Indoor Mold

Mold Cleanup

1) When do I need to implement mold cleanup in my home?

If you can see or smell mold, you likely have a problem and should take the steps to clean your home for mold.

2) Can I do the cleanup or do I need to hire someone?

It depends on the size of the mold problem.
For a small area (total area less than 10 square ft) the homeowner or maintenance staff can handle the cleanup using personal protective equipment.
For a large area (more than 10 square ft) it is advisable that an experienced, professional contractor be used.

3) How do I clean up the mold?

Identify and eliminate the sources of moisture
Identify and assess the amount of mold and area covered.
Clean and dry the moldy areas.
Bag and dispose of all materials that have moldy residues on them (rags, paper, leaves and debris).

4) What can be cleaned and what do I need to throw away?

You should discard any moldy items that are porous, because it will be very difficult to remove all the mold from these items. Porous items include ceiling tiles, sheetrock, carpeting, paper, rags, wallboard, drapes, and upholstered furniture. The backing/padding of the carpet may also need to be discarded.
Solid materials can generally be kept after they have been cleaned. These include glass, plastic and metal substances.

5) How do I remove the porous moldy materials?

Clean up should only begin after the source of water is removed and all excess water is removed.
Wear gloves.
Discard the porous materials (sheetrock, tiles, carpeting and wood products).
Discard the moldy items by placing them in plastic bags so the spores do not spread once the mold dries out.

6) How do I clean the non-porous items?

Wear gloves, a mask and eye protection when doing this cleanup.
First, remove as much mold as possible. A cleaning detergent can be used.
Use non-ammonia soap or detergent, or a commercial cleaner in hot water and then scrub the entire area that is affected by the mold.
Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on cement block walls or other uneven surfaces.
Rinse and dry the area thoroughly.
A disinfectant can then be used to kill the microorganisms.

7) What are disinfectants and should I use them?

Disinfectants are used to kill most microorganisms on a surface that has already been cleaned thoroughly.
Disinfectant agents can be toxic for humans and should only be used when necessary and should be handled with caution.

8) How do I use disinfectants after the mold is removed from nonporous materials?

Wear gloves, mask and eye protection when using disinfectants.
Make sure the area is well ventilated because bleach fumes can irritate the eyes, nose and throat.
Never mix bleach with ammonia because it produces toxic fumes.
Thoroughly clean and rinse the infected area.
Use a solution of 6 percent household bleach (1 cup bleach per gallon of water).
Using bleach straight from the bottle is less effective than the 6% solution.
Keep the disinfectant on the material for the designated time before rinsing and drying (10 minutes is recommended for the bleach solution).
Collect and dispose of extra disinfectant.

9) Can cleaning up mold be hazardous to my health?

Yes, during the cleaning process you may be exposed to mold, strong detergents and disinfectants.
Spore counts in the air increase when molds are disturbed during the cleaning process.

10) How do I protect myself while cleaning up the molds?

Use a respirator to protect yourself from inhaling the spores. Respirators can be purchased from a hardware store. Select one that is effective for particle removal (N-95 particulate respirator). Respirators will not protect you from fumes from the cleaning materials.
Wear protective clothing that can be cleaned or discarded.
Use rubber gloves.
Clean a test area first. If you feel you are unable to safely clean the mold, contact an experienced professional.
Keep others away from the area being cleaned.
Work in short time periods with breaks in between.
Air out the house during and after the cleaning.
Do not use equipment with gasoline engines indoors.

11) Can ozone air cleaners help remove indoor mold and the odors it produces?

Ozone air cleaners in any occupied space are NOT recommended.
Ozone is an oxidizing agent that eliminates odors, however, it is also a lung irritant.
Ozone is not effective in controlling molds and other microbial contamination.
Ozone may also damage materials in your home.

12) Can I eliminate all molds from my home?

There is no way to eliminate all molds from being present in your home. Controlling moisture is the best way to prevent mold from growing.