Mold spores circulate in the air, and they can cling to clothing, shoes, animals, furniture, and virtually anything else. Regular cleaning and proper maintenance of your home will help reduce the amount of spores that get in. Contact Mold Removal In Brooklyn for professional help.
The first step of a professional mold remediation involves assessing the severity of the infestation. This includes identifying the type and extent of the mold, as well as locating the source of moisture.
Mold is an unwanted and sometimes dangerous fungus that thrives on damp surfaces. It can grow on wood, window sills, carpet, wall framing, and more. It can appear as small, penny-sized spots or can grow to the point where it covers entire walls if not treated promptly. Mold spores are easily spread, which is why it’s important to treat the problem immediately as soon as you see it and eliminate the root cause.
The good news is, you probably have all the necessary cleaning products at home. You can use items that are both natural and nontoxic to get rid of mold, such as vinegar, baking soda, and natural fruits. Using natural remedies to clean your mold is safer and more effective than harsh chemicals, especially for those with sensitive skin or respiratory conditions.
Start by removing any furniture or obstacles blocking access to the affected area. This way, you can get to the contaminated surface more easily without getting mold spores on other parts of your home. Before you start cleaning, be sure to wear protective clothing and a face mask to protect yourself from inhaling the mold spores while they’re still alive.
Baking soda is another excellent natural cleaner that can kill mold spores and break down the toughest of mold stains. Combine equal parts of baking soda and water in a spray bottle, then spray the solution directly on the moldy surface. After spraying, scrub the area with a scrub brush or scouring pad. When finished, rinse the cleaned surface with clean water and dry it with a sponge or cloth.
While this method is effective for many surfaces, it’s not recommended for use on delicate or porous materials like marble, terra cotta, and limestone. If you have these types of surfaces in your home, consult a professional mold removal expert to learn how to properly care for them.
Another natural cleaning agent that is effective against mold is tea tree oil. Make sure to purchase real tea tree oil, which is derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant. To use it, mix a teaspoon of tea tree oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle and apply to the affected surface.
Chlorine Bleach
Bleach is an inexpensive, readily available product that is commonly used to clean surfaces that are covered in mold growth. It works well on nonporous, hard surface materials such as tile and glass. However, it is not effective in killing the mold spores that live within porous, wood-based, or fabric building materials. Bleach also does not eliminate the musty odor that is often present in a mold problem. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) do not recommend the use of chlorine bleach to kill mold.
Chlorine bleach, known scientifically as sodium hypochlorite, only works to kill the mold when it comes into direct contact with the fungi. When it is applied to a surface that is made of a porous material such as drywall, carpet, or wood, the bleach only whitens the appearance of the mold. The dissolved oxygen in the bleach does not penetrate the surface of the spores and the mold remains. The spores continue to thrive in the ideal, moisture-rich environment of the porous material.
When a bleach solution is applied to these softer materials, it drives the mold spores deep into the fibers where it can then reappear when the material is re-wet. After the re-wetting of the porous material, the mold spores begin to grow again and may become even more visible than they were before the bleach treatment.
Rather than using bleach, it is recommended that other at-home cleaning solutions such as hydrogen peroxide or baking soda be utilized. These products are much safer, easier to apply and more effective at removing mold from the surface of the material. However, before any cleaning solutions are applied it is important that the moisture issue that led to the mold growth be addressed and that the affected area is properly ventilated by opening doors and windows and using a fan to exhaust the air out of the room. It is also recommended that personal protective equipment be worn throughout the cleaning process including gloves, goggles, and a N-95 respirator.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent that destroys bacteria, viruses, and mold spores by oxidising their membranes and breaking down their proteins and DNA. It is commonly used to disinfect open wounds, but it has also become a popular household cleaner and can be used to fight mold infestations. Hydrogen peroxide does not produce toxic fumes or leave behind a harmful residue, and it is inexpensive and easy to find. This makes it a desirable cleaning hack for fighting stubborn mold problems.
Unfortunately, hydrogen peroxide is not a complete solution to mold infestations and may make the problem worse in some cases. While it is effective in removing mold from hard, non-porous surfaces, it fails to kill mycotoxins – dangerous carcinogens produced by some types of mold that can cause health issues such as liver disease and kidney failure.
In addition, hydrogen peroxide can damage some materials if it is not used properly. It can react with certain acidic substances, such as vinegar, to create peracetic acid – a chemical that can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. It can also bleach some natural fabrics, such as wool, if it is exposed to them for an extended period of time.
If you choose to use hydrogen peroxide as a cleaning method for your mold problems, be sure to wear an N95 mask, gloves, and goggles to protect yourself from the spores and keep them from spreading. Also, make sure to test it on a small area of the surface to ensure it does not damage or discolour it.
If the test results are positive, pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and apply it generously to the moldy surface, ensuring full coverage. Wait 10 minutes, and then scrub the mold with a brush or rag. Scrub gently at first to prevent damaging the surface underneath, and then scrub harder if needed. After scrubbing, wipe the surface dry to prevent moisture from lingering in the area and encouraging new mold growth.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a mild and non-toxic cleaning solution that works well to remove mold from surfaces, including porous ones. It unbalances the pH of the environment in which the mold grows, killing the spores and making it difficult for them to grow again. It’s also slightly abrasive, which helps physically scrub the surface of the mold, and it absorbs moisture, further reducing the damp environment in which the mold thrives.
In addition to being safe for people and pets, baking soda is relatively inexpensive. It’s a great choice for people who want to clean up a small outbreak of mold without using more aggressive chemical solutions. It can also be used to scrub surface mold off non-porous surfaces, such as walls and countertops.
When it comes to removing mold from clothing, baking soda is a bit more controversial. While it can help kill some types of mold, it’s not particularly effective on others, and it can leave behind a strong odor. While it can be a good option for a few small patches of mold, it’s generally best to take your clothes to the dry cleaners or to wash them in the washing machine, especially if they are labeled “dry clean only.”
One of the most common old wives tales involves using everyday vinegar as a cure for black mould outbreaks. There’s some truth to this, as vinegar is acidic and attacks the structure of the mold, destroying it. Vinegar is quick and cheap, and it can also be useful for preventing future mold growth in the same area if it’s applied frequently.
To use this method, simply combine one teaspoon of baking soda with two cups of water and stir until dissolved. Spray the solution onto the infected area, and then scrub it vigorously with a brush or scouring pad. Rinse the area thoroughly, and then dry it. It’s important to dry the space completely after cleaning, as a damp environment can encourage further mold growth. If you’d like, add a few drops of essential oil such as tea tree or grapefruit seed extract to your baking soda solution to boost its antifungal properties.