How to Remove Mold and Mildew From Bedrooms

You don't want to breathe this as you sleep.

Mold and mildew are not only ugly, they can be a health hazard. When breathed in, the spores can cause chronic cough, nasal decongestant and sinus headaches. Severe sufferers can have difficulty breathing, resulting in a life threatening condition. Mold in the bedroom is especially hazardous because you spend your sleeping hours exposed to it. It is important to remove mold and mildew immediately.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Measuring cup
• Bleach
• Powder laundry detergent
• Hot water
• Rubber gloves
• Mask
• Scrub sponge
• Vacuum
• Dehumidifier (optional)
• Paint (optional)

Instructions

Cleaning Walls

1. Create a mixture of 1/2 cup bleach, 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent and one gallon of hot water. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture.

2. Put on rubber gloves and a dust mask. Mold and mildew release spores, which you don't want to breathe in, when disturbed. Open windows to ventilate the room to reduce your exposure to bleach fumes.

3. Spray the mold with the solution, working from the top of the wall down.

4. Gently scrub the mold off with a plastic scrub sponge. If the mold is on the ceiling, skip the spray bottle and scrub with mixture directly out of a bucket.

5. Rinse the area with clean water and let it dry.

Cleaning Furniture

1. Vacuum furniture to remove any loose mold spores.

2. Mix 1/3 cup powdered detergent into a gallon of hot water. Do not use bleach in this mixture as it may strip color out of upholstery and finishes.

3. Scrub the affected areas of the furniture with the soapy water using a scrub brush.

4. Rinse the furniture with clean water and allow it to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Commercial mold and mildew cleaning solutions are available for purchase if you don't want to make your own.

• Consider installing a dehumidifier in the room to keep mold from returning. The humidity level of the room should be 50 percent or lower to discourage mold and mildew.

• You can also paint the room with paint containing an anti-mold agent if this is a regular problem.

• Be careful not to let the cleaning solution (which contains bleach) drip onto carpeting or fabric.

References

• Allergy Consumer Review: House Mold Removal
• "How to Fix Just About Everything;" Bill Marken; 2002
• The Allergy Relief Center: Mold Allergies