How to Eliminate Mold From Homes
Mold is a kind of fungi that tends to thrive in musty and damp parts of a house, such as attics and basements. Mold forms on a variety of materials, including wood, dry wall, carpeting and paper. It is important to eliminate mold because it can damage your house, and become a health hazard. The strategies to eliminate mold depend on what kind of material the mold has attacked. If left unchecked, the mold will spread and become even more difficult to remove. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Dehumidifiers
- Fans
- Ceiling fan
- Vacuum
- Garbage bags
- Cleaning solution
- Dish washing detergent
- Disinfectant
Instructions
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Guidelines
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Identify the reason the mold is forming, and eliminate the cause of the moisture. Check for things such as a leaking pipe or roof, or an area with excessive humidity.
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Remove any visible water immediately. Use dehumidifiers or fans to help dry the area.
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3
Consider ways to better ventilate an area where mold has formed. Options include ceiling fans, or opening windows during dry weather. If possible, expose area to sunlight.
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Keep moldy areas as clean as possible. Vacuum repeatedly if mold has formed on a carpet or rug. If mold has formed in more than one area of the house, clean each area one room at a time.
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Block off the room you are cleaning from the rest of the house. Mold produces spores that remain suspended in the air for long periods. The spores easily spread to other parts of the house.
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Hire an expert to inspect your house, if the problem is really serious. It's possible some items such as a carpet or drywall may have to be replaced. Carefully remove these materials from the home. Place materials in heavy-duty garbage bags. Place bags outside through the nearest door or window.
Specifics
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Clean mold-infested textiles with a bleach and water solution before hanging them outside to dry in the sun. Remove moldy paper products such as newspapers of magazines from the house.
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Thoroughly scrub an area (or item) that has mold on it with a water and beach solution, or a commercial mold-removing product. An example of this type of area is a wall made out of wood or concrete. Use a disinfectant to remove any left over mold. Allow the area to completely dry.
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For a carpet or rug, scrub the area with a bleach and water cleaning solution. The solution can also include a little dish washing detergent. Dry the area completely with a cloth and fan.
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Tips & Warnings
Eliminate the mold from the house as quickly as possible. Place a fan next to an open window when cleaning and eliminating mold. This helps blow the mold spores outside. Before cleaning an entire area or item with a solution, test a small part of its surface to see how it affects the material.
Wear protective equipment such as rubber gloves or a mask when cleaning mold. Never paint over mold. Mold will continue to grow under the paint.
