Finding mold anywhere in the home can be a cause for concern, but it is also a fairly common occurrence: wherever there is moisture, there is a chance for mold to grow. Although mold can be harmful to health, it is not always necessary to call in a professional to remove it; it can often be safely removed with a proper cleaning strategy and safety precautions.
Molds are fungi that release spores into the air that can cause respiratory problems and severely affect people with weakened immune systems. However, it is possible to eliminate most types of mold without professional help, as long as you detect them early and take the necessary safety precautions to avoid breathing the spores or spreading them to other parts of your home.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests wearing an N95 mask, gloves and long sleeves, making sure the room is well ventilated, and keeping the area as isolated as possible from other parts of the house. If the moldy area is less than 10 square feet (or an area of 3 feet by 3 feet), EPA says you can tackle the job yourself. If it is larger, you will probably need to call in an expert.
But how you tackle the problem depends on exactly where the mold is located.
Hold to clean moldy walls
It’s common to find mold on the walls of a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry space—these rooms have constant contact with moisture, so mold has plenty of organic material to feed on. Cleaning site ProHousekeepers says you need the following items to clean mold off of those walls:
- Bleach
- Water
- White vinegar
- 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
- 2 spray bottles
- Scrubbing brush
First, mix one-part bleach and three parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the molded area until it is soaked in the solution, then let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, take your cleaning brush and scrub away the visible mold. Repeat as many times as necessary until there are no traces of mold on the walls.
You’ll then mix half hydrogen peroxide and half white vinegar into the other spray bottle, saturate the same area, and let the solution air dry. Use the same process for a ceiling or tile grout. It’s important not to paint or caulk over moldy areas—always take care of the mold first by cleaning it thoroughly and letting it dry before painting the spot.
How to clean moldy wood
Cleaning moldy wood requires a little more effort (and supplies) than cleaning your walls. According to ProHousekeepers, you’ll need the following;
- Dish soap
- Water
- Borax
- Vacuum with HEPA filter
- Spray bottle
- Soft-bristled brush
- Paper towels
- Box fan or dehumidifier
Using a brush attachment, vacuum the molded area using the brush to get up as much of the visible mold as possible (don’t forget your N-95 mask). Next, mix one tablespoon of soap with two cups of water in a spray bottle and spray the molded wood. Scrub the area with a soft bristle brush and wipe down with a paper towel.
Afterward, add one tablespoon of Borax to one cup of water and use the soft-bristled brush to apply the solution to the effected area to kill the roots of the mold. Let the area air dry using a fan or dehumidifier.
How to clean moldy leather
Leather is susceptible to mold like any other surface—perhaps even more so because the fungus has softer, damper material to feed on. Leather can be saved from mold, but it’s a sensitive material, so bleach or ammonia can critically damage. You’ll need leather cleaner or a soft soap, such as baby shampoo, and a cleaning cloth (make sure to spot-test whatever cleaning product you use when you’re ready to start).
Before you tackle the mold yourself, lay the leather out in the sun to dry—the sun’s UV rays will help start the disinfection process. (Just don’t leave it in direct sunlight for too long, lest its color fade or it becomes damaged.) You can also leave it in indirect sunlight until it dries completely.
After drying the leather, dampen the cleaning cloth and use it to remove any visible mold. Then, clean the moldy area with the leather cleaner or baby shampoo, and let it dry. From now on, store leather in a cool, dry spot, and clean it regularly to avoid future mold growth.
How to clean moldy fabrics
Fabric is probably the easiest material for mold to thrive in when it gets wet. Left for even a day or two, mold has the right environment to grow. Thankfully clothes are easy to wash—but you want to be careful to kill the fungi before hanging them back in your closet. For clothes that can be bleached, mix one part bleach and three parts water, then soak the area with the solution. Let it sit for three to five minutes, then throw it in the wash as usual.
For darker fabrics that can’t be bleached, follow the same instructions, but instead of bleach, use white vinegar. You can either soak the item in a solution containing 1/4 cup of vinegar and a gallon of water, or soak a cotton pad in vinegar and place it on top of the moldy area for five minutes. Rinse, then wash as usual.
How to clean moldy upholstery
Cleaning a moldy sofa or chair is challenging—unless the cloth is removable, in which case, simply follow the fabric instructions above.
First, inspect the area to see just how far the mold has grown. If your upholstery is synthetic, mold growth could indicate that the framing itself is moldy (and you might need to replace your furniture). If it is cotton, wool, or another natural material, odds are that you can spot-clean the area. Take a cleaning brush and scrub the area with soap and water to remove visible mold, then blot the area with a solution containing equal parts hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar. Use a towel to pat dry, and then let the upholstery thoroughly air-dry.
If the mold covers a large surface area of your upholstered furniture, there are a few extra steps you’ll likely need to take. First, bring the furniture outside to air out in direct sunlight, like you do with leather. The UV rays will kill the fungus before you remove the mold and mildew stains. Next, vacuum the upholstery using a brush attachment (making sure to wear your N-95 mask and long sleeves to avoid contact with any spores); empty the vacuum cleaner outside to keep mold from reentering the air in your home.
Then, mix water and a mild detergent until it suds up, then scrub the suds into the spot with a scrubbing brush. Wipe away the excess, then let it dry again in direct sunlight to kill any remaining bacteria. If you see some spots of mold left over, follow the above spot treatment method again to finish the job.
