As soon as you find mold on your property, it can be really frustrating to remove it. Because it will require specific chemicals and proper clothes to clean it safely and effectively, getting rid of this fungus will not be easy. As long as the damage is minor and the mold hasn’t spread far, you may be able to remove it yourself with some of these home remedies.
The following chemicals can be used to get rid of mold with home remedies:
Bleach- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Borax
Beware of the Dangers of Mold
Before you begin, you must know that mold is extremely dangerous to your health, especially when starting the cleaning process. The spores it releases when disturbed can cause extreme coughing, breathing problems, watery eyes, inflammation of the throat, and other allergic reactions. Always wear protective equipment, such as gloves, eyewear, and a breathing mask to prevent these negative health effects.
If the area has spread larger than 10 feet, do not hesitate to call a mold removal professional. They will use commercial equipment and products to ensure the fungus is removed at its source and will not return in the future.
Get Rid of Mold with Bleach
This home remedy is one of the most popular for killing mold; however, it should only be used on non-porous materials, such as tile, grout, bathtubs, glass, etc. Because bleach will not be able to penetrate porous materials, such as drywall, wood, and particleboard, it will be useless in the cleaning process.
But bleach is effective in removing stains out of caulk, tile grout, and other non-porous surfaces. Just be sure to proceed with caution when using this cleaner.
Follow these steps on how to kill mold with bleach:
- Add one cup of bleach to a gallon of water.
- Pour the solution onto all affected non-porous material.
- Allow the solution to sit for at least 15 minutes. Unless the affected surface is consistently touched by small children or pets, you don’t have to rinse it. This will prevent the fungus from returning in the future.
Get Rid of Mold with Vinegar
While vinegar is not as powerful as bleach, it is not toxic and considered more eco-friendly than other remedies. This cleaner can also work with porous materials, such as particleboard, drywall, and fabrics and can be cheaply bought at any local grocery store.
Follow these steps on how to remove mold with vinegar:
- Pour vinegar into a spray bottle without water.
- Spray the affected surface and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
- Wipe the area clean with a scrub brush or rag. Just be careful not to scrub too hard, or the affected surface may incur permanent damage.
To ensure that the mold will not return in the future, you can repeat this process over the next few days. Be sure to frequently clean the surrounding areas as the previous case of mold might have dispersed its spores throughout the property.
Get Rid of Mold with Baking Soda
Commonly known for cleaning and even baking, baking soda numerous uses. In addition to cleaning the affected area, the mold remover will also deodorize it, getting rid of the musty smell. It is also safe to use around children and pets as it does not contain any harsh chemicals.
If you would like a stronger cleaning solution to get rid of the mold, you can combine the baking soda with vinegar. Remember that different species of mold may require specific chemicals in order to be effectively removed.
Follow these steps to effectively remove mold with baking soda:
- Add ¼ tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle and shake well.
- Spray the solution directly onto the affected area as well as those surrounding it as there may be other spores close by.
- Use a scrub brush or sponge to gently wipe the affected area.
- After the mold is wiped away, rinse the area thoroughly. Try to remove as much residual mold as you can.
- Spray the wet area again and allow it to dry to prevent the mold from returning.
You can also apply the cleaning solution directly onto the washcloth. Just make sure that it is wet with warm water beforehand.
Kill Mold with Hydrogen Peroxide
This cleaning solution has multiple advantages, such as killing bacteria, viruses, and mold spores on a variety of surfaces. It can also penetrate the surface of mold better than bleach, which makes it a good component when working with deeply embedded mold on both porous and non-porous surfaces. Although you may want to test it on a small area first to see if it may cause permanent damage to the surface.
Hydrogen peroxide is also great for removing any mold residues. So if you had previously used other chemicals on the same area, you can finish it up with this eco-friendly cleaning agent.
You can remove mold with hydrogen peroxide by following these steps:
Pour 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and the rest with water. Shake well.- Spray the entire area and ensure that it well-saturated with the cleaning solution.
- Allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit for at least 10 minutes for it to penetrate the mold’s surface.
- Scrub the area thoroughly with a cloth or scrub brush to remove the remaining embedded spores.
- Rinse once, and if there is still a residue, add a little more solution and continue to wipe the surface.
If you would like to make the cleaning solution stronger, you can also combine it with vinegar and apply it to surfaces that have more deeply-embedded mold.
Mold Removal with Borax
Borax is another great cleaner that is not commonly known to effectively remove mold. It is eco-friendly, inexpensive, and not dangerous to use. Just be sure to keep it away from small children and pets as it is toxic if swallowed.
Because it is effective in killing significant amounts of bacteria, it is commonly used to clean and deodorize toilets and drains. It can also be used to kill insects, weeds, and of course, mold as it penetrates deep into the surface to remove it at the source. Finally, it will prevent it from returning in the future as long as it is left in place.
Follow these steps on how to get rid of mold with Borax:
Add 1 cup of borax to a gallon of water.- Extract as many loose spores as possible with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. This will prevent the spores from spreading and contaminating the breathing air.
- Use a scrub brush or wet cloth to wipe away the affected surface.
- Dry any remaining moisture and any residual mold to prevent them from affecting other areas.
- Leave the borax to dry on the surface as it will inhibit future mold growth.
While it is not known as a popular cleaner, borax is one of the most effective mold-killers as it can be used with any surface and any amount of mold spores. It is even used in commercial products because it is harmless and prevents any future mold growth.
Professional Mold Removal
While there are a number of home remedies that can be used to effectively remove mold and leftover residue, specific species can be especially difficult to remove. In other cases, there is an infestation that is extremely dangerous to handle without professional equipment and products. In any situation that you become overwhelmed or are not able to remove the mold yourself, feel free to contact an Omaha mold removal & remediation professional.
If you live in the Omaha or Fremont, NE area, ServiceMaster Restoration Services provides effective and efficient mold removal services. Using professional products and protection equipment, our trained and experienced technicians are able to handle any size contamination in both commercial and residential properties. Call us today at (402)513-8306 to get a free quote or to schedule your appointment.
How to Get Rid of Mold with Home Remedies was last modified: February 13th, 2018 by Jessica Schildgen
