How to Clean Black Mold

Nobody enjoys finding mold in their home, but the truth is that mold spores can be found in most homes—especially in humid and/or poorly ventilated spaces like attics and bathrooms. Mold can not only be unsightly but may be detrimental to your health as well. This is particularly true when mold spores are ingested and cause respiratory problems in those who pre-existing conditions like asthma or allergies.

Black mold is an especially dangerous type of mold that is surprisingly common and usually toxic. If you spot black mold in your home, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. In some cases, this is a task you can handle on your own. In more severe situations, you may need to call a mold remediation specialist or cleaning service.

How Do You Know It’s Black Mold?

As the name suggests, black mold is always black in color. However, it’s important to understand that other types of mold can also take on a black or dark color. Generally, true black mold will have a wet and somewhat slick or slimy texture. You should never use your bare hand to test the texture of the mold, however. Donning a glove and using a towel or napkin is a safer approach. Other types of mold will generally be fuzzier in nature.

If you’re still uncertain whether you’re dealing with black mold or another type, your best bet is to contact a professional.

Cleaning Black Mold in Your Home

Removal of black mold always carries some risk; after all, you’re dealing with toxic mold spores. In general, however, you can handle the cleaning of black mold yourself if the area affected is less than about 10 square feet. This is the equivalent of the size of a standard bathroom towel.

Ultimately, the method you’ll want to use to remove black mold will depend on the surface from which you’re cleaning it and the ingredients you have lying around your home. Borax is one of the most common ingredients used in household mold removal; it’s great for use on tile, wood, and glass. Baking soda can also be effective in removing mold from both non-porous and porous surfaces.

Wear Protective Gear

Before you get started, always don protective gear. This should include gloves, a respirator mask, and goggles. This will help protect you and limit your exposure to mold spores as you work. You should also work in a well-ventilated area, so be sure to open windows before you get started. Prevent mold spores from making their way into other rooms as you work by shutting the door to the affected room (or sealing it off) if possible.

Have the Correct Cleaning Supplies

If you choose to use borax, you can pick some of this up at your local grocery store inexpensively. It’s usually kept in the same aisle with the laundry detergent. From there, simply mix a cup of it with a gallon of water in a bucket, and then use a scrub brush to scrub away the mold. From there, wipe it clean but avoid rinsing the borax mixture away with water, as this leftover borax is what should help prevent future regrowth of mold.

If you’d prefer to use a natural method of removing mold, consider using concentrated white vinegar to get the job done. Simply pour the concentrate into a squirt bottle and dilute 50% with water. From there, spray the mixture onto the affected area until it’s saturated and let it dry on its own. Once it’s dry, you should be able to easy wipe away the mold. You can spray additional white vinegar onto the area after the mold has been removed to prevent regrowth as well.

Dispose of Cleaning Supplies

When you’re done removing black mold from the surface, be sure to discard of any towels or other materials used during the process. It’s also important to throw away any items that may have been contaminated with mold.

Preventing Future Mold Problems

One of the most important aspects of addressing black mold in your home is to determine what caused it in the first place and have necessary repairs made. For example, if a leaking pipe was causing water to pool behind your drywall and promote mold growth, then you need to have a plumber come out to perform pipe repair or replacement. Otherwise, you’re only going to run into more mold down the road (along with other problems).

Another common cause of mold is that of poor ventilation, especially in attics and bathrooms. If you continue to see mold regrowth in a particular area of your home, it may be time to have ventilation fans installed or to have other measures taken to reduce humidity.

When to Call a Mold Remediation Specialist

In some situations, you’re better off hiring a professional mold service to handle a black mold problem in your home. If you have respiratory conditions, such as allergies or asthma, you may want to avoid aggravating these by attempting to remove black mold yourself. Furthermore, if the affected area of black mold measures greater than 10 square feet (about the size of a bath towel), then it’s probably in your best interest to hire a mold remediation specialist.

A mold remediation company will have the knowledge, experience, and specialized tools needed to get rid of black mold in your home safely and effectively. These professionals can also take preventative measures, such as sealing off the affected room and getting rid of any soiled materials, to protect you and your loved ones.

Depending on the cause of the mold problem in your home, it is even possible that your treatment with a mold remediation company could be covered by your home insurance. Often, this is the case when the mold is caused by a covered incident or event (such as a pipe burst).

Looking For Additional Cleaning Help?

Nobody wants to deal with the hassle of cleaning up black mold in their free time. Unfortunately, these types of tasks often come along with the territory of being a homeowner. If you’re looking for ways to spend less time cleaning and more time doing the things you actually enjoy, it may be time to look into hiring a professional cleaning service.

Our team at Maid Sailors consists of insured and certified professionals who are here to leave your place sparkling clean. We even offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for your peace of mind, and we offer an extensive range of cleaning services to meet your needs and budget. Contact Maid Sailors today to set up your first appointment with us or to find out more about how we can help you reclaim some of your valuable time!