How to clean black mold

Author: Monica Porter
Date Of Creation: 18 March 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
Anonim
How to Remove Ugly Black Mould from Shower Silicone
Video: How to Remove Ugly Black Mould from Shower Silicone

Content

Black mold appears in damp, dark places and can quickly spread if left unchecked. Fortunately, you can remove black mold with cleaning products, such as borax or bleach, or natural solutions like vinegar or tea tree oil. Wear gloves and goggles when cleaning the mold and throw away any items that are completely contaminated. In severe cases, you may need to call a specialist to evaluate and get rid of black mold.

Solutions at home

Black mold looks dirty, but you can clean it up with things that are available in the house:

  • If borax powderUsing powder to remove mold on the surface of bricks, glass and wood.
  • If Washing liquidYou can scrub laundry detergent to remove mold on non-porous surfaces.
  • If ammoniaYou can spray ammonia to remove mold on glass and tile surfaces.
  • If bleachUse bleach to remove stubborn mold on non-porous surfaces.
  • If hydrogen peroxideUse hydrogen peroxide as a non-toxic cleaning product.
  • If Tea tree oil, spray the essential oil as a natural fungicide.
  • If vinegarand use vinegar as an effective and inexpensive fungicide.
  • If baking sodaYou can clean both porous and non-porous surfaces.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Use a cleaning product


  1. Kill fungi with borax. Borax is a cheap product that you can buy at most supermarkets. Borax is effective on nonporous surfaces such as brick and glass, as well as wood and other non-porous surfaces (as long as it is not damaged by moisture). Start by using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove airborne mold, so that mold spores don't spread throughout the room. The next step is to remove the mold using the steps below:
    • Mix 1 cup of borax powder with 3.8 liters of water.
    • Dip a brush in the solution and scrub off the black mold.
    • Wipe off black mold.
    • Do not flush the mold area with water as the borax will prevent the spores from growing again.

  2. Get rid of mold with a cleaning product. This method is effective on glass, tile and other non-porous surfaces. While it doesn't kill mold, rubbing a mixture of soap and water on non-porous surfaces can help remove mold effectively.
    • Mix 1 cup of cleaning product (eg laundry detergent) with 3.8 liters of water.
    • Use a brush to scrub the mixture over the moldy area.
    • Rinse the treated area after rubbing off the mold.

  3. Kill mold with clear ammonia. Transparent ammonia is an effective tool for killing mold, but it's also a toxic cleaning product that needs limited use. Use ammonia to kill the most stubborn mold on glass and bricks.
    • Mix 2 cups water with 2 cups clear ammonia and pour into a spray bottle.
    • Spray the mixture over the moldy area.
    • Let stand for at least 2 hours.
    • Wipe and rinse the entire area.
  4. Kill mold with bleach. This is an effective method for killing mold on non-porous surfaces like bricks and glass, as long as you don't mind the surface being damaged. Since bleach produces toxic gases, make sure the area is well ventilated. Open windows and put on gloves to protect hands. Making:
    • Mix 1 cup of bleach with 3.8 liters of water.
    • Use a spray or bucket of water and sponge to rub the bleach mixture over the black mold affected area.
    • Leave the bleach on the mold for about 1 hour. You can clean it if you want, but this is not necessary.
    advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Use natural methods

  1. Kill mold with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is effective on all types of surfaces and is completely non-toxic. Buy a large bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide from a pharmacy and follow these steps:
    • Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle.
    • Spray on the moldy area.
    • Let stand for at least 20 minutes.
    • Wipe the surface clean.
  2. Kill mold with tea tree oil. You can spray tea tree oil on any surface. Tea tree oil is completely natural, non-toxic and effectively kills black mold as a natural fungicide.
    • Mix 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water.
    • Fill the spray bottle with solution.
    • Wet the moldy area.
    • There is no need to wipe it off as leaving the tea tree oil in place will help prevent mold spores from growing.
  3. Kill mold with grapefruit seed extract. This is another completely natural and odorless method to help kill mold.
    • Mix 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract with 2 cups of water.
    • Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
    • Wet the moldy area.
    • Keep the mixture on the moldy area to prevent mold spores from growing.
  4. Kill mold with white vinegar. Concentrated white vinegar can be used to treat serious mold spots, while white vinegar diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio can be used for less mildewy areas. Vinegar is a fungicide suitable for all types of surfaces, including carpeted floors and laminate flooring.
    • Pour vinegar or vinegar mixture into a spray bottle.
    • Wet the moldy area.
    • Let the vinegar dry on the surface to kill the mold.
  5. Use baking soda to kill mold. This is another natural and effective solution for all types of surfaces, both porous and non-porous.
    • Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 2 cups of water.
    • Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
    • Spray the moldy area and scrub it with a brush.
    • Flush water all over the area just processed.
    • Treat it again with the baking soda mixture to prevent the mold from coming back.
    advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Eliminate large mold patches

  1. Look for mold in hidden areas. Sometimes mold can appear behind dry walls, inside door frames, or under sinks. Some signs of hidden mold include a strong smell, a deformed wooden surface or a discolored ceiling.
  2. Replace the items with the mold. In some cases, the cleaning doesn't get rid of the mold and you need to replace the contaminated items. Evaluate the extent of damage and determine whether the following items of mold spore-contaminated items should be partially or fully replaced:
    • Bathroom tiles
    • Floors are carpeted and other types of floors
    • Wood floor
    • ceiling
  3. Seal up the room with mold. This helps prevent black mold spores from spreading through the air and from entering other areas of the room. Seal doors and use plastic sheets and tape to cover vents, entrances and any areas where air can escape.
    • Another way is to place the exhaust fan out the window so that the black mold spores that are floating in the room are pushed out.
  4. Protect yourself from mold. Wear a dust mask, clothing or an object that can be easily removed and washed or even thrown away. Wear rubber gloves and goggles to protect your eyes and prevent mold from coming into contact with your body.
  5. Keep dirt and debris in a small area. When disposing of anything contaminated with mold, put it in a plastic bag as soon as possible. This will help prevent the mold spores from spreading through the air.
  6. Call your mold exterminator if the black mold has spread. Experts recommend that black mold be professionally removed if they spread over an area larger than 1 square meter. Once black mold has spread to this point, you cannot prevent them with home products.
  7. Eliminate the water sources that feed the mold to prevent them from returning. Fix leaky pipes, increase ventilation in a wet bathroom, or install a dehumidifier in a wet basement. Keep rooms with moldy dryness to prevent mold from forming. advertisement

Advice

  • Black mold is no more toxic than other indoor molds. All molds carry the risk of respiratory problems, especially for people prone to allergies. All mold should be removed immediately to prevent this risk.

Warning

  • Keep your pets away from tea tree oil, as it is toxic to dogs and cats.
  • When disposing of carpets, tiles, wood and other materials contaminated with mold, make sure to put them in a thick garbage bag. Put in two garbage bags, the better. Do not carry trash bags around the house. Instead, throw them out the door so that black mold spores don't have a chance to spread to other areas of your home.
  • Some household items with porous surfaces, such as carpets and window decorations, cannot be cleaned. You need to replace it to prevent the mold spores from spreading later.