How to Clean up Mold From Flood Water Damage

Cleaning up the mold is easier the faster you do it.

Water damage from a flood that has affected your home can be very difficult to deal with. As you start the cleaning process and decide which items you can salvage and what needs to be thrown away, you might notice a mold problem from the excessive moisture that has been inside the house since the flood. This mold is more than just a nuisance. It can spread throughout your home and cause significant damage, as well as make your family sick, which is why you need to clean it up as soon as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Face mask
• Fans
• Dehumidifiers
• Non-phosphate detergent
• Scrub brush
• Bucket
• Bleach
• Cloths
• Towels

Instructions

1. Put on gloves and a face mask, as well as thick clothing, when cleaning mold after flood damage.

2. Dry up as much of the standing water as you can. Fans, dehumidifiers and central heating or air conditioners can help. Also use a wet/dry shop vacuum to remove excess water.

3. Spray down all areas affected by mold with a non-phosphate detergent cleaner.

4. Use a scrub brush to thoroughly scrub the area and remove the mold spores. Wipe down the areas with a damp cloth to rinse when you're done scrubbing. This will remove the mold, but it's not preventative.

5. Mix 1 gallon of water per cup of bleach in a large bucket. This solution will disinfect the area and prevent mold from coming back.

6. Dip a cloth into the solution and wipe down all the flood damaged and moldy areas. Wipe down areas that didn't have mold as well to prevent it from forming. Let the bleach solution sit for about 10 minutes.

7. Rinse the area with a damp cloth. Dry immediately with large towels, and continue using the drying methods from step two.

Tips & Warnings

• Saturated furniture, carpeting, carpet pads, wallboard and paper items should be thrown away after a flood, rather than cleaned, especially if mold is already forming.

• Bleach should never be mixed with ammonia or acids like vinegar.

References

• Texas A&M University; Mold After a Flood; Janie Harris;