mold growing are a mildew smell inside your home and issues with your health, including headaches, a runny nose, nausea, and even allergies.
Also Check: How To Clean Mold Off Metal
Proper Preparation To Remove Mold Smells
Removing mold can be a bit trickier. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends seeking professional remediation if your mold problem extends more than 10 square feet .You will need:1 a good face mask, such as the N-952 rubber gloves3 goggles or safety glasses4 Make sure you have proper ventilation. If the mold is dry, avoid using the vacuum cleaner as it may inadvertently blow mold spores around the room, increasing the problem. Remove with a stiff brush and use a dustpan to collect the debris.
Bioclean Can Tackle The Smell Of Mold
BioCleans mold inspection, removal, and remediation experts have been serving Connecticut and Westchester County for over 30 years, and we know what mold smells like. We would be happy to provide a free inspection of your home or commercial property to help determine if an unpleasant odor is caused by mold growth.Contact ustoday to get started.
For more information or to schedule service, call us at or visit our contact page.
Read Also: What If I Have Mold In My House
Do Dehumidifiers Help With Mold
In short, yes. However, they are primarily helpful with minor mold issues and with preventing mold in the future. Mold grows in damp places, and dehumidifiers help reduce moisture. If you find large amounts of mold in your basement, your best bet is going to be to clean up the mold first, then work on preventative measures such as getting a dehumidifier.
If you need help with Mold Remediation or Odor Removal, give us a call at 888-777-9742!
Prevention Is The Key
Just as you can prevent your shag rugs from getting dirty depending on where you place them in your home, and you can prevent kitchen countertops from tarnishing by using beeswax, you can also take some steps to stop mildew from starting at all with a few vital tips.
Homeowners or renters should pay close attention to any foul, musty smells due to mildew before it becomes a significant issue by watching their home’s humidity levels. Per the Mayo Clinic, ideal levels of humidity should be between 30% and 50%. Moving.com, part of the Realtor.com network, suggests turning exhaust fans on while taking a shower and keeping areas dry . They also say to make sure you have some air coming into your home by opening the windows to prevent any mildew smells from forming.
Also Check: What Does Mold And Mildew Do To Your Health
Cleaning Up Mold And Mildew
Mold and Mildew Cleaning Solution
If there is mold and mildew in your wet basement, you can begin killing mold with a few simple cleaning products that you most likely at home. All you need is to mix one-half cup of bleach with one gallon of warm water.
Place the solution in a spray bottle and clean the area of mold and mildew. Make sure that the windows are open to keep air circulating. You can use the cleaning solution on basement floors, bathrooms, walls, cement, laundry area, and other parts of the basement that will not have a reaction to bleach.
Another option is to use vinegar. A similar vinegar and water mixture can clean anything that you cant put bleach on in your basement. Again, youll want to make sure that air is circulating. Once its clean, use bowls or cups of baking soda to absorb the vinegar smell from the air.
These methods work best if you dont have a lot of severe mold or water damage. If you find quite a bit of damage make sure you call mold remediation professionals.
Get An Ozone Generator
An ozone generator is a great way to get rid of mold and get your air fresh again. Basically, it is a machine that can remove pollutants and odors from your home or vehicle.
I highly recommend using an ozone generator as it can help you get rid of the problem for good! Ozone generators can kill bacteria and therefore eliminate the mold smell. They even use ozone generators in surgical rooms to help sanitize the space and the air.
With this super powerful machine, youll be able to put your worries aside because it eliminates that bacteria.
Make sure you closely follow instructions on an ozone generator though! For most machines, youll turn them on and leave them in an empty room to work. They also work great for cars! This is what dealerships use to get rid of cigarette smell in a smokers car.
You dont want to be in there while its working because strong ozone generators can sometimes cause respiratory issues.
Recommended Reading: How Is Mold Formed In Houses
Question 6 Of : Can You Fully Recover From Mold Exposure
Also Check: How To Clean Mold Out Of Coffee Maker
Apply Distilled White Vinegar
Blot the area affected with a bad odor with distilled white vinegar, an inexpensive yet incredible odor neutralizer. Be careful with applying vinegar as too much can result in that sour vinegary smell lingering for days or weeks, especially with the car windows closed. To void this issue, always dilute vinegar with about 50% water and spray it onto the area where the odor is strongest.
Recommended Reading: How To Prevent Mold In Water Fountain
How To Remove Mold
Whatever kind of mold you have, if you have more than 10 square feet of it, the Environmental Protection Agency advises against remediation on your own.
But if you have a small quantity and want to clean it up on your own, you will need a few materials in preparation:
- Protective gear like goggles, rubber gloves, and a respirator/N95-type mask
- A window fan to exhaust the air out of the room it should stop the spores from settling in the room.
- Wet/dry vacuum to thoroughly vacuum the area to rid it of airborne spores you can clean the wet/dry vacuum interior afterward.
- Seal the A/C and heating vents to stop spores from traveling also, turn off the HVAC system
- Trash bags are necessary to remove the mold-covered materials
Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Locate the source of the mold. If it’s in or on the wall or sheetrock and you have experience changing sheetrock, you can cut out the affected part of the wall. You will need to change out that area of wall insulation too.
Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water. Dry all items completely. When youre sure the mold has been eliminated, seal any wood surfaces with a pigmented shellac or an oil-based primer. Repaint cleaned wall surfaces with latex paint that contains a mildewcide to help stop future mold growth.
Throw away any moldy absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet. Mold may be difficult or impossible to remove entirely from those materials.
What Causes Mold And Mildew Growth
Mold usually grows on cold damp places where there is little or no sunshine, i.e. areas like the kitchen corners, bathroom, garden shed etc. Listed below are some main reasons behind mold growth:
- Bacterial or fungal growth
- Poor ventilation, no access to sunlight
- Unhygienic lifestyle and unclean homes
Also Check: What Is The Best Product To Kill Mold
Fix Any Cracked Or Broken Pipes
Clearing Mold From Carpets
A carpet is a common place where mold finds refuge. Dropping liquids, or cleaning carpets without properly drying them, is enough to find bacteria growing inside the fibers.
Hand Washing
To avoid discoloration, we recommend avoiding borax, bleach, or chlorine products.
Instead of vinegar, you can also use commercial products. Just ensure that youre selecting one formulated explicitly for carpets.
Drying the Area
When possible, hang your carpet outside, under the sun. If its attached to the floor, drying the carpet will play an important role in removing the mold and its smell. Here are some tips:
- Towel or cloth: Remove as much moisture as possible using a dry towel or cloth.
- Ventilation: Maintain good airflow in the room. Use fans and open the windows until the carpet is fully dry.
- Humidifier: If you own one, place it close by. Itll absorb some of the moisture.
- Hair dryer: Use the hot air of a hairdryer to make the drying process faster.
Using a Steamer
For that reason, the entire carpet needs to be treated. Depending on the surface, it may take longer and more elbow grease than you originally planned.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Mold Mildew Out Of Clothes