Mold Removal Tips and Safety Precautions

Mold Cleaning Tips

Mold spores remain allergenic and toxic even when dead.
Porous materials (e.g., carpet, sheetrock) from which microbial growth cannot be adequately cleaned must be removed from the building.
Boric acid (borax) or hydrogen peroxide is very effective at killing molds. They do not have an odor and are recommended for people with chemical sensitivities. However, small minorities of people have reported sensitivities to boric acid.
Vacuuming may temporarily increase exposure to mold spores. The spores can pass through ordinary vacuum bags and remain suspended in the air for hours or days. Central vacuums that vent outside are recommended, or vacuums fitted with HEPA filters and micro-filtration vacuum bags to help minimize this exposure.
Carpet cleaning should be performed by trained professionals that utilize hot water extraction. Ensure that the cleaned carpets dry out in less than 24 hours. Chemical cleaning methods can leave a residue that attracts soil and other contaminants.
A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air cleaner, with or without a charcoal filter, can be utilized in addition to source removal and ventilation to remove unwanted airborne contaminants. Relying on an air cleaner alone to solve a significant mold problem is insufficient.

Safety Precautions

Spores are easily released into the air when moldy material is dried out. Mold counts are typically 10 to 1000 times higher than background levels during the cleaning of mold damaged materials. Take steps to protect your health during cleanup. When working on mold patches, always protect yourself with an appropriate facemask. For small localized areas, use an inexpensive disposable face mask (N95), which you can buy at a hardware store; for larger areas, use a full-face respirator with an approved, disposable HEPA filter, which you can obtain from a safety supply store.
(See New York City's Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments )
Never mix ammonia detergent with bleach, as it can release dangerous chlorine gas.
Always ventilate your work area when using bleach (Clorox). If possible, open two opposite outside doors or windows. A fan will increase airflow. Position it (the fan) so that the Clorox fumes are directed away from the breathing zone.
Never use a gasoline engine indoors (e.g. pressure washer, generator, etc.)—You could expose yourself and your family to carbon monoxide.
If you see moisture condensation on the windows or walls, it is also possible that you have a combustion problem in your home. It is important to have sufficient fresh air available for fuel burning appliances, such as the furnace, water heater, stove/range, clothes dryer, as well as a fireplace. A shortage of air for these appliances can result in back drafting of dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide into the home. To prevent back drafting of air, you need either open vents or a ventilation system that brings fresh air into the home to replace air that is exhausted out. Have your local utility company or a professional heating contractor inspect your fuel-burning appliances annually.

Hidden Mold

In some cases, indoor mold growth may not be obvious. It is possible that mold may be growing on hidden surfaces, such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Investigating hidden mold problems may be difficult and will require caution when the investigation involves disturbing potential sites of mold growth—make sure to use personal protective equipment or consult an environmental professional for help (e.g., an industrial hygienist or indoor air quality consultant).

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Mold Cleaning Tips and Safety Precautions | Mold Prevention Measures |

Home Assessments for Indoor Allergens Residential IAQ Questionnaire

Information on Fungal Spores

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