No matter where you live, mold and mildew often cause problems. Sometimes you can see it but sometimes you can't. Sometimes it is black but can be white. While you can buy products to combat mold, there are common household products that you may have in your home that can be used to treat this problem, and may even be more effective.
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Method 1 of 3: Attacking the Mushroom Trigger
Step 1. Know that mold is basically caused by moisture
Mold is a moisture problem. If you clean the mold but don't fix the moisture problem, you'll only be inviting the mold to reappear at a later date. Clean and dry waterlogged or water-damaged areas within 24 hours to prevent mold growth.
Mold often appears in the bathroom (because of the shower) and kitchen (because of the sink). Be sure to drain excess water in the sink and open the window in the bathroom after showering
Step 2. Call a professional if the mold growth exceeds 10 square meters
If you are dealing with a very severe fungus – more than 10 square meters in area-. The best course of action is to call a professional for mold removal and cleaning. Professionals will use cleaning agents that are highly effective and have proper protection against spore inhalation.
Step 3. Consider removing absorbent or porous materials
Absorbent or porous materials, such as drywall or tiled ceilings, may need to be removed if the mold damage is severe. Because mold can fill the tiny crevices and pores of the material, it can be difficult to completely remove the fungus. Under these conditions, cleaning it will only temporarily inhibit mold growth; unless you remove all affected surfaces from your home completely, the mold will keep reappearing.
Step 4. Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces
This is a treatment like using a band-aid, and is not effective. Surfaces such as walls or tiles that have been painted or plastered do not absorb paint or putty very well; the paint or caulk will only peel off because it is not on a clean surface to adhere properly.
Make sure you clean and sterilize the moldy area completely before painting or caulking. Wipe off excess moisture and wait a day or two before painting or caulking, just to make sure it's completely clean
Step 5. Use adequate equipment when cleaning
Since mold contains spores, which are spread through the air, it is very important to wear proper protection when cleaning moldy surfaces. In most cases, mushrooms are harmless, but there are different types of mold, some of which can pose a health hazard in intense cases. Make sure you wear:
- An N-95 respirator. These are available at heavy equipment stores and are relatively inexpensive.
- Goggles, to protect your eyes from spore interactions.
- Gloves.
Method 2 of 3: Using Various Cleaning Liquids
Step 1. Try using a mixture of bleach and warm water
Mix one cup of bleach for every 3.8 liters of warm water. Take a cleaning brush, dip it in the bleach solution, and remove any mold or mildew stains. Be sure to dry the surface, as moisture promotes the growth of mold and mildew.
- For more difficult-to-reach areas, pour the bleach into a small spray bottle first. Spray bleach directly on mold and mildew. Then scrub with a brush as usual.
- This liquid is very good for cleaning mold and mildew in bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms in the house that use ceramic or non-porous surfaces.
- Bleach is very effective at killing mold and mildew spores. The active ingredient in bleach, sodium hypochlorite, is also a key ingredient in many mildew products.
Step 2. Using vinegar. Pour pure white vinegar or apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle
Spray the moldy surface with vinegar and clean the area thoroughly with a brush. Dry the cleaned area completely.
- Only use the vinegar solution on non-porous surfaces like ceramic – don't use it on wood.
- Unlike bleach, vinegar is non-toxic and does not emit intoxicating fumes. Vinegar is a mild acid that is said to be about 80% effective at destroying mold, mildew and particulate matter all at once.
Step 3. Use borax liquid to kill and inhibit mold growth
Mix about one cup of borax for every 3.8 liters of warm water. Dip the brush in the borax solution and brush any mushrooms present fairly vigorously. Wipe off any remaining borax and wipe again with a clean cloth.
- Use borax only on non-porous surfaces. Bathroom and kitchen tiles absorb borax more than wooden surfaces.
- Although borax is toxic if ingested, it is a natural cleaning product that does not emit fumes and contains no chemical additives. This ingredient is effective for killing mold while preventing mold from growing back.
Step 4. Use ammonia
First, make sure the product you're using lists "clear ammonia." Next, mix one part ammonia with one part water and pour it into a small spray bottle. Attack moldy and mildewed surfaces with an ammonia solution, scrubbing thoroughly. Wipe off any remaining ammonia with a clean towel afterwards.
- Make sure you never mix ammonia and bleach. Ammonia and bleach, when mixed, produce a toxic chemical called chlorine gas. This liquid is very dangerous if it enters the body, even through the smoke.
- For heavy mold and mildew, spray the surface with ammonia and let it sit for a few hours before scrubbing and wiping it off.
Step 5. Try using baking soda, either in the form of a paste or a powder
Baking soda is mild - meaning it's safe for your whole family and pets - and effective. This ingredient is known for being a gentle household cleaner while helping to remove odors (no wonder it's also used as a deodorant). This material can be used in two ways:
- Mix with water and vinegar. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with 0.2 liters of water and mix well. Pour into a spray bottle and spray moldy surfaces, such as bathroom tile floors. Take another spray bottle and fill it with vinegar, then spray it over the same surface. (This will cause a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide.) Vinegar is often used with baking soda because it kills many species of mold.
- Apply baking soda directly to the moldy surface. This material works especially well on porous surfaces such as wooden furniture or drywall. Allow the sodium bicarbonate to soak into the damp surface then clean it completely.
Step 6. Utilize hydrogen peroxide
Find a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and pour it directly into a spray bottle. Spray moldy surfaces with hydrogen peroxide and wait for at least 10 minutes, then scrub clean. Clean and dry any damp areas to prevent mold from reappearing.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a good alternative to bleach and other strong cleaning solutions that emit heavy and toxic fumes. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective at removing stains caused by fungal infestations.
- Hydrogen peroxide can be used on a variety of surfaces. It is safe to use on clothing, floors, fixtures, walls, and even cookware. But you should make sure to try it before using it to attack the stain, as peroxide can bleach clothes and other surfaces.
Method 3 of 3: Cleaning Surfaces and Other Materials
Step 1. Remove mold and mildew on clothes
Use a brush to clean the mushrooms as best you can. Make sure you do this outdoors so you don't spread the fungus to other parts of your home. Next, wash the clothes. (If you prefer, you can soak the clothes in bleach or stain remover and then dry them in the sun.)
If your clothes can't be washed, take them to the laundromat and show them the stain. Ask if they can remove any mold or mildew
Step 2. Remove mold or mildew from leather
Use a brush to scrub the mushrooms as clean as possible. Again, be sure to do this outdoors. Dip a cloth in the mixture of one cup of water and one cup of denatured alcohol. Rub the soiled area with a cloth. Let dry completely.
In addition, instead of liquid alcohol, you can use saddle soap
Step 3. Remove mold and mildew on books and paper
Make sure that the stained object is completely dry. Otherwise, place it in a well-ventilated place and let it dry. Take the object outside and use a dry cloth to wipe the mold/moss off as thoroughly as possible. Dip a cloth in the soap solution (you can use regular dish soap). Squeeze dry the cloth. Use the cloth to wipe off any remaining stains. Rinse the soap with water and dry the object.
- If soapy water doesn't work, try using a mixture of bleach or vinegar with water.
- If some pages are stained, make sure to separate them so they don't stick together. It's also a good idea to speed up the drying process of books or paper by using a fan. To make sure the pages don't stick together, sprinkle a little cornstarch on each page while the book/paper dries. Clean the cornstarch after the object is dry.
Tips
- Use vinegar instead of bleach to kill mold as it is much better for the environment and you. You can use vinegar at a higher strength than bleach because it won't cause headaches or be harmful to you, your children, or your pets. Note not to use both at the same time (see warning below).
- If the mold or mildew is particularly stubborn, you can add another 1/2 cup of bleach or vinegar to your mixture.
- You can also spray ceramic and mold with Shout. Allow a few moments until it can be easily wiped with a towel or cloth, then rinse with water.
- For a bathroom that smells of moss, use a stopper or valve to drain the bathroom water ("Mildont" is one of those brands).
- Hawaii has a serious mold problem and most people use Jomax or Bleach to wash houses, driveways, etc
Warning
- Make sure you cover items you don't want to bleach!
- Make sure you do not mix bleach and vinegar! This action will produce harmful gases. Use one or the other, but not both together.
