How to remove mold safely
Prevention is best, but if you've found a small amount of surface mold (less than 1 square meter or 3 square feet) growing in your home, you can clean it yourself. Remember!. It's the types of mould and the amounts that you inhale that matters. Consider testing air in your home. For instructions on how to test air click How To Sample Air For Total Fungal Spore Counts. Please consult a mold remediation specialist if the mold you find is larger than 1 square meter. And do not attempt to remove areas of mold that are greater than 10 square meters. Refer to the mold remediation guidelines for more information.
Steps to take to get rid of mold
Before you clean, you may want to find out whether the mold you've found is toxic or merely of cosmetic concern. Our visible mold test kit will let you know for sure. If it is toxic, you may want to call a mold remediation specialist even if the area is small.
Enclose the area with plastic to contain dust and spread of spores, wear gloves and a dust mask . Turn the furnace or air conditioner off before you start. Use a throwaway cloth, and enclose it, the plastic enclosure, your gloves and mask inside a plastic bag before you throw it away.
The best cleaner for small amounts of surface mold is ordinary household detergent. Simply wash, and dry the area thoroughly. It's a good idea to check the area the next day because very fine particles can remain as mold dust, which is every bit as harmful as the original mold was.
If it's clean, but still stained, you can paint over it with a good latex paint.
If the mold has grown unchecked for awhile, it may have caused more extensive damage to your home than surface mold can cause. Cellulose is one of mold's favorite foods, and that means it likes drywall. Mold that's underneath the drywall's surface may have to be replaced.
Mold also likes wood and insulation. If mold is growing inside the wall cavity (see Hidden Mold), you may have to replace some wall studs, ceiling or floor joists and the attic insulation.
Or you may have found mold that won't wash off your hardwood floor (Don't sand wood with mold growth. If it can't be washed off, it should be cut out). If you're not confident with home repair, you may need to hire someone in construction to fix this more serious damage.
When mold has caused structural damage, it's always a good idea to consult a professional.
There's always a reason why that mold grew where it did in the first place. So, cleaning alone may not get rid of your mold problem for good. Remember that mold needs three elements to survive: oxygen, a food source and water.
And that means that if you have or had mold in your home, most likely there is or has been a water leak nearby. A pipe may be leaking. Your roof or window sills may be letting some moisture in.
Your house mold's moisture source must be fixed first. Otherwise the mold will simply grow back.
Cleaning mold from furniture and clothing
Furniture
Another concern is the furniture in the room. If you have mold growing on the walls, you don't necessarily have any on your furniture. If you want to be sure or if the furniture has been up against the contaminated wall or area, it may be best to check for signs of mold growth.
If you find mold, many types of furniture can be cleaned with detergent and water, then dried. Soft furnishings that can be thrown in the washing machine should be treated that way.
Household items such as mattresses which cannot be put in the washing machine should probably be replaced if they become contaminated.
Clothing
Clothing is very easy to deal with. It can be washed in the washing machine, which will remove any mold or spores. If there was staining due to mold growth, this may or may not come out in the wash, but it's just a stain. Mold is no longer on clothing after being washed and dried. Many times people are overly concerned that the mold spores or mold toxins would remain permanently on their clothes and continue affecting their health.
In all cases, when handling items or areas that are contaminated by mold, it is best to protect yourself. Wear gloves and a mask if you can.