Tips To Clean Up Your Home From Mold Growth

29 January 2021
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Mold growth is a part of life, especially when you consider the number of mold spores in the environment around you. However, you certainly can keep your home and living space free of the dangers of mold growth with some diligence and careful clean-up. Here are some recommendations to help you take care of your home interior after water damage and mold growth.

Clean Up Mold Growth

When you discover mold growth in your home, you need to act fast to remove it to reduce exposure to the spores and adverse actions to your health. Because mold spores can be so toxic, it is also necessary that you protect yourself while you clean it up. Wear rubber gloves, eye protection, and an N95 mask or a respirator. And when you are removing materials that are contaminated with mold growth, moisten them down with a spray of water to keep the mold spores from being airborne. 

For example, to clean up moldy carpet in your home, you will likely need to remove it for disposal. With the right protection, spray down the carpeting to moisten the surface mold, then roll up the carpeting. Wrap the carpeting up in a plastic covering and so the mold spores cannot escape, protecting yourself and anyone that comes into contact with the damaged carpeting on its way to or at the waste disposal center.  

If you are able to clean off mold damaged surfaces, be sure you remove the visible mold growth with a vinegar and water solution, then wipe down other surrounding surfaces with a mold disinfectant cleaner. For example, on drywall or painted surfaces, use a vinegar solution to wipe off mold growth then allow the surface to air dry, which kills the mold spores remaining that you may not see. If you are cleaning off wood, it can be difficult to remove the mold spores that have grown into the wood, so treat the wood with the vinegar solution and allow it to air dry then ensure it remains fully dry to prevent regrowth.

Prevent Mold Recurrence

The key to the prevention of mold growth is to dry out an area and keep it dry. Any surfaces that become wet and stay wet for a day or two or longer are at risk of forming mold growth. Mold spores are everywhere around you in the environment and inside your home air, so you need to be diligent to prevent mold growth from returning. 

Dry off surfaces that become saturated with the use of towels, water extraction machines — such as a shop vacuum or a carpet cleaner — place vans, open windows, and run your home's ventilation system and heater especially when it has a dehumidifier system so you can remove moisture from the air.

Keep your home well ventilated to prevent moisture buildup in the air. You can do this with good venting practices through your home each day. Use a kitchen vent when you are cooking and open a window after showering or bathing. 

Reach out to a local mold remediation service to get more tips.