Even if you keep a pretty clean house, mold can still crop up unexpectedly just about anywhere.
Cleaning up some mold problems on your own can be a quick and inexpensive solution, if you don’t mind the unpleasant nature of the task. If you prefer to have a professional help you out, there are many services like PuroClean, that offer mold mitigation in new Jersey, that can do the work for you.
But if you’re tackling that mold or mildew yourself, here are some tips:
Protect Yourself
You can get seriously ill if you expose yourself to mold too closely. Even small amounts should be treated carefully. Wear good rubber gloves and a face mask while cleaning and handling moldy materials for disposal.
Cleaning Mold
There are really 2 approaches to removing mold in your home safely, and they depend on what kind of surface you’re dealing with.
Mold on a hard smooth surface, like metal, plastic or ceramic tile, is the easiest and safest to clean up on your own. For these surfaces, you need a dilute solution of bleach (roughly 1 part bleach to 10 parts water) and a cloth or sponge. Give the effected area a good wiping to remove any signs of the mold. You don’t need to rinse. In fact, a little bleach residue will help ensure any remaining spores are killed off.
Some people like to try less “toxic” approach and use natural substances like vinegar as a cleanser. The acid content in vinegar does make it reasonable for this and would be a fine option for smaller patches. But if you really want to take care of the mold, use the bleach.
Now that’s how to handle mold on hard surfaces. On the other hand, if you have mold accumulating in a more more porous material, such as fabric, wood or drywall, then you have a whole different scenario. Liquid solutions don’t penetrate these surfaces enough to kill the hidden spores, even if it looks like the outside surface is clean. Your safest approach here is to remove the surfaces completely, which can mean cutting out pieces of drywall. It may seem drastic but it is the only way to be sure.
Once removed, place infected materials directly into a plastic bag, and tie it up tightly. Spores can spread to other parts of your house if you carry the debris around.
When mold starts to grow on integral parts of your home’s structure, such as the wooden beams inside the walls, then you will want to get a professional to take a look.
Mold Prevention
Once you’ve dealt with your mold removal, you should take any necessary steps to keep it from happening again. If you have places in your home that are ideal for mold growth, the problem is going to return.
Mold requires a damp environment, so check for any leaks or drips that might be creating moist areas. Fix leaks, replace washers or even add a small dehumidifier appliance to damp rooms if necessary.
