Mold Cleaning Tips
Mold spores float in the air; mold is a fungus that requires moisture and oxygen to grow. Mold feeds and will grow on almost any material such as leather, fabrics, wallpaper, wood and concrete. Mold causes adverse health issues and is damaging cosmetically and structurally.
Mold thrives in damp, dark places like basements, shaded areas with no sunlight, brick and masonry surfaces. Basements are a common place to find mold in a home.
Here are a few TIPS to clean and control mold:
Keep everything clean and as dry as possible. Use dehumidifiers and air purifiers in high moisture areas.
Waterproof walls/wood/concrete surfaces.
Good air circulation reduces moisture.
Don’t paint over molded areas; mold will eat through paint, including Kilz. These only camouflage the problem.
Removing mold does not necessarily kill it; there are numerous cleaners, chemicals and fungicide sprays available to remove mold; sprinkle chlorinated lime in basement areas to eliminate odors; use sodium hydrochloride (bleach solution) to remove mold and mildew.
Books: sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch to absorb any moisture that may be in your bookcase or in the book itself.
Wear waterproof gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, or polyurethane, not the ordinary household rubber gloves, when cleaning with chemical solutions. Use a longer length glove that extends to the middle of your arm. DO NOT touch mold or mildew with bare hands.
Use goggles and breathing masks available at hardware stores or on the internet. If you have a beard, consider shaving so you get a tighter fit with the breathing mask and therefore more protection.
Note: For extreme and serious cases of mold growth contact professional mold remediation contractors.
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