How to Kill Mold and Mildew in Your Home

Too much moisture in your home or mild damp areas will produce mold and mildew within 24 to 48 hours. Mold reproduces by tiny spores that float through the air. When they land on wet surfaces they start to reproduce. Mold and mildew can cause a variety of health issues, that's why it is so important to kill and clean up the mess. It can be very difficult to get rid of mold spores, if you don't know how to clean them up.

First you should fix any water leaks or condensation problems. Repair any plumbing leaks and dry all items that are wet immediately. Everything must be completely dry before beginning to clean up the mold or mildew. Tiles, carpet, and other porous materials may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Places that are often damp can be hard to keep mold free. Wet materials that have dried before 24 hours are less likely to grow mold.

Once all surfaces are dry then you can start cleaning up the mold or mildew areas. However, if the size of the mold is substantial you will need a professional cleaner. If the mold is less than 10 square feet you can clean it up yourself. Bigger areas can be more hazardous therefore you will need professionals. There are a few items you can buy to help you kill the mold or mildew.

You will need a few items to protect yourself from the dangerous spores. You will need rubber gloves, mask, and even goggles. Some items that you can buy to kill mold and mildew are chlorine bleach, vinegar, three percent hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, grape seed extract, and tea tree oil. All these items will kill mold or mildew, but not all can be use on the same surfaces.

Chlorine bleach is great for killing mold, if you are not concerned about fumes. Make sure you wear a mask and ventilate the area where you will be using the bleach. You will need to make a mixture of one cup of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Bleach should only be used on tiles, walls, glass, and other hard surfaces.

Vinegar will also be useful in cleanup. Make sure to spray the vinegar directly on the surface and let it stand for a few minuets and scrub off the mold or mildew with a brush. Wipe the vinegar and mold off with a dry towel. The vinegar will leave a smell, but will dissipate over time.

Three percent Hydrogen peroxide will also kill mold and mildew. Pour the peroxide into a spray bottle undiluted to use for killing mold. Spray on the surface and let it sit for about ten minuets then wipe off with dry cloth.

Another environmentally safe item is baking soda. Baking soda is great for killing mold and mildew. It also absorbs moisture. Pour one quarter of baking soda in with one spray bottle of water. Spray surface and scrub, then dry with a cloth.

Two other items to use are grape seed oil or tea tree oil. Both are more expensive to purchase and you can find them in health food stores. To use the grape seed oil add about 20 drops to two cups of water. The tea tree oil is two tablespoons to two cups of water. Either oil you use are both odor free and environmentally safe.

Finally once you have cleaned all the mold and mildew from your home you can take steps to keep it from coming back. If your walls were contaminated, there is a paint you can buy to keep mold from growing back on your walls. Sherwin Williams, "Harmony" contains an EPA approved anti-microbial additive for mold and mildew resistance. Also, keep your indoor humidity at around 30 to 50 percent. Clean off any condensation you see on windows or panes. Vent appliances that can produce moisture. Using a humidifier can help condensation or any signs of humidity. Run bathroom fans after showering and cover pipes and other cold surfaces with insulation.

Resources:

http://blackmold.awardspace.com/kill-remove-mold.html#hydrogenperoxide

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/green/paint/