Mold may be found in various areas around your house. Mold, on the other hand, need a wet environment in order to thrive. It doesn’t matter how good you clean your home; it may still appear. Mold is a typical concern for many individuals, whether it’s a few stains on your shower door tracks or large breakouts in the nooks of your basement. If you have a mold problem, your house and your health might be in jeopardy. Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself in a mold crisis.
Can you clean the mold yourself?
When it comes to mold remediation, many people wonder if they can do it on their own. You can but wearing protective gear can help reduce your exposure to mold particles in the air. Protect your hands and forearms by putting on a pair of long rubber gloves. Wearing goggles or other eye protection is also a good idea when cleaning mold from ceilings or other overhead places, since bleach and other chemicals may easily spill into your eyes.
There may be a significant moisture issue if the mold problem is more than a few areas. If the problem is widespread, you’ll need the help of a professional to get it taken care of.
Effective products for cleaning mold
Fortunately, there are a few items that are quite successful in removing and avoiding mold:
- Chlorine bleach – to kill mold and remove discoloration, use sodium hypochlorite or normal home bleach. It’s pretty sharp, so dilute it before using. Additionally, you should avoid inhaling the bleach vapors.
- Hydrogen peroxide – this is a milder alternative to chlorine bleach that will remove mold and brighten stains. Unlike chlorine bleach, it does not emit any odors or leave any residue after use.
- Distilled white vinegar – vinegar is acidic and slowly destroys mold. However, mold stains may persist and require repeated cleaning with a home cleaner. Vinegar’s moderate acid destroys roughly 82 percent of known molds and can help avoid subsequent outbreaks.
- Baking soda and borax – mold cannot grow or survive in baking soda or borax due to their high pH. Both items are cheap, non-toxic, and easy to use. Borax removes stains better than baking soda, but not as well as a stronger cleaner.
How to remove mold from certain places or surfaces in your home?
Interior walls, flooring, and carpets – if the mold is fuzzy and black, it might be far more dangerous than merely unattractive. To examine for structural damage, the area should be opened. To clean mold off of porous surfaces such as wood and drywall, a detergent should be added to the bleach and water solution. Carpets that have mold or a musty odor should be entirely removed. Clean the area completely with a wet/dry vacuum and let it air-dry for a few days before restoring the flooring.
Exterior home surfaces – although chlorine bleach is good for cleaning all types of house exterior, concrete, brick, and stone, it is toxic to plants and grass. Cover any plants that are susceptible with thick plastic sheeting. Allow for total air drying after using bleach to clean the mold spots. Make sure to rinse your plants with plain water to preserve them even more.
Shower tile and grout, shower curtains and liners -mold thrives in a moist, stale environment like a bathroom, where there is a high concentration of human excrement. Chlorine bleach and water are far less expensive and equally as effective as the many commercial cleaners available. Use a mold and mildew spray that’s suitable for your plastic shower curtain or liner to get rid of the mold. Wait for the stains to fade, then rinse them out with soap and water.
Household appliances – mold-feeding appliances like washers, refrigerators, and coffee machines require frequent cleaning. Clean empty washers with hot water and chlorine bleach once a month. Inspect the front-load washer door seals for mold growth that might cause moldy-smelling clothing. Distilled white vinegar also inhibits mold development and cleans refrigerators and coffee machines.
Fabric, shoes, coats, accessories, and furniture – If moist clothes or exercise equipment are stored in a bag for too long, mold will eventually start growing. If you find mold on these fabrics, wash them on the hottest option available or dry clean them. If possible, clean leather jackets, shoes, handbags, and furniture outdoors. Wipe the surface with distilled white vinegar, then leather soap and warm water. Dry fully with a soft cloth, and after drying thoroughly, condition the leather.
Call the professionals
A specialist should be called in if the mold spans 10 square feet or more. Removing big mold colonies necessitates the use of harsh chemicals as well as the proper disposal of affected construction components. Local public health departments can provide mold testing advice and connect you to a professional mold remover.
Knowing how to remove mold with hydrogen peroxide and vinegar is a straightforward remedy that works on practically all surfaces and places. In most cases, homeowners, landlords, and property managers are able to deal with mold on their own. As a general rule, mold remediation will cost several thousand dollars for treatment alone and additional charges to restore the property to its pre-mold state.
Keep an eye out for mold development in your house to save yourself the trouble, the cost of repairs, and the discomfort of mold cleanup chemicals. Keep an eye out for moisture spots, fix damaged seals, and leave doors open to bring fresh air into your home to keep it mold-free.
