When Life Gives You Mold

The National Indoor Mold Society has established September as Mold Awareness Month. Mold is a common issue that could affect any home, hitting those in hot, humid areas more frequently. Mold is a diverse group of fungi known for causing extensive property damage and health risks. They are plant-like organisms that are a natural part of the environment, often thriving in warm, moist conditions. Mold can cause many illnesses like athlete’s foot, allergies, and other conditions. Here are some ways to kill the spores on common surfaces of your house.

Hard Surfaces

• Scrub the area with hot, soapy water.
• Mix one gallon of water with a three-fourths cup of bleach (or vinegar for a more natural approach) in a well-ventilated area.
• Apply the solution to the affected area.
• Allow it to sit for five minutes.
• Rinse and mop/wipe the area.

Rugs, Upholstery, and Mattresses

• Take the items outside while it is dry and sunny out.
• Brush off and vacuum the loose mold spores. Change vacuum bag or empty canister as soon as you finish.
• Leave outside for 24 hours to allow the sun to kill off the remaining spores.
• If there is still mold, present the next day, mix a sudsy solution with soap and water.
• Sponge the affected area carefully because you don’t want to make it too wet.
• Wipe off the suds with a slightly damp cloth.
• Let it air dry for another 24 hours.

Stuffed Animals, Clothes, Pillows, and Blankets

• Wash them on their own cycle in the washing machine at the hottest setting possible.
• Dry like normal.
• Once finished, doing a mold load (or loads) run an empty cycle with an Affresh Cleaning Tablet (or two) or other washing machine cleaner. If you don’t want to use these products, a cup of bleach will do just fine. This will kill any spores that linger behind that could cling to non-moldy items, spreading them throughout the house.

The Bathroom

Bathrooms are the second biggest magnets for mold growth, with basements coming in first. You should clean them regularly to prevent spores from growing and becoming a health hazard. Here is a cleaning plan to do such that.

• Scrub the tub, shower, toilet, and sink with a mild detergent solution made from warm water and a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent.
• Scrub these same surfaces with a solution of one quart of water and a fourth cup of bleach (or vinegar)
• Wait twenty minutes and repeat step two.
• Rinse with water and dry with a towel.

Natural Homemade Mold Spray

• Add one cup of white vinegar to a spray bottle.
• Add 20 drops, or five teaspoons, of Tea Tree Oil to the spray bottle.
• Close the bottle and shake vigorously for ten seconds to combine.
• Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Chemical-Based Mold Spray

• This works best on non-porous surfaces. When making this, do so in a well-ventilated area.
• Add one and a half cups of water to a spray bottle.
• Add a fourth cup of bleach to the spray bottle.
• Add one Tablespoon of Borax to the spray bottle.
• Close and shake vigorously for ten seconds to combine.
• Let it sit for 30 minutes.

If the mold area is larger than ten square feet or was caused by sewage or flood water, please contact an experienced professional to ensure proper sanitation.

While cleaning mold of any size, wear long, rubber gloves, safety goggles, an N95 respirator design for mold, long sleeve shirt, long pants, and close-toed shoes or boots. Shower and wash your clothes in their own cycle immediately after the clean-up to prevent spores from spreading throughout the home. Clean shoes thoroughly before wearing them indoors by scrubbing them with a warm water dish soap solution. Sterilize, wash, or toss any cleaning equipment prior to using it in another spot in the house.