What to do If You Have Mold in Your Home

Mold can look like spots. It can be many different colors, and it can smell musty. If you see or smell mold, you should remove it. You do not need to know the type of mold.

If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces with household products, soap, and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.

If You Use Bleach to Clean up Mold

Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce poisonous gas.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you use bleach or any other cleaning product.
Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected areas.
If you need to clean more than 10 square feet, check the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, which gives advice on all building types. You can get it by going to the EPA web site at https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-remediation-schools-and-commercial-buildings-guideexternal icon.

To Prevent Mold Growth in Your Home

Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your home’s humidity at a home improvement store. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after a flood.
Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. You can buy mold inhibitors at paint and home improvement stores.
Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

Who is most at risk for health problems associated with exposure to mold?

People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections. Individuals with chronic respiratory disease (e.g., a chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, asthma) may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.

How do you keep mold out of buildings and homes?

Inspect buildings for evidence of water damage and visible mold as part of routine building maintenance, Correct conditions causing mold growth (e.g., water leaks, condensation, infiltration, or flooding) to prevent mold growth.

Inside your home, you can control mold growth by:

Controlling humidity levels;
Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows, and pipes;
Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.

Specific Recommendations:

Keep humidity levels as low as you can—between 30% and 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity levels change over the course of a day with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.

Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

Should I be concerned about a serious health risk to me and my family?

There is always a little mold everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces.

Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (specifically “mycotoxins”). Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds that can grow in your house. Not all fungi produce mycotoxins and even those that do will not do so under all surface or environmental conditions.

Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors and can smell musty. Color is not an indication of how dangerous a mold may be. Any mold should be removed and the moisture source that helped it grow should be removed.

There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.

Basic Facts about Mold

How common is mold in buildings?

Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.

How do molds get in the indoor environment and how do they grow?

Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.

How do you know if you have a mold problem?

Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled.

How do molds affect people?

Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath.

In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.

In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould pdf icon[PDF – 2.65 MB]external icon. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to the development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies.

A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.

There is no blood test for mold. Some physicians can do allergy testing for possible allergies to mold, but no clinically proven tests can pinpoint when or where a particular mold exposure took place.

How to Remove Mold From a Interior Wall

A major mold infestation can ruin your home—and your health! The first step in mold remediation is learning how to remove mold and perform black mold removal. Almost every home gets mold. We’ll show you how to identify mold and how to remove mold, as well as the big ones, like black mold removal, that have gotten out of hand.

1: How to Get Rid of Mold Overview

Mold is a major-league nuisance. It blackens the grout lines in your shower, discolors drywall, shows up as black spots on the siding, darkens decks, and grows on and rots damp wood everywhere. Even worse, it can be bad for your health. Mold releases microscopic spores that cause allergic reactions, runny noses, and sneezing, as well as irritating, even injurious, odors. We’ll cover how to remove mold, how to get rid of black mold, how to kill mold on wood and what kills mold in a few steps.

How to remove mold and how to perform black mold removal can be done with ordinary household cleaning products. But disturbing big infestations of mold on bathroom walls and other places can be bad for your health, particularly if you are an allergy sufferer or have a weakened immune system. When you discover an extensive mold problem, we recommend that you use the rigorous protective measures we show in Photos 1 – 6, or consider calling in a professional, who knows what kills mold, to handle the problem of how to remove mold. (Search “Industrial Hygiene Consultants” or “Environmental and Ecological Consultants” online to find out how to remove black mold and black mold removal cost. Or call your local public health department on how to get rid of black mold.) And even if you hire pros, read through this article and make sure they follow similar precautions on how to get rid of mold and to keep the mold from spreading throughout your house.

A few types of mold are highly toxic. If you have an allergic reaction to mold or a heavy infestation inside your home, call in a pro to analyze the types. Or call your local public health department and ask for mold-testing advice.

2: How to identify mold

Mold is everywhere. It’s a type of fungus that grows from tiny spores that float in the air. It can grow almost anywhere that spores land and find moisture and a comfortable temperature, between 40 and 100 degrees F. Typically that includes about every damp place in your home.

You can easily spot the most visible type of mold, called mildew, which begins as tiny, usually black spots but often grows into larger colonies. It’s the black stuff you see in the grout lines in your shower, on damp walls, and outdoors on the surfaces of deck boards and painted siding, especially in damp and shady areas. A mildewed surface is often difficult to distinguish from a dirty one. To test for mildew, simply dab a few drops of household bleach on the blackened area. If it lightens after one to two minutes, you have mildew. If the area remains dark, you probably have dirt.

Mildew is a surface type of mold that won’t damage your home’s structure. But other types of mold cause rot. Remove mildew from wood when you probe the suspect area with a screwdriver or other sharp tool (Photo 3). If the wood is soft or crumbles, the fungi have taken hold and rot has begun. We’ll show you how to remove mold from wood in a few steps.

If you have a high concentration of mold, you may smell it. If you detect the typical musty odor, check for mold on damp carpets, damp walls, damp crawlspaces and wet wood under your floors, wet roof sheathing and other damp areas. Clean up these infestations right away before they get worse, and see the following photos for prevention measures on how to remove mold.

3: Removing large infestations requires precautions—and work!

You can scrub away the surface mold common to bathrooms, decks, and siding in a matter of minutes with a 1-to-8 bleach/water mold cleaner solution as one way on how to remove mold. But often mold grows and spreads in places you don’t notice, until you spot surface staining, feel mushy drywall or detect that musty smell.

If you have to remove mold concentrations or perform any black mold removal covering more than a few square feet, where the musty odor is strong or where you find extensive water damage, we recommend that you take special precautions. You want to not only avoid contaminating the rest of the house but also protect yourself from breathing high concentrations of spores and VOCs.

Wear old clothes and shoes that you can launder or throw away after the cleanup work.
Wear special N-95 or P-100 respirators, in addition to goggles and gloves.
Set an old box fan or a cheap new one in a window to ventilate the room while working. Throw it out when you’re done cleaning because the spores are almost impossible to clean off. Tape plywood or cardboard around the window openings so the spores can’t blow back in.
Wrap and tape moldy carpeting in 6-mil plastic, and double-bag mold-infested debris in garbage bags for disposal.
To control airborne spores, moisten moldy areas with a garden sprayer while you work.
Turn off your furnace and air conditioner and cover ducts and doors to contain spores.
Keep your wet/dry vacuum outside when you vacuum.

Moisture damage and large mold infestations go hand in hand. The photos below demonstrate cleaning under an old leaky window where wind-driven rain frequently got into the wall and gave mold a foothold. Learn how to clean your bathroom with bleach here.

White Mold Identification and Treatment for Tampa Residents

White mold growth, while a common problem in residential homes, does not receive the same attention as the black mold. Primarily this is due to the fears surrounding more well known black molds, such as Stachybotrys. However, many white molds are still capable of producing negative health effects and should be dealt with promptly. Curious what kind of white mold you’re dealing with? Read up on mold testing before hiring a pro.

Common locations for white mold growth
Each type of mold has a preference for certain conditions. For example, Stachybotrys often prefers highly saturated materials, such as sheetrock after a flooding event. Because of these preferences, white mold growth is often found in the same location. Below are the most common areas.

Furniture
Mold growth on furniture is often white in color. Additionally, the mold typically has a 3 dimensional, fuzzy growth aspect.

Clothing & Textiles

Clothing, shoes, backpacks – when mold attacks contents within the home, it’s often white or light green in color. This is especially true for leather items. The good news? It’s easier to remove white mold than black mold. While the latter often leaves behind permanent stains, white mold can often be fully removed.

Attic sheathing and framing

White mold tends to grow in high humidity environments rather than areas suffering from total saturation. This is why it’s less common to see mold growth on base trim after a flooding event. The vast majority of attic mold is caused by humidity, which is why white mold growth is common here.

Crawlspaces

White mold is often found in two locations in a crawlspace, exposed soil and the lower portions of the floor joists. In cool climates, mold growth on floor joists is rare. But when it occurs, it’s often white in color.

In wet climates, exposed soil in a crawlspace will often propagate mold growth. Typically this is due to a missing or incomplete vapor barrier. The combination of an organic food source (dirt), excess moisture and limited airflow creates the perfect conditions for mold growth. In nearly all cases, white rather than black mold grows in the soil.

Does white mold lead to wood rot?

In short – no. Rot (dry rot, wet rot, white rot, brown rot) is caused by wood decay fungi. These are distinct from molds and are relatively small in number in comparison to molds. They require much higher levels of available water to grow. The name ‘dry rot’ is a complete misnomer, as all rot requires elevated quantities of moisture. If you find white mold growing on building material, it will not morph into rot.

However, this doesn’t mean your wood won’t rot. If you have a high quantity of moisture, eventually wood decay fungi will take over. This will happen regardless of whether or not you had any mold growing beforehand.

How can I tell the difference between white mold and efflorescence?

White mold growth provides an additional challenge because it is often confused with efflorescence, a crystalline growth structure found on concrete and masonry surfaces. Efflorescence occurs when water moves through a masonry structure, bringing unbounded salts to the surface. When the water evaporates, a white, fluffy structure is left behind. This growth, while harmless, can appear very similar to white mold growth.

White mold can be found anywhere conditions conducive to mold growth are present. Common areas of white mold growth include attic sheathing and crawlspace framing.

A trained mold inspector can readily determine if the growth structure is from white mold or efflorescence. Additionally, efflorescence will typically dissolve under the application of a water mist, while mold growth will not. Other helpful distinguishing characteristics include the material of the substrate. Efflorescence will only occur on concrete, brick or other masonry structures. If you find a white mold-like substance on sheetrock or wood, you can certainly rule out efflorescence. Another indication, though imperfect, is the presence of a mold smell. Efflorescence is odorless, while mold growth often produces a musty odor.

Can a color be used to identify the type of mold?

You cannot positively determine the exact type of mold based on the color. To determine the specific type of mold, you’ll need mold testing. However, color can be used to rule out certain types of mold. For example, Stachybotrys is always black. If you find white mold growth on a pair of shoes, you can rest assured it is not Stachybotrys. The same is true of chromium and a number of other mold types.

Unfortunately, many types of mold such as Cladosporium and Penicillium/Aspergillus come in a variety of colors. These molds can appear in everything from white or green to brown and black. This limits our ability to determine the exact type of mold by simply assessing its color. To fully identify the species or genus of the mold a sample must be collected and sent to a lab for analysis.

A tape lift sample is often the best method for determining the type of mold growth. In the photo below a sample of white mold is being taken from attic sheathing. Lab testing determined the growth was Acremonium.

Tape lift sample of white mold growing in the attic.
Tape lift sample of white mold growth.

Is white mold dangerous?

Many molds can provoke allergic responses in sensitive individuals. No area of significant mold growth within the home should be considered safe. Proper identification of the underlying cause, removal, and cleanup should be performed regardless of the color of the mold growth.

What tests are used to identify white mold?

Direct mold sampling can be used to identify the species of white mold. Types of direct sampling include tape lift, swab, and bulk samples. These samples are collected by a technician and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The lab will first determine if the suspect’s growth is mold, and if so, what species of mold.

Are there any special concerns for mold remediation when dealing with white mold?

Your approach to mold cleanup should remain the same regardless of the color. Remember, many types of molds, even non-toxic molds, are capable of causing an allergic response. Because of this, the color of the mold is inconsequential. Many non-allergenic molds are white, as are a number of allergenic molds. Confusing the issue, even more, is the fact that we simply don’t know the allergenic capabilities of the vast majority of molds. Conclusion = treat them all the same.

What Is White Mold?

White mold is an example of the fungus, but it isn’t just one type of mold. White mold describes a wide range of mold species that can appear white in color. Because of the white color quality of such mold species, white mold might be tough to identify. But as is with any mold, it’s essential that you can identify its presence so that you can have the mold growth properly addressed, and removed, to prevent further issues.

What is White Mold?

White mold is not a specific type of mold – many species of mold may appear white. The species of white mold commonly found in homes are aspergillus, Cladosporium, and penicillium. All these molds may also appear gray, green, black or other tints. Moreover, all molds thrive in moist areas where a food source like wood is present.

Generally, it’s not necessary to determine the type of mold you have in your home – all molds have the same negative effects.

Some molds may appear white in their early stages of development. Later, these molds may change color after producing spores. Yet, many molds appear white regardless of age because their spores are not pigmented. The lack of spore pigmentation is caused by the type of material it’s growing on.

Also, white mold appears as powdery and may blend in with the materials it’s growing on, which makes it hard to tell that it’s actually molded.

White Mold vs Mildew and Efflorescence

Sometimes, people confuse white mold with mildew, which may also have a white appearance. However, mildew rarely grows on surfaces other than plants and doesn’t destroy materials. White mold, on the other hand, penetrates the surface of porous materials like wood or drywall and can ruin them.

It’s also common for people to confuse white mold with a substance called efflorescence. It’s a type of salt deposit caused by salty water that seeps through concrete, brick or stone. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind a white crystalline substance that looks similar to white mold.

Unlike white mold though, efflorescence does not pose any health risks and won’t grow or spread.

To tell whether a substance is a white mold or efflorescence, just look at the affected surface. If it’s masonry, it’s efflorescence. Also, put some of it into a drop of water and if it dissolves, it’s not mold. Lastly, squeeze some of the substance between your fingers and if it breaks into a fine powder, it’s efflorescence.

Is White Mold Dangerous?

All types of mold, including white mold can cause health problems. White mold should be removed as soon as possible to avoid health risks and structural damage. Even milder forms of white mold can endanger your health.

Since some people don’t realize that white mold is mold, it may put them at risk for extended periods. The symptoms induced by white mold include allergic reactions, respiratory infections, eye irritations, dizziness, nausea, headaches, and even depression. If you suspect you or a family member has been affected by mold exposure, consult a doctor and have the mold removed immediately. Call us 866.331.9111

Does a Dehumidifier Kill Mold?

When the humidity in your home is too much to bear, what do you do? If you have a leak in your roof or an appliance is faulty, you fix the problem from its source. But if you can’t fix the problem, mold starts growing and will turn your home into a fungi nightmare. When dealing with such a problem, you might ask yourself: does a dehumidifier remove mold? Let’s find out below.

What is a dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers are portable devices that pull moisture from the air, decreasing the dampness in a room. Ideally, you’d want your home to have a relative humidity between 30 and 60%. This improves comfort and decreases health risks. To monitor the humidity in your home, use a hygrometer, which can be found at most home improvement stores.

Does a dehumidifier remove mold?

Removing all mold spores from your home is nearly impossible. Mold stays “dormant” in the air or on surfaces even when there’s no excess moisture to help it grow. If the humidity in a room increases, mold will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity.

If you have a mold problem in your home, don’t wait. Mold spreads as long as it has a water source. Remove the mold and stop the moisture source (leak, condensation, high humidity, etc.) to prevent more damage and costly repairs. Call a professional restoration company to efficiently deal with the mold and the moisture problem.

So what are the benefits?

Controlling the amount of moisture in your home has health benefits. Dust, mold, pet dander, and other allergens can overtake your home if indoor humidity is too high. Dehumidifiers help reduce these indoor pollutants that can cause allergy triggers such as the stuffy nose, itchy eyes, sneezing or skin rashes. Dehumidifiers also reduce the musty odors linked to high humidity.

In addition to health benefits, dehumidifiers protect wooden items from moisture. Too much moisture in your home can damage your furniture and hardwood.

How do I choose a dehumidifier?

Choosing the right dehumidifier depends on the humidity in your area and how much moisture is released in your home. It’s generally a good idea to have one installed in the basement, bathroom or kitchen where humidity levels are higher.

There are dehumidifiers made for small rooms, but models that cover a whole house also exist. The smallest dehumidifiers absorb 30 pints per day and the largest, 90 pints per day.

Black Mold—And How You Can Stay Safe

You’ve probably heard about the dangers of black mold, an alleged silent killer that hides in water damage and ceiling tiles. But what is black mold? And is it dangerous?

Black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, surfaces as blackish-green spots or blemishes. It lives on moist, cellulose-rich surfaces like fiberboard, drywall, and gypsum board. Black mold is most attracted to moisture, which is why it lives in previously-flooded homes, leaky pipe areas, or anywhere with water damage.

Here’s how you can treat and prevent black mold in your home:

Size up the problem spot—when to choose DIY vs. the pros
Air out your home
Wear protective gear
Create a bleach cleaning solution
Watch for future water damage
Keep your home clean and dry

Is Black Mold Dangerous?

The short answer is—not really. But that doesn’t mean you should keep black mold as a pet.

Everyone has different levels of tolerance to allergens like mold spores, but that’s all black mold is—an allergen.¹ Those with asthma, respiratory allergies, or immune suppression will feel the effects of black mold’s mycotoxins more than most folks.

As one source put it, “Previous reports of ‘toxic mold syndrome’ or ‘toxic black mold’ have been shown to be no more than media hype and mass hysteria.” ²

But whether you feel black mold symptoms or not, it’s best to get rid of black mold as soon as you find it.

What Are the Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure?

If you find black mold on your property, there’s no need to panic. But black mold presents more health risks to sensitive groups like those with respiratory conditions or immune conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), black mold spores can generate cold- or flu-like symptoms such as:

Stuffy nose
Wheezing
Skin and eye irritation

Longer exposure can cause more serious symptoms like:

Fever
Shortness of breath
Nausea

So while black mold probably won’t kill you, it can make you feel sick and should be removed as soon as possible.

How Does Black Mold Get Inside a House?

Mold spores find their way inside by hitchhiking on clothes, pet fur, and air currents into your home. But spores can’t get comfortable without plenty of water. This is why you’ll usually find black mold around water-damaged areas impacted by plumbing issues like floods or leaky pipes.

Materials like drywall, carpet, or gypsum board can soak up water, creating a perfect home for a black mold colony. If you find water damage at home, it’s crucial to remove all the affected materials to prevent mold from growing.

Black Mold Removal and Cleaning

Mold remediation in stores, offices, or schools is best left to the pros. This also applies to household mold exceeding 10 square feet.

The contractors you choose should have insurance and licenses from organizations like the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Homeowners can handle cleaning about 10 square feet (roughly 3 feet by 3 feet) of black mold on their own.³ If the patch is small enough, a combination of bleach, water, scrubbing, and ventilation should do the trick.

Before treating mold on your own, prioritize ventilation and protective gear.

Pro Tip

Find a contractor in your area to get started.

Clear the Air

Start the cleaning process by opening doors and windows to create a cross breeze. Dehumidifiers can also dry up the air and strip precious moisture away from mold growth.

Protect Yourself

Even if you aren’t sensitive to mold, it’s nasty stuff. Be sure to wear protective eyewear, non-porous gloves, and a breathing mask to protect yourself from getting sick.

Create a Bleach Mixture

If the black mold growth in your home is small enough for you to treat alone, a simple mixture of bleach and water can help. Add one cup of bleach to one gallon of water and apply it to the moldy spots. You can also find commercial black mold removal products.

Apply the cleaner to the mold spot and scrub away the growth. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly when you’re done.

Important: Do NOT mix bleach with ammonia. This combination can create toxic fumes that are far more dangerous than any mold you’re trying to clean.

Black Mold Prevention

Nobody wants black mold in their home or building. Follow these rules to reduce the chances of mold on your property.

Watch for Water

Flooding, leaky pipes, and malfunctioning appliances can all cause water damage. Once water seeps into a porous surface like drywall, black mold and its cousins are likely to appear. Water detectors can help you catch faulty appliances and leaks early.

If you do find water damage in your home, treat it and cut off the problem area’s water source as soon as possible. You’ll also need to remove flooring, ceiling tiles, or any other material that was affected by the water.

Keep It Clean and Dry

It never hurts to clean regularly. Make sure humid areas and rooms with plumbing get regular spot checks. Add mold and mildew removal products to your cleaning routine, especially for the bathroom and kitchen.

Mold thrives on moisture, so use dehumidifiers in humid areas of your home like bathrooms, basements, or closets.

The Verdict on Black Mold: Best Avoided—But Not Deadly

As for black mold’s toxic reputation, those with immune suppression, asthma, or other respiratory problems are most at risk of feeling ill.

It’s not likely that you’ll die from black mold poisoning because it’s just not that toxic. That said, you should act quickly if you find it in your home. The good news is it’s treatable, removable, and preventable.

3 Ways to Kill Mold Naturally, Tampa Residents

One of the most commonly known facts about mold is that it loves growing in dark, damp, warm, and humid places. This makes your kitchen, basement, and bathroom three ideal places in your house where you are likely to see the growth of mold. The main reason for that is these three areas are in constant contact with moisture, which presents an ideal breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

There may be times when mold is growing in your home, and you may not even realize it. This is because it tends to enter and grow very quietly and quickly before you can even sense it or notice its presence.

This is why you should always be well-equipped with tools that can help you with immediate mold removal. Leaving mold untreated can be very dangerous as it can lead to several illnesses and allergies, and can also damage the infrastructure of your home.

Therefore, you must get rid of it immediately. Here are some natural ways to kill mold to get rid of it at first sight. Before that, though, make sure you wear the right protective equipment (gloves, a mask, etc.)

Vinegar

This common household ingredient works as an excellent mold-killer and successfully cuts through the growth of mold spores. It has a very pungent smell and has great stinging properties that ensure successful mold removal.

The best way to use vinegar to kill mold is to spray it directly onto the affected areas. If the smell is too overpowering for you, you can dilute it with a little bit of water. After spraying it on the mold-affected areas, let it sit for a few hours during which it will not only kill the mold but will also prevent it from growing any further.

After a few hours, scrub the surface with a hard brush and then wipe it with a clean cloth.

Hydrogen Peroxide

This is another ingredient commonly found in most households, and it features great anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. It is extremely effective for mold-removal from a variety of areas, such as floors, tile grout, the kitchen sink, the bathroom shower, etc.

Pour three percent hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and then spray it on all the mold-affected areas. Leave it for only ten minutes since it is very strong and highly reactive.

After ten minutes, scrub the surface with a brush till it’s perfectly clean. Wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth in order to remove any mold residue that may have been left behind.

Baking Soda

Known as one of the most versatile ingredients that can be found around the house, baking soda has excellent properties that effectively kill and remove mold from your home. The best part about it is that it not only kills the mold but also absorbs all the moisture from the affected areas to prevent it from growing again.

Simply mix some baking soda with water and spray the mixture on the moldy areas. With the help of a scrubbing brush or a damp cloth, scrub the area till the mold is effectively removed. Since baking soda is very mild and is a natural disinfectant, it doesn’t leave any lingering smell or residue. If the growth of mold has spread too much in your home, it is best to immediately call a mold remediation company to ensure quick and effective mold removal.

Tag: MOLD CLEANING