Have you recently discovered mold in your home? Mold growth can have a negative impact on both you and your home if you don’t address the problem and try to remediate your mold problem before it gets even worse. However, many people aren’t exactly sure how to go about removing the mold that is growing in their homes. Here are some tips on how to remove mold in your home:
Find Out What Kind of Mold It Is & Where It’s Growing
Mold growth is easily identified by the little black patches that quickly grow into enormous colonies. The secret to identifying mold is to use bleach to test it. Mildew can be easily identified by a few drops of home bleach applied to the mold. This generally applies to areas that are exposed to moisture or water. Mildew mold and dirt mold are the two types of black mold.
Mildew mold can be easily removed with bleach, but dirt mold cannot. Other types of mold are hazardous as well, so if you suffer from respiratory issues or are prone to allergies, then it’s best to leave it to the pros to remediate or remove the mold in your home. Once you’ve determined what kind of mold you’re dealing with, then you need to decide how you’re going to remove or remediate it.
Prepare Yourself For Mold Removal
When trying to remove or remediate mold, it’s important to protect oneself. A thin mask isn’t going to help. You’ll need to wear clothes that you can wash right away or, better yet, throw away after use. Remember that mold has a distinct stench, especially if it is thick and crowded.
If you wash your clothes alongside other garments in the washing machine, mold can attach to them and spread to other clothes. Therefore, only wear clothes that you can throw away after you use them instead of washing them. Goggles and gloves will be required. Mold particles can get into your eyes, and if you don’t wear protective gloves when cleaning, mold impact other regions of your body as well.
Since mold spores can rapidly move through the air, it’s essential to keep the space well-ventilated when cleaning. When it comes to the mask you’re wearing, if you have a thin mask, you can layer it to avoid having to buy an N-95 mask if you prefer.
Mold Removal Process
Borax, a white powder that can be found in the grocery, detergent, or laundry aisles of stores, is a common DIY mold treatment formula that comes highly recommended by mold removal specialists. To clean mold using borax, mix one gallon of hot water with the powder. Apply the solution to the moldy surface and scrub it away with a rug or brush until the mold is gone.
Baking soda, vinegar, tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, and detergent are some other safe and effective mold-removal solutions. Put vinegar in a spray bottle if you’re using it. There’s no need to add any water. Spray the area with vinegar and let it sit for an hour.
The final and most crucial step in removing mold is to dry the affected area. Keep in mind that moisture is the primary source of mold growth. Fungi thrive in moist, humid environments. The surface will be damp for a while because you will be cleaning mold with water. By ventilating the area, you can speed up the drying process. Open doors and windows and use a dehumidifier as well if you can. Air movers can also be used to swiftly dry the affected area.
Important Note:
If the mold growth in your home is extreme and/or the result of flooding, then you should have your mold inspected and remediated by a professional mold removal company, as the extent of the mold growth in extreme circumstances is not something that average homeowners will be able to do much about.
If you’re in need of any HVAC cleaning, restoration, or removal services, then don’t hesitate to contact your local mold remediation company in Columbia Heights MN, Clean Air Restoration, today!