Do you know that black mold can cause respiratory issues and pneumonia to anyone with a pre-existing health condition in your home? Yes, when black mold invades your home, it can cause many health issues in your family. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to get rid of black mould.
According to the study conducted by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC, USA), black mold spores can cause flu- or cold-like symptoms, including;
- Wheezing
- Stuffy nose
- Fever
- Nausea
- Skin and eye irritation
- Shortness of breath
The worst thing about it is that it grows at an alarming rate under suitable conditions. So it’s advisable to eradicate it once it takes hold in your home.
Still wondering what a black mold is? Let’s see.
What is Black Mould?
A black mold is a fungus that mainly grows on warm, moist cellulose-rich surfaces, including drywall, gypsum board, and fiberglass as shown in the image below. It is primarily attracted to moisture.
How Does Black Mold Get into Your House?
Black mold finds its way in your house by hitch-hiking on pet fur, air currents in your home, and clothes. However, without plenty of water, the spores can’t thrive well. That’s why they like to inhabit warm and moist places.
Therefore, the best way to kill black mold is to always keep your home dry. Installing a water leak sensor would also go a long way as it would be able to alert you of any leak in the hard-to-reach areas where water damage would occur unnoticed.
How To Get Rid of Black Mold On Walls?
Getting rid of black molds from your home can seem to be a daunting task. However, it is entirely doable with the right gears and a few natural ingredients. Wondering what kills black mold naturally? Your doubts are about to be cleared.
Next, you will learn about the tools and materials / cleaning agents used to remove the black moulds. Further, you are provided with instructions on how to clean black mold using these tools and cleaning agents.
Tools You’d Need For Black Mould Removal
- Spray bottle
- Flashlight
- Disposable coveralls
- Protective face mask
- Rubber gloves
- Airtight safety goggles
- Garbage bags
- Paper towels
- Nylon scrubbing brush
- Cotton cleaning rags
Materials /Agents For Cleaning Black Mold
- Grape fruit seed extract or tea tree oil
- Chlorine bleach
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Distilled white vinegar
- Cleaning vinegar
- Baking soda
- Borax
- Dishwashing detergent
Step-By-Step Instructions On How To Remove Black Mold From Your Home
Step 1: Identify the Black Mould
First, you need to identify the mold in your home. A black mold appears like a dark-green slimy spot that, over time, spreads over the surface attached. It’s common in places like the corners of your house, the areas covered under the sink or baseboards, cupboards, and any other site with high moisture levels.
If you can smell any musty scent, follow it to locate the source- a flashlight would come in handy to inspect crannies, dark corners, and nooks.
Are you still finding it challenging to find the affected area? Don’t fret; use this checklist. Check around the following places;
- Kitchen
- Around appliances including refrigerators, air conditioners, and dishwashers
- Cardboard boxes in garages and basements
- Around leaky windows
Step 2: Mix Your Mould Killer Using Grape Fruit Seed Extract and Tea Tree Oil
If you have spotted the mold, mix the mold killers! Add a teaspoon of either grapefruit seed oil extract or tea tree oil in a cup of water. Fill the mixture in a spray bottle. You can also use the materials listed below:
- Using Chlorine Bleach
- Treating with Hydrogen Peroxide
- Spraying Distilled White Vinegar
- Scrubbing with Baking Soda / Borax
Step 3: Suit up With Protective Gear
Before engaging yourself in removing the black mold;
- Gear up -wear rubber gloves, a respirator or a face mask, disposable coveralls, and airtight goggles. The protective gear would reduce the health risks mentioned above. Be cautious because even a single black mold hitting your eye can cost you your eyesight! So, stop at all cost-cutting efforts.
- Separate the affected area from the other parts of the house by using plastic sheeting. If you’ve got a HEPA filter, set it up as well.
Step 4: Spray on the Solution and Allow it to Sit
- Shake the mold-mitigating solution thoroughly in the spray bottle and then spray the area affected.
- Continue shaking the bottle repeatedly throughout the process to ensure that the solution is well mixed.
- Let the solution stay on the black mold for about 5-10 minutes to give the anti-bacterial properties enough time for working through the grime.
Step 5: Scrub the Affected Area Carefully
- Using a nylon bristle brush, scrub the surface area to unsettle and lift the dampened mold.
- In careful, firm strokes, move the brush to avoid splashing the mold on the area surrounding it.
- Once you’ve thoroughly scrubbed with the brush, use papers or old rags to wipe the area clean- this would prevent the mold spore puddles from running into the floor or under the trim.
Step 6: If Necessary, Repeat Steps 4 and 5
- To successfully get rid of the black mold, it would be advisable to repeat steps 4 and 5. Although a light stain might remain after you’re done, the black mold would be killed- if you’ve thoroughly cleaned the surface.
- Clean mold with vinegar and baking soda for the stains- they would do the trick. Mix one-part baking soda in two-part vinegar solution and scrub the stained area with a brush.
- You can also use special primers and paints to remove the stains. The good thing about them is that they would cover the stains and prevent the black molds from reoccurring. And to apply them, you need to wait till the surface is spotless.
Step 7: Spray the Mold Once More and Allow it to Sit
Allow the grapefruit seeds extract and the tea tree solution to sit for a while before cleaning the area with water- the grapefruit and the tea tree are mold-fighting agents that help prevent the mold’s return. So, for them to work effectively, you should allow them to remain in the affected area as long as possible.
Step 8: Clean Up and Take the Trash Out
- Dispose of the paper towels and overalls in a plastic bag and seal them tightly before taking out the trash.
- Throw the nylon scrubber and the filthy rags away with the paper towels and coveralls, or wash them in hot water.
Step 9: Conduct Mold Test
- To ensure that you’ve got rid of the black mold, conduct a mold test- this is done by using an at-home mold kit. The kit tests the presence of mold in your home. And to be sure of the mold type present in your home and its severity, you can send the samples to a specialized lab.
Now you know the natural ways to get rid of mould. Next, you will learn about ways in which the growth of black mould can be prevented.
How Can You Prevent Growth of Black Mold and Keep it Away for a Longer Time?
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure; try as much as possible to keep black mold at bay to protect your family from the health issues mentioned above. Here is what you got to do;
- Control Humidity – Since mold thrives well in moist areas, ensuring that the humidity level in your home is below 60% would do the trick.
- Repair Leaks – Fix leaky windows, roofs, and pipes promptly to prevent them from welcoming spots for mold’s growth.
- Keep Surfaces and Fabrics Dry – Avoid leaving wet towels, shoes, or coats in a heap as they’d attract mold even within two days. Ensure that you hang them to dry more quickly. Also, after using the sinks and shower tubs, make sure you dry them with a squeegee.
- Improve Ventilation in your Home – Whenever you’re cooking, ensure that you use kitchen and bathroom fans to speed up drying and remove steam. Adding circulation fans and ceiling fans would go a long way, especially when there is high humidity. During breezy days, open the doors and windows.
- Use Humidifiers – Use a humidifier to get rid of moisture from the air whenever the humidity is high. And if possible, empty the water collection bin daily.
- Install Moisture Barriers – Crawl and basement areas are prone to excessive moisture. So, it would be advisable to install moisture barriers wherever it is required.
- Clean Venting and Ductwork Systems – Always ensure that you clean your clothes drier ductwork and HVAC ductwork at least once a year. This would prevent leaks or clogs that allow back moisture into your house.
Leaving an infestation of molds untreated in your home is a disaster recipe- It will not only cause severe health issues in your home, but will also consume any organic matter it will come across. Therefore, learning how to kill black mold in your home would be a brilliant idea – and this article would come in handy.
Thanks for reading!
Before you leave this blog, don’t forget to look for some signs indicating that you will need home mold remediation. Click the following link for more information –
9 Signs That Your Home Needs Mold Remediation
Image Courtesy – Image 3, Image 4
Author Bio
Fidelis Kinai – Fidelis Muti possess a bachelor’s in English and Journalism and have over four years of professional experienced writing and proofreading materials for print and online platforms, including newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs, and social media accounts. He also have over three years of experience as a marketing assistant and social media manager.
He is versatile and diligent and will produce exemplary content within time to meet your deadline.
He can deliver most work within 2-3 days; rush orders are accepted whenever possible. He is based in the Kenya but travel often and work for clients all over the world.
