How to Clean Mold

Mold can be dangerous. If you know how to clean mold that's fine -- but also know when you're in over your head. If the house needs professional remediation, know the signs. This knowledge is for your health and protection and for the health of your house cleaning business clients as well.

Try as we might, mold seems to remain a constant in our homes. It shows up in bathrooms, on fabrics and in fridges. Mold can be hazardous to a family's health and so it is crucial to clean up any mold as soon as you discover it.

There are hundreds of species of mold. Early removal is essential.

An area affected by minor mold growth can be cleaned using these easy steps.

1. Protect yourself. You want to prevent mold from touching your skin. And you also don't want to inhale it. So put on some rubber gloves and a face mask. Mold spores are harmful and precautions need to be taken for your health.

2. Brush off the mold. When cleaning mold off of a surface, use a dry brush or your gloved hand and remove as much mold as you can. This is best done outdoors or at least in a well-ventilated area. Whatever you use to brush off the mold should be steam-cleaned immediately afterwards, or discarded. It cannot be used again without proper cleaning, as mold will continue to grow on it.

3. Choose the best cleaning method. You need to consider what type of fabric or material you're dealing so that you know which cleaning method is needed.

How to Clean Mold From Clothes

Wash clothing immediately in hot, soapy water. Rinse the material well and allow it to air dry (don't use the clothes dryer, as the heat from the dryer will make mold stains more difficult to get rid of). Remaining stains can be scrubbed with a paste mixture of lemon juice and salt and then returned to the washing machine. Anything that can't be washed at home or by hand should be taken to the dry cleaners. Make a point of showing the stains to the cleaner to ensure that the entire surface returns to you clean and free of mold.

How to Clean Mold Stains From Carpet

If you have a mold stain on your carpet, don't try to use a liquid to clean it. Instead, vacuum up the mold. Because mold will live inside of your vacuum, it is imperative that you throw out the vacuum bag after vacuuming a moldy area. No exceptions. You may wish to follow the vacuuming with a carpet cleaner. Again, be sure to read the label and dry the area thoroughly after applying anything wet.

How to Clean Mold in Bathrooms and Kitchens

You'll need a stiff-bristled brush when cleaning mold in these rooms. A toothbrush will work well on grout, but a bigger brush is recommended for larger surfaces. Using a mixture of 1 cup bleach and 1 gallon of water, scrub the moldy area until the stains lift. Rinse well with clean, hot water. Remember to clean your brush afterwards.

How to Clean Mold From Rugs and Upholstery

Rugs and upholstery. Treat this stain with a carpet or upholstery shampoo. You can find this in an aerosol bottle at your local hardware store or vacuum shop. Gently scrub just the affected areas and try to remove as much of the cleaner as possible afterwards by blotting with a clean, hot cloth. Dry the affected area by applying pressure to a clean cloth on top of the moisture, and continue until no moisture remains. You will still need to ventilate the area or run a fan to ensure that the spot is dry and no mold will return. (You may wish to treat the affected area with a fungicide spray after cleaning. Just be aware of any health effects on you and your pets, and read the label carefully).

Cleaning mold properly and quickly reduces its spread and ensures a healthier family and home. Make sure that you thoroughly dry any area that you’ve cleaned, as this will help to reduce the reappearance of mold.

One final point -- if you've identified mold as black mold, do not touch it or attempt to remove it. Black mold is a hazardous material that requires special removal tools. People have died from it. Simply let your client know of the problem.

If you feel that you're having breathing problems after encountering mold, see your doctor immediately.

-->

Return Home from How to Clean Mold.