How to Clean Small Areas of Black Mold in a Basement
Black mold is a microscopic organism that appears in damp areas in your home, including the basement. Black mold needs a food source, such as insulation, wood, paper and other items that may be present in your home. The key to removing black mold from your basement is to clean it off surfaces and remove its food source. Cleaning black mold from a small area in your basement is not difficult---all you need is a soap solution, a disinfectant solution and some rags. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Nose mask
- Trash bags
- Stiff brush
- Dishwashing soap
- Two bowls or containers
- Scrub brush
- Chlorine bleach
- Bowl or container
- Sponge
- Rag or towel
Instructions
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1
Open any windows and doors leading into and out of the basement. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and a nose mask to protect yourself from breathing in and touching the black mold.
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2
Place a trash bag under the small area where the black mold is present.
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3
Scrub off as much loose black mold as possible from the area with a stiff brush. Let the black mold fall onto the trash bag.
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4
Roll up the trash bag containing the black mold, and dispose of it inside another trash bag. Immediately take the trash bag outside to a waste container.
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5
Mix 2 tbsp. dishwashing soap and 6 tbsp. warm water in a bowl or container.
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Apply the diluted soap mixture to the small area of black mold with a scrub brush, and scrub vigorously to remove any remaining traces of mold.
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Mix 2 tbsp. chlorine bleach and 5 tbsp. warm water in a bowl or container.
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Saturate a sponge with the bleach solution, then wring it out.
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Wipe the small area where the black mold was present with the bleach-soaked sponge.
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Pat the area dry with a clean rag or towel. If you have a box fan, aim it at the damp area.
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Tips & Warnings
Work on one small area of black mold at a time.
Seal any cracks, water leaks and other areas where water is coming into the basement. Once these areas are sealed, you shouldn't have a black mold problem again.
Do not touch the black mold with your bare hands.
