Are you one of the clean freaks? Do black mold gross you out? The toxic black mold is a combination of micro fungus. In slime heads, it produces conidia. The scientific name is Stachybotrys chartarum. It lives in soils and grains. But mostly, it is detected in damp buildings. It grows in cellulose-rich building materials. This article covers ways to get rid of black mold. Let’s dig in.
Steps of black mold removal.
Step 1
One must get rid of black mold. First, identify whether it is a black mold. Look at the color. Now recognize the smell. It will have a dark greyish color. The smell will be wet and musty. This is because it grows in areas, rich in moisture.
One easy way is there to detect black mold. People will experience sensations of burning and scratching in their lungs and throat. Black molds are hazardous for health. Try to treat them as soon as possible.
First, carry out a black mold test. Next, try to find out the source of it. It usually results from excess moisture trapped in an area. Usually, the least visited areas in the house tend to have molds. One of them being, the basement.
Some of the common sources of moisture get a mention here. Firstly, leaky faucets and fixtures lead to mold growth over time. You may find them in the shower, sinks and bathtubs. Second is exposed plumbing. You may encounter damaged and leaky pipes. In warmer temperatures, black molds are prevalent in basements. Thirdly, a small leak in the water heater closet may also create black mold.
Step 2
Protect yourself when finding and treating black mold. You will require the following. Wear a respirator. It protects against spores. Hence, you can prevent yourself from black mold poisoning. Now wear clothes that cover your skin completely. Shirts will long sleeves are a must. Besides, wear long pants as well.
Do not forget to wear goggles. It will ensure the protection of the yes. Alongside wear gloves. This will protect your hands. Discard the gloves after use. Safely dispose of the gloves to prevent further contamination.
Step 3
Prepare the area before you step into working mode after protective clothing comes cleaning essentials. First, turn off your air conditioner. Similarly, you need to turn off the heater. Avoid the moving air around the house. This allows better removal of the molds from the area.
Now seal the doorways or areas. Use tarps or painter’s tape to tape down the house. This prevents the mold spores from spreading around the house. Thirdly, using exhaust fans near the outdoor openings is a must. It will ensure the removal of the airborne spores.
Step 4
Check the moisture content of the area in question. In this case, use a moisture meter. You might encounter no moisture in the area. Before measuring, spray with water. This prevents the spores from being airborne.
Step 5
Here comes the most crucial step. Clean the area thoroughly. You may opt for a natural solution. Combine five parts of white vinegar and one-part baking soda in a spray bottle.
An alternate to this is a chemical remover. These include mold removers, mildew removers, bleach, all-purpose cleaners. If on budget, you may even use some dish soap.
Now opt for any option of your choice. Spray the solution on the affected area. Now let the moisture seep it. Do not touch the area for about an hour or so. After an hour, scrub the area thoroughly. Use a sponge and the solution for this.
Now let it dry. Repeat the process as required. Continue until you can obliterate the mold—a note of caution. Read the manufacturer instructions in the labels. Use it accordingly.
Step 6
Now clean up the area thoroughly. Try to remove any leftover debris containing black mold. Next, thoroughly clean the area. Make sure the area is spotless. Unseal the doorways with safety.
Consequently, leave the exhaust fan on. Keep it on for a few hours or up to a full day. The main aim is to prevent the relapse of mold formation. Remember to avoid moisture formation at home.
It would help if you disinfected the areas regularly. These areas may be prone to wetness. Try to repair leaks whenever possible. The faster the actions are taken, the quicker will be the prevention. Make sure you dry the items before storing them. Keep an eye on monitoring the airflow.
Home remedies work well for any problem. Black molds have homemade solutions too.
A tea tree oil solution
Want to get rid of spiders? Use tea tree solution. Similarly, black mold can destroy using tea tree oil. It is one of the safest options for black mold removal. Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide. It works as a cleaner. Besides, it can remove black mold with ease. Thereby, it prevents further fungal formation.
So, how do you make the tea tree solution? It would help if you had a combination of one teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of water. Now you may increase the quantity as required. Keep the ratio constant throughout.
Make the solution. Now shake and put it in a spray bottle. This maximizes the coverage of the solution on the affected area. Besides, you may replace the spray bottle with a damp towel. This will decrease the hassle by half.
Extraction from Grapefruit seed
It is a well-known healthcare remedy. It is made of some essential compounds. Polyphenols like limonoids and naringenin are present in it. It kills bacteria in laundry and cleaning carpets. Besides, sterilizing and disinfecting spaces require such a definitive solution. Hence, it gets the job done of mold removal with ease. The acid content in it penetrates growth. As a result, it prevents mold spores from preventing.
Mix about ten drops of grapefruit seed oil extract in a cup of water. Let the solution sit in the affected area. After an hour repeat the process of scrubbing. Keep repeating until completely clean.
Baking soda solution
Baking soda has a very high acidic ph. It is a remedy for almost all dirt treatments. Similarly, it is effective enough to treat mold spores. The ratio must be1:1. The solution must be 50 percent baking soda and 50 percent water. This paste is best for the removal of mild mold stains. It will prevent further growth of black molds. Follow the same steps to carry out the cleaning process.
Vinegar at your rescue
Vinegar is one of the most affordable methods. It has antibacterial properties. Add the undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle. Add the required amount of water. Use a wipe to clean the affected area. Allow some time to pass by. Let it dry. Now clean the area. Eventually, repeat the process a couple of times.
Hydrogen peroxide
Being a chemical-based remover, it has three in one property. Hydrogen peroxide has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It removes black molds from porous materials. One example is woven furniture. Now mix 3 percent of hydrogen peroxide in 2 parts water. Soak the solution in a towel. Now wipe it on the mold directly.
Let the solution soak in. now wipe away the remaining mold with the same towel. Repeat as much as required.
Concluding
So now you know how to get rid of black mold. The home remedies may come in handy if you are on a budget. Follow the steps to remove black mold with ease. Protect your house from the further spread of mold.
