How to Extract Mold From the Interior of a Home

Mold grows in various colors including black, blue, green and white.

Found in many homes, mold is a fungus that can ruin the object it grows on and cause heath complications including respiratory problems. Mold spreads quickly via spores it releases in the air. Even if the mold in your home is not the toxic strain, removing it will help reduce the chance of costly repair bills caused by the mold's destruction. The method of extracting mold from the interior of a home depends on where the mold is growing.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid laundry detergent
• White vinegar
• Dust mop
• Rubber gloves
• Trisodium phosphate
• Bucket
• Spoon
• Sponge
• Chlorine bleach
• Rag
• Spray bottle

Instructions

Washable Objects

1. Turn the washing machine laundry setting to a normal wash with hot water. Use the hottest water allowed for the specific type of fabric you are washing.

2. Pour 1/4 cup of liquid laundry detergent and 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar in the water-filled washing drum.

3. Place the washable objects in the water, and close the lid. Let the machine run through a complete cycle. Remove the items, and either tumble dry in a dryer or hang them to air dry.

Ceilings and Walls

1. Run a dust mop over the ceilings and walls, to remove cobwebs and dust from the surface. Put on rubber gloves. Mix 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate with 4 cups of warm water.

2. Stir with a spoon until the trisodium phosphate dissolves. Submerge a sponge in the mixture, and wipe the surface mold off the ceilings and walls.

3. Pour chlorine bleach into a small container. Dip a rag in the bleach, and wipe the ceilings and walls. Let the bleach air dry, then rinse it off with a cloth dampened in cool water.

Bathtubs, Countertops, Tiles and Other Hard Surfaces

1. Pour white vinegar carefully into a clean spray bottle. Saturate the mold thoroughly, and wait 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Hold a cloth under warm, running water until saturated, and wring out the excess water. Wipe the vinegar-covered mold off the hard surface with the damp sponge.

3. Mist the surface affected by the mold once again, and let the vinegar air dry. The vinegar has a pungent odor, which will dissipate as it dries while removing musty, mold smells.

Tips & Warnings

• Never mix bleach with ammonia or any products containing ammonia. The resulting fumes are toxic.

References

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Mold Resources
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Basic Facts
• University of Missouri Extension; How to Prevent and Remove Mildew--Home Methods; Wanda Eubank, et. al; April 1998
• This Old House; Bathroom Ceiling Mildew; Steve Thomas
• CBS News; Heloise Hears A Hint; Richard Schlesinger; February 2009