How to Get Rid of Mold

If you have damage from water or flood, or backup of water in your basement, chances are that you have mold if you didn't clean up the water right away. The area must be heated and lots of air, open the windows to prevent further moisture. Mold is caused from dampness and lack of air. It can be black or lighter in color. It has a musty smell, and you will know if it is mold by the smell. It can come into your windows if they are left wet and cleaned out. Cleaning is the most important way of getting rid of mold. You can also have it in your carpet, or furniture. You need to be a good cleaner inorder not to have mold. Mold are spores and can be damaging to your health. Keeping your house dry is the best way to get rid of mold. Check your bathroom if you smell a stuffy odor. Air is the most important way to get rid of the growth. The kitchen is another place that mold can grow, because of the high usage of water. If your roof leaks, fix it as soon as possible. Hook up a fan to dry the area immediately. If there is water in your basement, get a vacuum cleaner to vacuum up the water, it is not very expensive.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric fan.
• Bottles of bleach.
• Face Mask.
• Rubber gloves.
• Old clothes to work in.
• Broom.
• Pail of Water.
• Detergent to put in water.
• Paint brush if needed.

1. Fill a spray bottle with 1/2 bleach and 1/2 water, and spray the area that is affected with the mold. You may have to wash down the basement walls and floor with a bucket of 1/2 bleach and 1/2 water. Use a broom to spread the mixture over the floor. Be sure and spray the ceiling when you are cleaning and all of the surrounding area. Throw away all damped boxes of other wet articles, because the mold will grow from the moisture. Next turn on a fan to dry the area, and open basement windows, until the area is dry.

2. Wash up the floors with a detergent after the bleach has dried.. The detergent will also help to fight off the mold and spores and kill them. It will also prevent further growth. Be sure and turn on the fan or open up the windows to dry out the area, and get rid of the smell.

3. Be prepared to take a few days for your clean up project. Drying up of the moisture in a damp area doesn't happen right away. Do attempt to paint right away. Painting over the mold or moisture will seal in with the dampness and not get rid of the mold. Use caution not to get the mold on your hands, by wearing gloves, and a face mask. Throw away the clothes you are wearing if you can't wash them to get rid of the mold.

Tips & Warnings

• If you had moisture in your window, wash immediately to prevent mold.
• Spray the areas with the mixture of 1/2 bleach and 1/2 water that have mold.
• If your bathroom smells musty, clean with bleach mixture.
• Wear your gloves to prevent the mold from infecting your hands.
• Keep your hands away from your face and nose while working.
• If you are working in your basement, spray your shoes, don't walk across your other floors, or carpet.
• The mold can cause other symptoms, such headaches, and other breathing problems.
• If you develop nausea or breathing difficulty, see your physician.
• Or, if you develop a skin rash, stop and see your physician.