Cleaning Black Mold

Cleaning black mold and black mold removal are most likely beyond the scope of the house cleaning services you'll want to provide. Black mold can be lethal. Learn to ID it, and leave it alone!

Black mold grows as the result of moisture so common places where you would find this type of mold includes the bathtub, shower, kitchen sink, dishwasher, under bathroom and kitchen cabinets, laundry rooms, and any place where there has been a leak.

In this article on cleaning black mold, we want to first address tips on finding it. As mentioned above, black mold is notorious for growing in areas where there is water or moisture. Black mold can be cleaned in some instances but we highly recommend the problem be removed completely. Otherwise, the spores of the mold can become airborne and when inhaled, they cause sickness and unfortunately, sometimes death.

Take time to go through the home you are cleaning, focusing your attention on areas where black mold would most likely be found. If you notice black spots, it could be just mildew, or it could be black mold.

Remember, for black mold to germinate and grow, it only needs 24 hours. Therefore, look at any place of the home that might have had water leakage or areas with high humidity such as the bathroom. Common places where black mold loves to hide is behind baseboards, behind walls, and again, underneath cabinets.

In this section, we want to provide tips on black mold removal. If you have a business that offers this service, you need to start by blocking off the area so the spores do not filter to other areas of the client’s home. Additionally, one of the most important steps when learning how to clean black mold is always wear a protective face mask and rubber gloves. This way, your skin and lungs are protected.

You will need special equipment and protective gear for black mold removal. Black mold is a hazardous material. Take classes and get special training if you want to attack this aspect of cleaning.

There is a big difference between a small mildew problem, other kinds of mold and fungus, and black mold. If you encounter other kinds of mold, you can clean carefully with bleach and the problem is solved, in most cases.

Our best suggestion to you is not to try to remove black mold on your own -- unless you have the specific tools and training to do so.

Another piece of information regarding cleaning black mold is that everything used for cleaning should be destroyed, not thrown out. This means placing the face mask, gloves, sponge, rags, drop cloth, and even spray bottle in a plastic bag and taking it to a business that handles toxic substances. Even baseboard, drywall, or other contaminated items need to be properly destroyed.

Be sure to wear old clothing in that this too should be placed in the bag and destroyed. Putting the contaminated items in the regular garbage is dangerous by putting other people at risk.

This is why black mold removal is such a big job. It's dangerous, and abatement requires construction tools, not just cleaning knowledge.

Our final tip on cleaning black mold is about fixing the underlying problem. It is important to identify the cause of the mold and then advise the client to have it fixed immediately.

For instance, if the owner of the home might not notice a leaky washing machine hose. It needs to be replaced. If there have been small leaks in the basement because the foundation is not high enough or sloping away from the structure, the homeowner should address this problem as well. Once the problem is fixed, the chances of ever needing to identify or deal with cleaning black mold or black mold removal decreases dramatically.

When you notice these areas of a home, areas in which there's standing water or dampness, tell your client. Ultimately, clean what you can and know where to draw the line in the services you can offer.

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