Black mold (fungus, causative agent - Aspergillus niger) - The curse of many homeowners, as a rule, appears in wet, dark areas and areas and can spread very quickly. Fortunately, black mold can be fought with many household chemicals: borax, bleach, tea tree oil, vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Use gloves while working and throw away contaminated items completely. Read on to find out how to clean up black mold.
Home remedies
Black mold can be a nasty surprise, but chances are, you already have everything you need to get rid of it:
- If you have borax, it can be used to remove mold from tiles, glass and wood surfaces..
- if you have detergent, use it for non-porous surfaces..
- if you have ammonia, it can be used to remove mold from tiles and glass surfaces..
- In the presence of bleach use it to remove stubborn mildew on non-porous surfaces.
- Use hydrogen peroxide as a non-toxic mold remover..
- Use tea tree oil as a natural fungicide..
- White vinegar is also a cheap and effective mold removal tool.
- By using baking soda you can remove mold on both porous and non-porous surfaces.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using cleaning products
Step 1. Kill the mold with borax
It is an inexpensive product that can be purchased at many household cleaning departments. Borax works both on smooth surfaces, such as tiles and glass, and on porous ones, such as wood (unless the material is afraid of excess moisture). First, vacuum the infected area with a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner to prevent fungal spores from spreading throughout the room. Next, clean up the mold by following these steps:
- mix 1 cup borax with 4 liters of water;
- dipping a stiff brush into this solution, clean the fungus;
- wipe the cleaned area dry;
- do not rinse the solution off the cleaned area as borax prevents mold from reoccurring.
Step 2. Remove mold with detergents
This method works effectively on glass, ceramic tiles and other smooth, non-porous surfaces. It will not kill mold, but by mixing detergent and water and using this solution to clean mold on smooth surfaces, you will achieve a similar effect.
- Mix 1 cup of detergent (such as laundry detergent) with 4 liters of water.
- Using a brush, apply the solution to the infected area, then scrape off the fungus with the same brush.
- When finished, rinse the cleaned area.
Step 3. Kill mold with pure ammonia
Pure ammonia is an effective mold killer, but it is toxic and must be used in small quantities. With ammonia, you can remove the toughest mold on glass and tiles. On wood and other porous surfaces, ammonia is not effective.
- Mix 2 cups water and 2 cups ammonia. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution onto the moldy surface.
- Leave it on for at least 2 hours.
- Rinse the surface and wipe dry.
Step 4. Remove mold with bleach
This is a very effective way to get rid of black mold on smooth surfaces like glass or tiles. Note, however, that bleach can damage these surfaces. Since the fumes from the bleach are poisonous, make sure that the work area is well ventilated. Open windows and wear protective gloves. Here's what to do:
- Mix 1 cup of bleach with 4 liters of water.
- Using a spray bottle or sponge, apply the bleach solution to black mold-infested surfaces.
- Leave it on for about an hour. You can wipe the surface later if you wish, but this is not necessary.
Method 2 of 3: Using natural remedies
Step 1. Get rid of mold with hydrogen peroxide
The substance is effective on all surfaces and is completely non-toxic. Buy a large bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution from the pharmacy and do the following:
- fill the spray bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution;
- spray the substance onto the moldy surface;
- leave for 20 minutes;
- wipe the surface dry.
Step 2. Remove mold with tea tree oil
This product can be used on any surface. Tea tree oil is natural and completely non-toxic, in addition, it kills black mold very effectively, as it is a natural fungicide (antifungal agent).
- Mix 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Moisten the mold-infected surface
- Do not wipe the surface as tea tree oil will prevent mold growth.
Step 3. Eliminate mold with grapefruit seed extract
This is another natural odorless mold remover.
- Mix 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract with 2 cups of water.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Moisten the mold-infected surface
- Leave the solution on the infected area to prevent spore growth.
Step 4. Kill mold with white vinegar
Pure vinegar can be used for areas that are significantly affected by mold, and a 1 to 1 solution of water and vinegar can be used for lightly affected areas. Vinegar is a good choice for all surfaces, including carpets and wood.
- Pour vinegar or vinegar solution into a spray bottle.
- Moisten the mold-infected surface
- Let it dry on a moldy surface. This will kill the mold.
Step 5. Remove mold with baking soda
It is another natural and effective mold remover for all types of surfaces, both smooth and porous.
- Dissolve a quarter tablespoon in two glasses of water.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray the product onto the moldy surface and scrub with a brush.
- Rinse the surface.
- Repeat the baking soda treatment to prevent the appearance.
Method 3 of 3: Solving Major Mold Infestations
Step 1. Check out-of-sight areas for mold
Mold can grow behind drywall panels, inside doorways, under sinks. Signs of black mold include strong odor, warped planks, and discolored ceilings.
Step 2. Get rid of mold-contaminated items
In some cases, you will not be able to get rid of mold simply by cleaning it. In such cases, the infected item will have to be replaced with a new one. Assess the extent of the infestation and determine if it is worth replacing some of the listed items if they become moldy:
- bathroom tiles;
- carpet and similar coverings;
- floorboards;
- ceiling covering or false ceiling.
Step 3. Isolate the infected area
This will prevent spores from traveling to other rooms by air. Cover the doors tightly, and tape the vents, doorways, and any other openings with plastic and tape to completely block the airflow.
The only exception is a cooker hood installed directly on the street. Do not cover it so that spores flying in the air will immediately go out
Step 4. Wear protection when handling mold
Wear a respirator, clothing or cover that can be easily washed or discarded after use. Also wear rubber gloves and safety goggles to keep black mold spores from coming into contact with your body.
Step 5. Isolate contaminated debris and debris
Any items contaminated with black mold should be immediately placed in trash bags. This will help avoid airborne spread of black mold spores.
Step 6. Call a professional mold remover if it covers large areas
Experts recommend contacting a professional if the mold area is more than one square meter. With such a degree of infection, it will not be possible to cope with it with improvised means.
Step 7. Eliminate moisture source to avoid re-infection
Repair leaking pipes, improve ventilation in a wet bathroom, install a dehumidifier in a wet basement. Dehumidify the area where the black mold is found to stop its formation.
Advice
Black mold is no more toxic than other types of indoor mold. Any type of mold is a potential causative agent of respiratory and lung problems, especially in allergy-prone people. To avoid this, any mold must be removed immediately
Warnings
- Keep tea tree oil away from pets - it is toxic to cats and dogs.
- If you throw away carpets, tiles, flooring, and other items that are infected with mold, place them in a sturdy trash bag. It does not hurt to put the packages one into the other, for reliability. Whenever possible, minimize the movement of these bags around the house to avoid spreading mold to other areas.
- Some items with a porous surface may not be cleanable (for example, carpet or window sealant). They should simply be replaced to avoid the spread of mold throughout the home.