The Comfort of Clean

The Simple Dos And Don'ts Of Mold Removal

4 December 2020

Irma Stewart

At some point in their lives, most people deal with mold in their homes. For some, it's just a little bit of mold behind a bathtub. For others, it's a big, moldy basement after a flooding incident. When a large part of your home is moldy, it is usually best to call a mold remediation professional. But if you're handling a smaller patch of mold on your own, there are a few simple dos and don'ts that you should adhere to.

Do: Put on protective attire.

Mold can be more dangerous than you think, even if you're just dealing with a small patch of it. The spores can make you itchy or cause you to sneeze. To keep yourself safe, always wear long pants and long sleeves when you embark on a mold-removal mission. Wear goggles and a face mask to keep mold spores out of your eyes, nose, and mouth, too. Put on some gloves before you start scrubbing.

Don't: Mix bleach and ammonia.

Bleach is a really good choice for cleaning up mold. It not only kills the mold but also the spores. It also penetrates porous surfaces well. Ammonia can also clean up mold in a pinch. However, you never, ever want to use both substances anywhere near each other. They react to form a toxic gas that will do even more harm than the mold itself.

Do: Air the space out.

The secret to keeping mold away once you've cleaned it up is to dry the space out. Without moisture, the mold won't grow back. Do whatever you need to do to air the space out. If there is a window, open it. If you have a big fan, plug it in. If you have a dehumidifier, move it into the room where you found the mold, and let it run for a few days.

Don't: Paint over the area too soon.

Once the area has been cleaned up, you may want to repaint a wall or a ceiling. But you need to be careful not to do this too soon. Painting too soon will seal moisture in the material and cause the mold to come back. On average, you should plan on giving the space at least a week to dry. Two weeks are even better.

Big mold removal projects are best left to the pros, but if you do decide to tackle mold removal on your own, then adhering to the advice above will get you off to a good start.

If you have more questions, reach out to a local mold removal service.

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