How to Get Rid of Mold on Floors

Mold is fungus that reproduces by spreading tiny spores. When the spores land on a moist surface, they grow into more mold, which then reproduces and releases more spores. Mold can grow on a variety of flooring surfaces, including wood, carpet and even cement. While it's relatively simple to wipe mold away, you must locate and fix the source of the moisture if you ever want to be rid of the mold forever.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray bottle
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Mop

1. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar.

2. Sprinkle baking soda on any patches of mold, then spray with the white vinegar. Let it foam. Scrub with a brush and mop up or wipe dry.

3. Mop your floor regularly with a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide to one part warm water, or one part white vinegar to one part warm water. Make sure you mop the entire floor to prevent mold from developing and not just the areas where mold once grew.

4. Determine the source or cause of the mold, if at all possible, to help prevent a recurrence. This usually traces back to moisture of some sort; perhaps leaking from a wall or other source and then puddling on the floor. If you can't locate the source, your home may be too humid, and you may need a dehumidifier.

Tips & Warnings

• If your moldy floor is carpeted, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over it, let sit for several hours and then vacuum up.
• You can also use dish detergent to wash mold away from hard flooring. Mix the detergent and enough water to make it manageable in a bowl or other container, then dip a sturdy nylon bristle scrub brush in the mixture and scrub any moldy spots on the floor.
• Applying a deep-penetrating concrete sealer to a concrete floor may help reduce mold growth.

References

• EPA Mold Guide
• Get Rid of Things
• Household Mold Guide