Small Jobs



If you have a little black mold growing somewhere, like the tiles or your bathroom or kitchen cabinets, removal is not such a headache.

Use a solution of bleach and water and scrub. Use only a little bleach, and don't mix it with anything but water. Bleach is dangerous; it can damage things easily and irritate your eyes and nose. Use it with caution.

A regular hand scrub works best. Get in there and scrub until you see that mold disappear.

You can also disinfect hard surfaces that have been affected by mold by covering with your bleach solution and letting it sit for a while. If you do this, it will help keep the mold from coming back. Make sure to open windows and make sure there's plenty of ventilation. The fumes are dangerous.

If you have books or other things that are infected with mold, there's not much you can do. Before throwing them away, seal them up well with plastic. Make sure the mold doesn't get out and have a chance to get into something else. For more info see http://www.toxicblackmoldhelp.org/species/black_Mold_Species.html

Big Jobs

For a big mold removal job, for example when you have large areas of water damage in your house, stronger precautions must be taken.

You will need to remove the moldy material from the house. In this case, lay out plastic all around the effected area as if you were going to paint. You don't want those mold spores getting all over the place. Wear old clothes, a face mask and good gloves.

If you're removing material such as wall material or other porous stuff, spray it first with water from a little spray bottle. If it's dry when you remove it, it's more likely to kick up spores and dust particles.

When you remove the mold infested material, put it into heavy plastic bags. It's always a good idea to double bag. Take the bags out of the house through the nearest door or window. You don't want to drag the plastic bags all over the house and risk contaminating other areas. When you're finished, take the bags straight to the landfill.

During your cleanup, make sure everybody is out of the house. There may be mold spores in the air. As you work, take short breaks every so often. You may not feel it, but you will be exposing yourself to mold for an extended period of time.

Even Bigger Jobs

If it's a serious construction project, have a professional do it. Also, if you suffer from severe mold allergies or asthma, it's better to let somebody else do the work. It's just not worth it to endanger your health.

We're Not Done Yet

We're almost finished, but there's one more thing you have to consider. You have to locate the source of the mold growth and prevent it from growing there again. Look for leaking pipes or other sources of unwanted water.

Keep the room dry and well ventilated, and check periodically in the effected areas to see if it has come back for its revenge.