How to Safely and Effectively Clean Up Mold in Your Home

Mold remediation is best done by a professional however, there are steps to conquer smaller mold remediations at home - if you're up for the task.

At home mold removal can be performed safely as long as you understand the basics. Learning how mold spreads, how to control "invisible" particulates in the air and the methods for removal are an important first step.

Mold growing on painted HVAC ducting in Bucks County, PA

Mold can be an unwelcome guest in your home, posing health risks and potential structural damage if left unchecked. Our goal is to help walk you through how to address smaller scale mold problems at home, while outlining effective steps you can take to prevent mold from growing in the first place, and finally, how to know when its time to call a professional mold remediation service whether you're in Philadelphia, Bucks County, PA, Montgomery County, PA, or Southern New Jersey.

Understanding Mold and Its Risks

There are thousands of different mold types and they all have their own unique characteristics and features. From these many types of mold, there are substrains which can also be unique and have different characteristics from each other.

Most of the time, and in this area, mold thrives in damp, dark environments and can grow on a variety of surfaces, from walls and ceilings to carpets and furniture. Mold targets and feeds on organic matter like paper products, soil, plant life and even textiles. Although mold can not grow on most concrete floors or metal surfaces, it can grow on the dirt or dust on the concrete or inside HVAC ducting. When trying to remove mold at home, its important to first identify the substrate its actually growing on and using as its food source.

Mold spreads through disruption similar to a dandeleon in a field. Picking that dandelion will inevitably send seedlings into the air to eventually float and settle and grow in new places. From where you picked it, if you did not pull the root, it will grow back. Mold acts the same way. The difference is that aerosolized spores are typically between 2 and 20 microns in size and can not be seen with the naked eye. When trying to remove mold, especially in small spaces like underneath a cupboard or in a crawlspace, it's important to realize where these spores will undoubtably land. It is also the reason why wearing the proper PPE and having respiratory protection is important. Especially in tight spaces, without the correct PPE, breathing in mold spores during remediation is far too easy - and most times, likely.

Exposure to mold spores can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and other health concerns, especially for individuals with asthma or compromised immune systems. How an individual is affected by mold will vary based on the person. There are too many factors to try and contribute a particular symptom to a particular mold type without the direction of a health care professional. For this reason, we always recommend speaking with a doctor or health care professional in the event you think your symptoms or illnesses are mold related.

Home Remedies for Cleaning Mold

For minor mold issues, you can try the following solutions:

1. White Vinegar

   • Spray undiluted white vinegar directly on moldy surfaces.

   • Let it sit for an hour, then scrub with a brush.

   • Rinse the area with water and allow it to dry completely.

     
     

2. Baking Soda and Water

   • Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.

   • Spray the solution onto the mold, scrub the area, then wipe it clean.

     
     

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

   • Use 3% hydrogen peroxide and spray it onto the affected surface.

   • Let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub the area and wipe it dry.

     
     

As a professional mold remediation specialist, I want to take a minute and warn anyone reading this that the above recommendations do NOT represent chemicals or solutions we would ever use professionally. Most of these commonly recommended household solutions are what we refer to as “better than nothing”. They should not be used with the intention or assumption this is the same things used as professional remediation companies.

Over the years, and especially with the introduction of COVID-19, there has been a huge shift and spotlight placed on indoor air quality and the use of PPE. The chemistry has changed in the last 20 years and so has our understanding of how to effectively remove mold growing in populated homes or commercial spaces.

"Wood has a natural moisture content. Encapsulating wood can prevent its ability to breathe, potentially causing issues with warping in the future” - Bulldog Mold Specialist

As you continue to read, we will dive deeper into chemicals you can purchase over the counter to help you remove mold at home. With this said, please remember to read and follow the instructions of anything you purchase over the counter, be cognizant of what you’re mixing together, and take the proper steps to do so safely.

Over-the-Counter Chemicals for Mold Removal

If natural remedies don’t or won’t work -or- you want a stronger approach, consider these products:

1. Bleach

   • Effective for non-porous surfaces like tiles and countertops.

   • Mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Apply to moldy areas, scrub, and rinse.

   • Avoid using bleach on porous materials, as it won’t penetrate and kill mold below the surface.

     
     

2. Commercial Mold Cleaners

   • Brands like Mold Armor and Concrobium Mold Control are widely available and highly effective.

   • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and safety precautions.

     
     

3. Ammonia

   • Mix equal parts of clear ammonia and water, apply to the mold, and rinse thoroughly.

   • Avoid mixing ammonia with bleach, as this produces toxic fumes.

Again, we refer to these over the counter chemicals as a step above “better than nothing”. With the exception of Ammonia, the first two recommendations are mostly “Sodium Hypochlorite” based. Some manufacturershave branched into offering Calcium Hypochlorite based options as well, although they’re not nearly as effective. Professionally, many mold remediation companies use similar products. Most over the counter sodium hypochlorite products are similar to pool shock and a surfactant like dawn dish soap. The way these chemicals work though can be deceiving and results typically vary dependent on how they are applied and the work being done prior to and post application. Sodium hypochlorite based products can make a huge visual difference. It bleaches the wood around the microbial growth and makes it appear like the mold staining magically disappears.

The two main issues we see with this are:

1. If all you are doing is spraying a chemical, you are leaving the mold on the substrate. Mold does not magically transport somewhere else. You need to remove it. Even hyphal fragments can make you sick and mold does not have to be living to for you to notice its ill effects.

2. Once dry, sodium hypochlorite crystallizes. It tends to attract moisture which can help reactivate and provide the moisture needed for mold to grow back.

   
   

Most remediation companies will use these products in attics and crawlspaces to save time and money on the labor needed to actually remove the mold through hepa vacuuming and sanding. Once the chemicals are applied, an encapsulation is performed, most of the time sealing the wood and covering the mold left on the affected surfaces.

As a professional mold remediation company, we do not recommend encapsulation of wood surfaces for many reasons. The most important one however comes down to the woods natural mosisture content and its ability to “breathe” (expand and contract). Sealing wood off like this can create larger more serious issues and can even end up warping floor boards or joists.

Air Filtration and Containment

Proper air filtration and containment are essential to prevent mold spores from spreading to other parts of your home. When attempting a remediation at home, you may want to consider purchasing a hepa filtrated negative air machine. These are a little expensive however some larger tool rental stores may offer this equipment for a daily rental rate.

1. HEPA Filters

   • Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to trap mold spores in the air.

   • Consider upgrading your HVAC system to include HEPA filtration.

     
     

2. Hepa Vacuum

   • Ensure it is a True Hepa Vacuum and not just the filter

   • Take steps to control exhaust air

   • Use brush attachments to agitate and remove mold from uneven surfaces

     
     

3. Plastic Containment

   • Seal off the affected area with plastic sheeting and duct tape.

   • This prevents spores from contaminating other rooms.

   • Once you think you are done, cover opened wall cavities with poly to restrict air flow until final testing is done

   
   

Like a painter, a good remediation technician will tell you that mold remediation is 90% set up. Ensuring that you have a sealed containment, proper air filtration, and the right equipment to collect mold spores will make the rest of the project move smoothly.

Proper PPE for Mold Removal

To protect yourself while cleaning mold, use the following personal protective equipment (PPE):

• N95 Mask or Respirator:

  • Prevents inhalation of mold spores.

• Gloves:

  • Use rubber or neoprene gloves to avoid skin contact.

• Goggles:

  • Protects your eyes from mold spores and cleaning chemicals.

• Disposable Coveralls:

  • Keeps your clothing free of contamination.

The proper PPE means little if not worn correctly. We recommend respirators be fitted properly and that users don and doff PPE while taking cross contamination into consideration. There are some really great free or cheap paid online courses to help teach you how to properly wear PPE.

When to Call a Professional

While small-scale mold issues can often be handled with home remedies and over-the-counter products, there are times when professional intervention is necessary:

1. Widespread Mold

   • If mold covers an area larger than 10 square feet, it’s best to hire a professional.

2. Hidden Mold

   • Mold behind walls, under carpets, or inside HVAC systems requires specialized equipment to detect and remove.

3. Health Concerns

   • If anyone in your household experiences symptoms like respiratory distress or allergic reactions, seek professional help immediately.

   
   

At Bulldog Cleaning & Restoration, we provide expert mold remediation services throughout Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, PA and Southern New Jersey. Our trained technicians use advanced equipment and techniques to remove mold safely and effectively, ensuring your home is healthy and mold-free. Our team undergoes extensive trainings that encompass mold remediation techniques, containment construction, PPE, equipment set up and more. If you have mold in your home or business and you don’t believe it to be something you can conquer on your own, give our team at Bulldog a call and we can surely assist you!