Have Black Mold in Your Home? Getting Rid of It Is Easier Than You Think (2024)

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How to Get Rid of Black Mold

1. Prepare Yourself and the Surrounding Area

   Start by gathering your cleaning supplies and opening windows and doors to ventilate the area while you clean. Turn off your air conditioning or heater and seal off doorways leading to other parts of your home.

   See Also

   Active Mold vs. Inactive Mold

   Change into an old pair of clothes that you wouldn't mind parting with and put on your protective goggles and rubber gloves.

2. Start With a Natural Cleaning Solution

   Bleach is a common solution for removing black mold, but it comes with it's own set of health concerns. Start addressing the mold with a natural cleaning solution, then move onto alternatives like bleach or even a professional if needed. Do not mix chemicals if you are unsure of the ingredients.

   Hydrogen peroxide is another common cleaning solution for mold problems that is less harsh and produces fewer fumes than chlorine bleach. Be sure the bottle of hydrogen peroxide (three to 10 percent solution) is fresh (it fizzes when it touches organic matter).

   Start with one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts baking soda to achieve a toothpaste-like consistency. Apply the paste to the areas of mold growth, then allow it to sit for 30 minutes, before returning with a damp scrub brush to scour the area. Rinse well with fresh water and dry with an old cloth. Repeat if needed.

   Tip

   If you don't have hydrogen peroxide, cleaning vinegar is a great substitute that can be used safely on most porous and non-porous surfaces. Distilled white vinegar can work too, since the acidity in vinegar can slowly break down the structure of mold and kill it, but it will work much slower than cleaning vinegar.

   

3. Use Chlorine Bleach

   If the natural cleaning solution didn't remove all the black mold in your home, try a diluted bleach solution next. Regular household chlorine bleach will remove mold and any discoloration it causes on surfaces. However, it is quite harsh and can harm some hard surfaces and fabrics, so follow these steps before using it:

   • Tile and grout on floor and walls: To get rid of black mold in the tiled bathroom and shower areas, mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water and apply the solution to the mold-affected areas. While wearing gloves, dip a sponge or old cloth in the solution and saturate the mold growth. Allow the solution to remain on the moldy area for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing with a nylon-bristled brush. Rinse the area with water and air-dry or dry with an old cloth. Retreat the area if needed.
   • Painted walls and wood floors: To clean mold from porous surfaces likewoodand drywall, a detergent should be added to the bleach and water solution to help it adhere. Mix one partdishwashing liquid that does not contain ammonia or hydrogen peroxide, 10 parts bleach, and 20 parts water. Apply the solution with a sponge or mop, trying not to over-saturate the surfaces. Do not rinse away; just allow the solution to air-dry.
   • Exterior siding and concrete: Mix one cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water. The solution can be used with a garden sprayer, power washer, or hand-scrubbing. Wet the moldy areas with plain water and thenthe bleach and water solution, and allow it to work for several minutes. If the mold lightens, move to another area. If stains remain, scrub the area, and then reapply more bleach and water solution. Allow the area to air-dry completely. Because bleach can kill grass and plants, rinse down nearby planted areas with plain water.
     
   • Air vents: Air vents, such as on your AC unit, or built-in vents on the floor or wall, can quickly create airborne spores. If you see mold on vents, address it right away. Turn off the circuit to the AC unit and wear protective clothing and face gear. Take the vent covers off, vacuum the vent with a HEPA filter vacuum, and clean the vent with a rag dipped into a mixture of water and a few drops of liquid dish detergent. The mold may still be visible. Dip another clean rag in a mix of 1:16 parts water and chlorine bleach. Use rags to clean the vent as far as you can reach. Dispose of rags in a plastic garbage bag that you will seal and take outdoors. Let the vents dry thoroughly before replacing any vent covers and turning the AC circuit back on.

   

Types of Common Household Mold

There are three categories of common molds found in households that can have health effects:

• Allergenic molds: Can be safely removed by using disinfecting products
• Pathogenic molds: Can be controlled with disinfectants (but large colonies require professional treatment)
• Toxic molds: Requires professional treatment and disposal of all affected materials

Black mold looks like black stains or dots growing in irregular circular patterns. It is most often found in homes or buildings that have been exposed to excessive amounts of water and humidity for an extended period of time, especially after a flood. Exposure to S. chartarum could potentially lead to a wide range of respiratory health effects, though this has not yet been proven.

If you discover extensive mold growth, it is a good idea to have a professional mold removal company come in to test and identify the type of mold present. Your local public health department can offer advice on mold testing and refer you to a mold remediation company. The U.S. Department of Environmental Protection recommends the professional removal of mold colonies that cover more than 10 square feet (roughly a 3-foot by 3-foot patch).

How Often to Clean Black Mold

As soon as any type of mold is spotted on any surface, the area should be cleaned immediately. Small colonies of black mold can become large colonies in just a few days. Since bathrooms, basem*nts, and any area subjected to high humidity are likely locations for mold growth, they should be checked at least weekly for signs of mold.

Tips to Keep Black Mold Away

Since mold spores are everywhere, even in dry climates, a colony of black mold or other toxic molds can form in your home. However, there are steps you can take to help prevent the growth of any type of unwanted mold.

• Control humidity levels: Mold needs moisture for growth. To prevent this, ensure thehumidity levelin your home never rises above 60 percent.
• Repair leaks: Just a small leak can cause wood, drywall, grout, and other porous surfaces to become a welcome spot for mold growth. Promptly fix leaky pipes, fixtures, windows, and roofs.
• Keep fabrics and surfaces dry: Never leave wet coats, shoes, or towels in a heap. It takes only two days for mold to take hold, begin to grow, and smell musty. Hang your wet items so they dry more quickly. Be sure to dry shower stalls and tubs with a squeegee after every use. Save wet jobs like mopping floors, steam cleaning fabrics, or power-washing surfaces for a warm, breezy day so the surfaces dry quickly.
• Improve ventilation in your home: Make sure you are using bathroom and kitchen fans when cooking to remove steam and speed drying. The addition of ceiling fans and circulating fans can be a great help when the humidity is high. Open doors and windows on dry, breezy days.

• Use a dehumidifier: If the humidity is high in your basem*nts or laundry room, use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air.
• Check ductwork and venting systems: You should always check and clean your HVAC ductwork andclothes dryer ductworkat least once a year to prevent clogs or leaks that allow moisture back into your home.
• Install moisture barriers: Basem*nt areasand crawl spaces are prone to excessive moisture. Install moisture barriers where needed and use specialty coatings to make sure moisture from the earth is not entering the space.
  
• Clean regularly: To keep black mold growth in check, make sure to clean mold-prone areas often. This includes basem*nts, bathrooms, and any other rooms with high moisture levels.