How to Eliminate Mold

Mold and mildew can be very difficult to detect when they are present in the home. Sometimes you see them, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes they are black, sometimes they are white. While you can buy anti-mold products, there are probably common household products in your home that are just as effective, if not better.

Table of Contents

Treat the root cause of mold

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In essence, mold is born from a humid environment. The mold problem is also a moisture problem. If you clean the mold but don’t address the damp, you’re inviting mold back. Clean up and dry any standing or water damaged areas within 24 hours to prevent mold growth. ^{[1] X Trusted Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Go to source}

Mold often appears in bathrooms (due to the shower) and kitchens (due to the sink). Be sure to wipe off any standing water on the sink and open the bathroom window after showering.

Call a professional service if mold takes up more than 1 square meter. If you have to deal with a serious mold situation – over 1 square meter – it is best to call in a professional service for mold removal and cleaning. ^{[2] X Trusted Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Go to source} They have the ability to use highly effective cleaning agents and have means of protection from inhaling fungal spores.

Consider discarding porous and absorbent materials. Porous and absorbent materials such as drywall partitions and ceiling tiles may need to be removed if excessively damaged by mold. Mold can fill gaps and tiny holes in these materials, making it difficult to eliminate completely. In this case, cleaning is only a temporary solution to prevent mold growth; they will come back unless you completely dismantle the indoor surfaces.

Do not paint or plaster surfaces contaminated with mold. This is just a temporary solution that doesn’t really work. Surfaces such as walls or tiles that have been painted or plastered will not eat paint and putty; the paint will peel off because there is no clean surface to stick to.

Be sure to thoroughly clean the moldy surface before painting or plastering. Dry and wait a day or two before painting to be sure.

Use cleaning solutions

Try a mixture of bleach and warm water. Mix 240 ml of bleach with 4 liters of warm water. ^{[3] X Source of Study} Use a medium hardness brush dipped in bleach solution and attack stains caused by mold. Remember to wipe as dry as possible afterwards, as moisture will facilitate mold growth.

In hard-to-reach places, you can put the bleach solution in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the mold. Then brush with a brush as usual.
This solution is most suitable in areas with mold contamination such as bathrooms, kitchens and other rooms with tiled or non-porous surfaces.
Bleach is very effective at killing fungi and fungal spores. The active ingredient sodium hypochlorite in bleach is also the main ingredient in products that kill mold.

Use vinegar. Pour undiluted white apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray vinegar on the moldy area and scrub with a brush, then dry thoroughly.

Only use the vinegar solution on non-porous surfaces like tiles – not wood.
Unlike bleach, vinegar is non-toxic and does not have a strong, irritating vapor. As a weak acid, vinegar is said to be 80% effective against fungi, molds and particles respectively.

Use a solution of borax (solder) to kill and inhibit the growth of mold. Mix 240 ml of borax with 4 liters of warm water. Dip the brush into the borax solution and rub vigorously against the mold surface. Use a clean rag to dry the water and borax.

Use borax only on non-porous surfaces. Borax for bathrooms and kitchens is better tiled than wooden surfaces.
Although borax is toxic if swallowed, it is a natural, non-volatile cleaning product and contains no chemical additives. Borax effectively kills molds and prevents them from growing.

Utilize ammonia. First, make sure the product says “clear ammonia”. Next, mix one part clear ammonia with one part water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the ammonia solution onto the mold surface and scrub it clean. Wipe off any residual ammonia.

Never mix ammonia with bleach . Ammonia and bleach when mixed will create a toxic chemical called chlorine gas. ^{[4] X Research Source} This is toxic even if inhaled.
For stubborn stains caused by mildew, spray ammonia on the surface and let it sit for several hours before scrubbing it off.

Try using baking soda as a paste or leave it as is. Baking soda is both mild – meaning it’s safe for your whole family – and effective. Baking soda is well known as a mild household cleaner and helps to deodorize (it’s no wonder it’s used as a deodorant). Baking soda is used in two basic ways:

Mix with water and vinegar. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 240 ml of water and stir well. Pour into a spray bottle and spray onto moldy surfaces, such as bathroom tiles. Use another spray bottle containing vinegar and spray more on the surface. (This will cause a chemical reaction to form carbon dioxide). Vinegar is often used with baking soda because it can kill many fungi.
Sprinkle baking soda directly on the mold surface. This method is especially effective when used on porous surfaces such as furniture or drywall partitions. Allow sodium bicarbonate to penetrate wet surface, then wipe clean.

Use hydrogen peroxide. Buy a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray hydrogen peroxide on the mold surface, wait at least 10 minutes, and scrub clean. ^{[5] X Research Source} Wipe dry to prevent mold from returning.

Hydrogen peroxide is a great alternative to bleach and other cleaning solutions that are highly volatile and can be toxic. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective at removing stains left by mold.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used on many different surfaces. You can safely use hydrogen peroxide on clothing, floors, fixtures, walls, and even electrical appliances. Be sure to test a small amount on an inconspicuous area of furniture before massaging, though, as hydrogen peroxide can discolor clothing and other surfaces.

Cleaning less common surfaces and materials

Clean mold on clothes. Use as clean a brush as possible. Remember to do this outdoors so the mold doesn’t spread to other areas of the house. Then wash the clothes (if desired, you can soak them in bleach or stain-cleaning solution first). Hang clothes in the sun.

If your clothes are non-washable, take it to a dry cleaner and show them the stain. Ask if they can remove the mold.

Clean mold on leather goods. Use a scrub brush to remove mold as much as possible. As above, you need to do this work outdoors. Dip a cloth into a cup containing a solution of half water to half alcohol denat. Rub on the mold. Let dry completely.

Instead of alcohol denat, you can use soap made for leather.

Remove mold on books and paper. Make sure the moldy item is completely dry. If not, leave it in a ventilated place to dry. Take it outside and use a dry cloth to wipe it as clean as possible. Dip the cloth in the soapy solution (regular dishwashing liquid can be used). Squeeze dry and wipe away any remaining stain. Use soapy water to wash off the soap and let it dry.

If soapy water doesn’t work, you can try a mixture of bleach or vinegar and water.
If you have a lot of moldy pages, you’ll need to spread them out separately so they don’t stick together. It’s also a good idea to put a fan in front of it to dry quickly. To make sure the pages don’t stick together, sprinkle some flour between the pages when drying the book. Brush off the powder when the book is dry.

Advice

Using vinegar instead of bleach to kill mold is much better for you and the environment. You can use a higher concentration of vinegar than bleach because it won’t cause headaches or be toxic to you, your children, or your pets. Care should be taken not to use both at the same time (see warnings below).
If mold persists, you can add 120 ml of bleach or vinegar to the mixture.
Shout cleaning solution can be used to spray mold on tiles. Leave it on until it can be easily wiped off with a towel or rag, then rinse with water.
To get rid of musty smells in the bathroom, use a stopper or damper in the bathroom drain (“Mildont” is a good brand).
Mold is a serious problem in Hawaii; people often use Jomax and Bleach to clean their houses and entrances, etc…
Consider using a mildew remover solution. These products are available in supermarkets and are an easy way to remove mold from furniture surfaces.

Warning

Make sure not to mix bleach and vinegar ! This mixture can produce deadly dangerous gases. Use only one of the two, not together.
Remember to cover other items before using bleach. You won’t want to see your furniture discolored!

Things you need

Washing powder
Water
Glove
Protective mask
Goggles

Steps