How to Remove Mold in Every Area of the House

Just the thought of mold removal can give us the willies, but spotting mold — any type of it — in the home triggers panic and a stream of questions. Do I need to hire someone for mold remediation? Can I just clean it up myself?

If you find a mold problem in your home, remain calm but act quickly. Chances are some DIY cleanup will get rid of the mold (and the subsequent mildew smell) and things will be fine. After that, it's all about moisture control — cleaning mold is pointless if you don't also take care of the water or dampness problem that caused it in the first place. To prevent further mold growth, you'll have to dry all damp furnishings, building materials and areas within 24 to 48 hours after first contact with water or after cleaning. Failure to include this in your approach will simply result in reappearance of the problem.

If Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines indicate that it's reasonable for you to do your own mold removal, you'll need to wear protective clothing and safety gear.

To avoid inhaling airborne mold and mold spores, wear a well-fitted respirator, whether it's the type with removable cartridges that block spore entrance or a NIOSH-certified N95 filtering-facepiece respirator that includes a nozzle. Protect your eyes from mold spores with nonvented safety goggles and wear protective rubber gloves that reach midforearm unless you're using extra-strength cleaning solutions, disinfectants or chlorine bleach. For this, gloves made from neoprene, polyurethane, PVC, natural rubber or nitrile are best. If there's standing water after a flood, don waterproof boots. Finally, deal with potential bleach splatters by digging out your nastiest old clothes — some you won't mind tossing afterward.

If your mold cleanup isn't in response to flood damage but is confined to a smaller area or spot in your house, just some basic cleaning supplies should do it. You'll need the following:

• Bucket
• Stiff-bristle brush
• Paper towels
• Household bleach, distilled white vinegar, 3-percent hydrogen peroxide or borax
  
• Nonphosphate dish detergent
• Old cloths
  

Mold cleanup after more extensive damage, such as a flood, calls for these additional supplies:

• Wet/dry vacuum
• Large plastic resealable bags
• Large plastic trash bags
• Old towels
• Vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
  

We often think of bleach in regard to mold removal, but instead of routinely recommending bleach, the EPA often advises simply wiping mold with water and mild detergent. Several other more natural and less harsh products are also effective against mold, so it's a good idea to get informed before you choose.

If you use household bleach for cleaning mold, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Regular household bleach should be mixed 1 cup to 1 gallon of water and applied with a spray bottle or sponge.
• Bleach kills nearly any type of mold it meets. Because it creates an environment on the surface that's resistant to future mold growth, rinse after use only if it's a surface used for food preparation or something children might handle.
• Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when using bleach is that you should never mix bleach solution with other household cleaners, especially ammonia, hydrogen peroxide or acids, such as vinegar.

Not wanting to use bleach? There are many other types of strong cleaning products that can still knock mold out of any surface.

• An undiluted 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide can be sprayed, allowed to stand for several minutes and then wiped. Just keep in mind that because peroxide can take the color out of fabrics and other materials, you should test a spot first.
• Borax can be mixed 1 cup to 1 gallon of water. Before use, vacuum any loose mold using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Scrub with a brush to clean the mold and do not rinse. Wipe up excess to prevent it from spreading as it dries.
• Undiluted white distilled vinegar should be sprayed on the moldy surface and left for one hour. Wipe clean with water and let it dry.
• Nonphosphate dish detergent mixes with water to make a nontoxic, soapy solution for wiping and scrubbing mold, and it's not as harsh as bleach.

The EPA recommends that homeowners handle mold removal only when water damage is from clean water (not sewer backup or contaminated water) and when there is less than 10 square feet of actual mold present. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Although the basic principles of cleaning mold from household surfaces are roughly the same, different materials may require extra special care so that you don't damage them.

Vacuum surface mold with a HEPA vacuum or mop with water and mild nonphosphate dish detergent (bleach does not penetrate wood to kill mold). Before attempting to remove the finish from your flooring, identify the type of finish and whether it's actually safe to strip it. Dry quickly and completely.

To avoid mold, wet carpets and pads must be taken up and dried thoroughly within 48 hours of getting wet. Otherwise, discard them. Use a water extraction vacuum followed by fans, dehumidifiers, air conditioners or heaters. Clean moldy areas with a sponge and a carpet cleaning product or have it professionally shampooed. Apply hydrogen peroxide to stubborn mold stains after testing for colorfastness. If unsuccessful, toss the carpet.

Normally, you will discard them. If the mold growth is minimal, try cleaning with a damp cloth using a solution of water and mild nonphosphate detergent. Dry them quickly.

These can be dried in place if there's no apparent swelling and if seams are intact. Thoroughly dry within 48 hours and discard any wet insulation. Use a HEPA vacuum and wipe them down with nonphosphate detergent. If drywall and wallboard is left in place to dry, take steps to ventilate the wall cavity.Hard-surface furniture: Wipe off visible mold with a damp rag and a solution of water and nonphosphate detergent. If sewage water was involved, use a bleach and water solution. Dry items thoroughly, keeping them out of direct sunlight to prevent warping.

Try to salvage by reupholstering only if sentimental value is involved or if it was in contact with clean water only briefly. Even minimal mold damage can be impossible to remove from such items.

Brush off mold spores with a clean cloth and then wipe with a solution of water and nonphosphate detergent. Wipe off any soapy residue, dry completely and then apply a leather conditioner. Leather items can also be wiped down using a 50/50 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol before drying and applying conditioner.

If washable, pretreat mold stains using a detergent containing no ammonia. Wash in the hottest water allowed by the fabric label instructions. Use oxygen-based bleach for colors and delicates and chlorine bleach for colorfast, bleach-safe items.

Use a HEPA vacuum or, if water is present, a wet/dry vacuum. Scrub the area with a bleach or vinegar solution, rinse and after cleaning the nozzle on the wet/dry vacuum, use it again to remove rinse water. Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry.