How to Get Rid of Sooty Mold

Messy, smeary black soot sticks to everything and smudges instead of wiping clean. When you add mold to the equation you have a challenging cleaning situation. The key is to clean using an item that will break down and lift away the soot while killing the mold spores, and to use disposable cloths and towels.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Powdered laundry detergent with a bleach alternative, such as Tide, or Ajax
• White vinegar
• Hot water
• Spray bottle and bucket
• Several old towels
• Scrub brush
• Blow dryer

1. Mix 1 cup of powdered laundry detergent with 1 gallon of hot water, and 2 cups of white vinegar in a bucket.

2. Remove the sprayer from the spray bottle and lower the bottle into the bucket of cleanser until it is full. Replace the top.

3. Spread old towels around the area where you are cleaning, Especially if cleaning on a wall, the cleanser and sooty mold will run down to the floor. Having something on hand to soak up the mess is a timesaving cleanup step.

4. Spray the cleanser directly onto the sooty mold. Don't be stingy, spray it liberally so that it gets soaked. Allow it to sit for about 20 minutes. Then spray again.

5. Use the scrub brush to scrub away all traces of mold and soot, while spraying often with the cleanser. Besides just cleaning away the evidence, the vinegar in the mixture will kill the mold spores.

6. Dip an old towel or cloth into the bucket of cleanser and wring it out, then use the towel to wipe the area where the sooty mold was thoroughly. This should remove any traces of the mold or soot completely.

7. Ensure that mold spores are dead and won't be back by using a blow dryer on high heat for 15 minutes This will get rid of moisture and surviving spores. Mold likes damp and warm conditions, but dry, hot heat kills it.

Tips & Warnings

• Mold spores become airborne when they are disturbed so wear a face mask to keep from breathing them in. Mold spores can cause allergies and other health problems.