How to Get Rid of Mold Guide

One of the most frequent questions that home improvement contractors and mold removal companies hear is: what are the secrets for how to get rid of mold in my home? Most home improvement books will include a section on how to kill mold, as well as how to prevent it from returning. While areas of about twenty five square feet can be easily and safely cleaned by home owners, larger areas should only be cleaned and treated by professionals. Mold removal companies can be found in your local newspaper's classifieds section, as well as in the yellow pages. To do it yourself, you will need the following supplies to help you with safe and effective black mold removal:

Tools for getting rid of mold:

• N-95 respirator (found at local hardware stores for $15-$25)
• Heavy duty latex gloves
• Goggles
• Trash bags
• Bleach
• Spray bottle
• Plastic sheets (or painter's drop cloths)
• Duct tape
• Box fan
• Rags and brushes

The first step when it comes to how to get rid of mold is to locate the source (or origin) of the mold. You will then need to prepare the area for the cleaning. Since mold spores can become airborne when they are dry, you will want to start by sealing off the area with plastic sheets and duct tape. This will prevent the spores form entering other areas of your home or office. You should also use a box fan to pull the air away from the mold infested area and direct it outdoors.

Once you have sealed the area, you will want to put on your goggles, gloves and respirator. Mix 1.25 - 1.5 cups of bleach to 1 gallon of water and place in a spray bottle. To begin black mold removal, spray the moldy area with a light mist of the bleach solution. This will moisten the mold and start killing the spores. This will also help prevent the mold form becoming airborne.

You should wait about 10 minutes, then proceed to remove black mold with brushes, simple detergent and water. Be careful not to mix the bleach solution with other caustic solutions. A regular dish detergent will do the trick. Once you've completed cleaning the area, make sure you allow the area to dry completely. The box fan will help do the trick. Dispose of the gloves, brushes and rags in heavy duty trash bags.

Getting rid of mold can be accomplished safely by following the simple steps above. Now that you know how to get rid of mold, you can periodically treat the mold susceptible areas of your home. Black mold prevention products are available at your local hardware and home improvement stores.  And remember - if the toxic mold problems in your home are severe, contact one of your local mold removal companies for an estimate.