Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Cleaning Up Mold: How to Get Rid of Mold

As per the New York State Department of Health Website on mold:

  1. The first step to mold cleanup is to control the moisture problem. The source of the water must be identified and corrected.
  2. Porous materials with extensive mold growth should be discarded (e.g., drywall, carpeting, paper, and ceiling tiles).
  3. All wet materials must be thoroughly dried. If that is not possible, they should be discarded.
  4. Mold growing on hard surfaces (e.g. wood and concrete) can be cleaned. Small areas can be scrubbed with a cleaning rag wetted with dilute detergent. Rubber gloves and a dust mask are recommended for jobs other than routine cleaning. For a large mold problem or if you are highly sensitive to mold, an experienced professional should do the work.
  5. In areas where it is impractical to eliminate the moisture source, a 10% bleach solution can be used to keep mold growth under control. In areas that can be kept dry, bleach is not necessary, as mold cannot grow in the absence of moisture. When using bleach, ensure that enough fresh air is available because bleach may cause eye, nose, or throat irritation.
  6. Continue to monitor the area for new mold growth and signs of moisture. This may indicate the need for further repairs or material removal.