How to Kill Mold In a Home
Mold in a home is not only unsightly, it can present a serious health risk to your family. Any mold has the potential to develop into toxic mold. The toxicity level of a given mold is determined by whether the fungus contains mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can cause symptoms ranging from minor irritation to the development of cancer. They are particularly dangerous to individuals suffering from asthma or who have reduced respiratory abilities. If you discover mold growing in any area of your home, kill and remove the mold immediately to preserve your family's health. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Inspect the extent of the mold infestation. You cannot properly kill the mold in your home until you know where all the mold is. Thoroughly inspect basements, attics, bathrooms and closets for signs of mold.
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Evaluate the cause of the mold. Mold is caused by humidity and moisture; therefore, it's very common in bathrooms. If you find mold in uncommon areas, however, such as on the living room carpet or beneath the wallpaper, there is obviously a moisture problem within your home.
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Cut off the supply of moisture to the mold. Once you've discovered the mold's moisture source, getting rid of it may be as easy as simply tightening a pipe or wiping down the shower or tub whenever you finish bathing. Sometimes, however, you may need to call in a plumber to help you find the root of moisture issues within walls and ceilings.
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Disinfect the mold. You cannot kill all the mold spores, but you can kill the majority. You may disinfect the mold using bleach or any other household disinfectant.
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Remove all traces of the dead mold. Cleaning up mold from solid surfaces is as simple as wiping those surfaces down with a washcloth. But if mold spores are growing on carpet or drywall, you may need to replace sections of these materials to prevent living mold spores from repopulating the areas.
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Get rid of any airborne mold spores. While cleaning, mold spores may become airborne and travel to other areas of your home. Use an air purifier to trap roaming mold spores and prevent the spores from spreading.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep a fan in the bathroom, and run it whenever someone takes a bath or shower to help dry the wet surfaces and prevent mold growth.
Seek medical attention immediately if you believe you or your family are suffering from the effects of toxic mold exposure.
