How to Clean Mold on Cement Foundation Walls With Borax

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Things You'll Need

  • 1/2 cup borax

  • 1 gallon water

  • Sponge

  • Gloves

Borax is a boric acid powder that acts as an effective, inexpensive and environmentally safe cleaning product. It is useful for cleaning mold off cement foundation walls--a location which is prime for mold growth, particularly when you have a dark, damp basement--because borax acts as both a disinfectant and a mold inhibitor, making it less likely that the mold will regrow.

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Step 1

Boil 1 gallon of water on the stove. Dissolve 1/2 cup of borax into the boiling water. Fill a spray bottle with the borax mixture. Pour the rest of the borax mixture in a bucket.

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Step 2

Use the spray bottle to wet the mold on the cement foundation walls. Lightly mist all areas surrounding the mold. This will prevent mold spores from polluting the air when you disturb the mold to clean it. Wait five minutes after you spray to continue.

Step 3

Dip a scrubbing sponge into the bucket containing the borax mixture, then squeeze it lightly to wring it out. Scrub the mold on the walls. Repeat this procedure until the walls appear clean. Avoid soaking the walls, as this will lead to the re-growth of mildew.

Step 4

Leave the borax solution on the walls after you are done cleaning. Turn on any available heating fixture, such as a portable space heater, to help the area dry. Open any windows or doors to allow air flow.

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Step 5

Sweep up any dried borax on the floor the next day. Allow any dried borax powder on the walls to remain, as this will prevent the re-growth of mold.

Warning

Although borax is a relatively safe product for household cleaning, wear gloves when cleaning the mold as borax is a skin irritant. Avoid consuming large quantities of borax.

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