Everyone hates ugly mold; it’s unsightly and can even be dangerous. The blackish gray “soot” commonly grows due to lingering moisture in drywall, ceiling tiles, carpets, furniture, ductwork, roofing, paneling, wood, and showers. When you notice it in your home, plan out to 1) dry the area, 2) increase airflow and 3) kill the spores.
If your visible mold is limited to surface area less than a square foot, you can try removing mold with some super safe products from your kitchen. However, as you clean the dirty areas, you need to think long term. Is mold a result of an unaddressed water leak? Do you need professional help if the spores come back? Here are some tips from All Clear Services for those small areas. If you have a bigger problem, call for a free estimate.
The key to mold prevention is simple: moisture control. Mold and mildew thrive in warm, wet environments. Preventing mold from growing or spreading might be as simple as ripping up carpet in a damp basement, installing mold-resistant products, or repairing damaged gutters. For chronically damp areas of the home like bathrooms and kitchens, invest in a dehumidifier. Fix any leaky plumbing as soon as possible to prevent mold and mildew from growing in hard-to-reach areas like behind walls and under cabinets.
Air out your home regularly by opening windows and doors. Also, use the ventilation fans in the bathroom or laundry room. Keep shower curtains closed when not in use so they can dry. Furthermore, avoid leaving items like damp rugs, moist towels, or wet clothes laying around as these are the perfect medium for mold and mildew to grow in. Get these items up off the floor and onto racks with opportunity for air to flow around them.
Apply tea tree oil. Found in the “natural foods” section of the grocery store, this essential oil is a powerful natural fungicide. To use this essential oil to kill existing mold and mildew growth, simply add around ten drops of tea tree oil to a glass spray bottle filled with water. With repeated use this all-natural cleaner will kill the fungus and help to prevent future growth. Remember to shake this mixture well before each use as the oils will separate.
Even less expensive and readily available, vinegar breaks up the structure of the mold without harming you or your materials. The secret is the acidic pH of about 2.5. Simply mix with water and spray straight from the bottle, then scrub or apply with cloth.
Or try a hydrogen peroxide mixture with a baking soda rinse. Mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of water on a solid surface for ten minutes or so. Wipe off with more hydrogen peroxide then rinse with baking soda mixture of 1/2 tsp baking soda and a cup of water. Here, the hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen which breaks up the mold by oxidizing the surface. The baking soda is another natural disinfectant.
Be careful, it is strong but it works– household bleach. Bleach is very effective for killing mold and mildew due to chemical reactivity with microbes. It works quickly to destroy many pathogens but needs some caution, such as latex gloves and good ventilation. Tiny splatters will leave white spots on your clothes, as well.
Mold removal is complex, which is why our experts will use advanced and proven mold remediation methods. All Clear offers testing, inspections and effective solutions that will rid your place of harmful levels of mold and fix the issue that is causing the mold in the first place. Something causing excess water where the mold is growing and the team will find it. Our mold removal company pays extreme attention to each home, ensuring dangers are completely removed from your home and that all remediation is complete.
All Clear was founded in 1983 as the region’s premier carpet and flooring cleaning. While we still strive to provide top of the line service for carpet, flooring, and upholstery cleaning, we have expanded our scope to include other services as well. We now provide air duct cleaning, water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, and wind damage restoration. We also provide certified mold inspections and even mold remediation.
We handle projects from start to finish, which helps alleviate the stress of looking for a different contractor for each phase of the restoration project. We continue to maintain IICRC certifications and hold ourselves to the highest industry standard for each and every service we provide.