How to Clean Moldy Areas
You can clean small mold problems yourself. Use a diluted bleach solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water. You can add a few drops of detergent if you wish to get rid of any grime as well. Ensure the detergent does not contain ammonia as combined with bleach, ammonia can cause deadly toxic fumes. Use caution as bleach can be corrosive. If you have concerns about using bleach, try a solution of detergent and water. It is vital you protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and a disposable dust mask.
Ventilate the area as much as possible as bleach fumes can be irritating. Apply the bleach mixture, scrub the entire area, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with clean water and dry the area thoroughly; this is essential if you want to reduce the risk of mold returning. Use a fan to get air circulating in the area. Get rid of all sponges or rags you used to clean the mold and immediately wash the clothes you wore while cleaning.
Cleaning Specific Surfaces
Clean Wood: If the wood is dry, vacuum the mold from the surface of the wood. If the wood is damp apply a solution of mild detergent and water (no bleach) and clean with a damp rag. If the mold remains, sand the wood, vacuuming as you go. If the mold is throughout the piece, it should be discarded.
Clean Paint: Never paint over a moldy area as this will not stop the mold from growing. Clean as suggested above and ensure the area dries quickly.
Clean Vinyl or Linoleum Floors: Apply the bleach solution described above, scrub, and rinse with clean water. Dry the area thoroughly, discarding the cleaning materials used on the floor.
Clean Concrete: Vacuum the affected area and scrub it with the bleach and detergent solution. Do not leave the area wet for long.
Clean Drywall: It is best to replace the affected piece(s) of drywall to prevent the return of mold. Before putting on the new drywall, ensure the areas behind and around it are not contaminated by mold and there are no wet areas that need to be fixed. Small moldy patches on drywall can be vacuumed and then cleaned with the bleach and detergent solution, making sure to not make the area even moister.
Clean Clothes: Moldy clothes should be dry cleaned or washed with laundry detergent and a cup of bleach. Before adding the bleach ensure the detergent does not contain ammonia. Repeat if necessary.
Clean Carpets: Moldy carpets, rugs, and underlay should be replaced. It may be frustrating to toss out what seems like perfectly good carpet but there is no way to get 100% of the mold out of infected carpets.
Keep in mind that it is necessary to fix the underlying cause of moisture that caused the mold growth as well as to remove the current mold. Regularly recheck prior moldy areas for regrowth.
When Should I Get Professional Help?
If the infected area is smaller than 2-3 square metres, you can clean it yourself. Ultimately this is a personal decision; what one person feels comfortable removing, another may not. Enlist the aid of a professional mold remediator (someone who deals with taking care of mold problems) if the thought of removing the mold yourself makes you uneasy. Correct problems as soon as possible to ensure a healthy home.
You should also have a moldy area professionally cleaned if mold keeps returning despite repeated cleanings.
Where Can I Find Professional Help?
In Canada, contact your local Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) office and they will supply you with a list of people qualified to take care of your mold problem. You can also check in your local Yellow Pages index under Mold or Mold Remediation. Mold specialists may be listed under water removal or another heading and the index will point you to them. Before enlisting anyone’s services, ensure they have experience in mold removal. Consider checking with the Better Business Bureau to see if the person/company you plan to use is in good standing.
Getting mold out of your house is worth the effort.
Sources:
Environmental Protection Agency
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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