Imagine coming home to a space that was clean, tidy, and organized. That sounds nice, right? Now, imagine if you did not have to do the work to make the home clean and tidy. That sounds even better! Hiring a cleaning service is not just for the rich and well-off. It is something you deserve to do, and it's more affordable than you might think. Cleaning services can take a huge burden off your shoulders by making sure your space stays perfectly clean and tidy. We share more information about cleaning services on this blog, so we hope you read and enjoy our content.
If you come across a large amount of mold in your home, such as enough to cover a wall, you should probably leave the cleanup to the professionals. This much mold can prove to be quite a health hazard, even if it is not one of the types of mold known to be overtly toxic. Plus, cleaning up that much mold requires a lot of bleach and chemicals, which you may not have the equipment or clothing to apply safely and effectively.
However, if you come across a smaller amount of mold on one of your walls, you can attempt to clean it up yourself as long as you take the proper precautions and proceed through these steps.
1. Protect Yourself
Remember, you don't want to inhale the mold or its spores, and you do not want to touch it, either. Don an N-95 mask or a respirator. Put on a long-sleeved shirt and pants that you plan to throw away when you're finished cleaning. Then, add some rubber gloves to the mix, and you're ready.
2. Make Bleach Water
While there are other substances that might kill mold, bleach definitely will. Add a cup full of bleach to a gallon of water in a bucket. Use cold water as warm water may encourage the bleach to evaporate faster. Do not add any soap; it could make the bleach less effective.
3. Wipe Down the Walls
The easiest way to apply the bleach water is with a sponge. Be generous. You might think that allowing water to run down the wall is counter-intuitive, but you can remove the moisture later. For now, your priority is to make sure the mold is entirely saturated with bleach water. Let the wall sit and soak for about 10 minute after you apply the bleach.
4. Soak Up Any Extra
You should not rinse the wall with clean water! The bleach will finish killing the mold and then evaporate on its own. You can, however, soak up any extra bleach water.
5. Run a Dehumidifier
Now, you need to dry the area out so the mold does not grow back. Plug in a portable dehumidifier. If you don't have one, then buy several containers of silicone desiccant and leave them open in the space. Change them every two to three days until the area is dry.
6. Throw Everything Away
To avoid recontaminating your home with mold spores, put your clothing, mask, gloves, and any cloths or sponges used in a bag, and throw it away outside.
If you follow the steps above, you should be able to rid your home of a small amount of mold on your own. If you're not sure about your abilities, be sure to contact a mold removal service.