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Cleaning and removing black mold with common non-toxic household products

You will find several household products that you can use to clean black mold. This is a short list of commonly used items that are safe to use.

Mold is really a fungus that thrives in damp or humid conditions. It could be found in places in the house that remain humid, such as the bathroom, kitchen, or basement. Mold can damage the surface it grows on, discolor it, or corrode it. It can also affect people with allergies and can lead to a fatal lung infection if inhaled. The key to controlling mold is controlling humidity.

Drying areas and items damaged by water within 24 to 48 hours is essential to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean it up and remove excess water or moisture. Repair leaking pipes or other sources of water. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry thoroughly. Absorbent materials (eg ceiling tiles and carpets) that become moldy may need to be replaced. These home remedies can help remove mold effectively.

1. Clean black mold with detergent and water

You can use a solution of detergent and water to clean mold from the surface of non-porous material such as glass and tiles. Detergent does not kill mold, the solution is designed to remove visible mold from surfaces. When mold grows on non-porous material, it is sufficient to thoroughly clean all molds from the surface. It is not necessary to kill mold. To clean black mold from outdoor cushions, mix one gallon of water and 1/4 cup of soap in the bucket. You can stir the mixture with your hand and the sponge.

The mixture should be slightly soapy. Rub the cushions with the sponge. You can scrub as hard as you like until mold and mildew stains are removed. The detergent should kill mold and mildew while removing stains. Remove remaining stains with lemon juice. There may still be some pale stains on the cushions after you finish cleaning them. These should be saturated with lemon juice. Let the cushions dry in the sun. The lemon juice will remove the rest of the stain from the cushion using the sunlight as a catalyst.

2. Clean black mold with baking soda

Sprinkle baking soda on the moldy carpet to absorb mold and freshen the air. Leave it on the carpet for as little as 20 minutes or overnight. Use a vacuum with an empty bag for maximum efficiency to suck up the baking soda. Baking soda paste can also be used to clean tile floors. It is suggested that you mix enough water with the baking soda to create a smooth paste, then apply it to the problem spots on your tile, rub and rinse with a mixture of vinegar and water to neutralize the baking soda and prevent residue.

3. Clean up black mold with powdered borax (possibly the easiest!)

Use a solution of 1 cup powdered borax to 1 cup water to mop floors. Rub the black mold with the disinfectant solution over a small area. Wipe up liquid and mildew scum and sanitizer solution with old rags, but do not rinse the area clean. Leaving in some borax will help prevent black mold from returning. Repeat the steps until you have cleaned up all of the black mold. Leave your work area open to ventilation and exposed to the sun if possible. This will help speed up the drying process and remove spores from the air. That will also help reduce the chance of a black mold recurrence.

4. Clean black mold with vinegar

Clean mold on hard surfaces with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Fill a plastic spray bottle with the solution. Spray kitchen and bathroom surfaces with the solution and scrub the area with a sturdy brush. The latest trend in mold and mildew control is shower and bath sprays that are used after you are done showering. These products work well, but they work on the same principle as vinegar spray. Vinegar can replace almost any bathroom cleaner sold today, with the exception of heavy duty abrasive cleaners like Comet.

5. Clean black mold with chlorine bleach

Use a solution of one part chlorine bleach and one part water to clean carpets and upholstery that have been affected by mold. Soak a sponge or cloth in the solution and wipe it through the mold to trap spores on the cloth. NOTE … While leaching will clean black mold, it will not kill it on porous surfaces. You should still use a mold remover before or after cleaning black mold with chlorine bleach.

6.Cleaning black mold with hydrogen peroxide

Get a bottle of 3% strength hydrogen peroxide at local pharmacies. Transfer the hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle and spray it on the mold-infected surface. Leave it for at least 15 minutes for the hydrogen peroxide to work and kill the molds. After that, scrub the area to remove all mold and mildew stains.

For stubborn mold in hard-to-reach places, like tile grout, use undiluted hydrogen peroxide. Just apply several caps to the affected area, let it sit for 15 minutes, and scrub with an old toothbrush. Note … Keep the remaining hydrogen peroxide spray bottle in a dark place as light reduces the effectiveness of the hydrogen peroxide. To more effectively remove mold, you may consider using hydrogen peroxide with vinegar during the cleaning process.

Hydrogen peroxide is effective in killing mold as it has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal elements. It is a much safer mold cleaner compared to bleach because it does not produce toxic residues or toxic fumes that harm the environment. Hydrogen peroxide is good for cleaning mold on almost any material, including clothing, walls, bathroom fixtures, and other kitchen appliances. For removable rugs, place them outside on a sunny day with the back of the rug exposed to the sun. Mix one part of 3% hydrogen peroxide with five parts of water. Spray the solution on the back of the carpet and let the sun hit the carpet for a day. The combination of direct sunlight and hydrogen peroxide will kill mold spores.

7. Clean black mold with ammonia

Prepare an ammonia solution in a ratio of 1 part ammonia to 1 part water. Fill a spray bottle with ammonia solution and spray it on moldy surfaces. Let the solution sit for several hours before rinsing it off with water. After rinsing or cleaning with water, allow areas to dry completely. For vinyl seats like in your boat, combine 1/4 cup of ammonia with 1 cup of water and pour this solution into a spray bottle. Spray the mold with this mixture and scrub it with a bristle brush. Rinse the solution with clean water to remove it from the vinyl seats. If you still notice mold on the seats, use rubbing alcohol.

NOTE … Ammonia, similar to bleach, kills mold that grows on non-porous materials like bathtubs, tiles, countertops, and glass. However, ammonia is not an effective killer for mold growth on porous materials like drywall and wood. Ammonia is a strong chemical, it emits toxic fumes when mixed with bleach. Use ammonia with care.

8. Clean black mold with liquid laundry detergent

For two cups of cold water and 1 tbsp. liquid laundry soap in a bowl. Mix vigorously with a whisk to create a thick foam. Dip a rag in the bowl to remove the foam. Rub the foam gently on the moldy carpet. Switch to clean portions of the rag and apply more suds frequently. Rinse the carpet with a cloth and running water. Dry well with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture. Mix 1 gallon of warm water and 1/2 cup of borax powder in a bucket if mold remains. Dip a scrub brush in the borax solution and scrub the carpet until the mold is gone. Rinse the carpet with a cloth and running water and dry thoroughly with a clean cloth.

9.- clean black mold with a homemade disinfectant spray

Once all of the mold has been removed, use a disinfectant spray to purify the area. In a plastic spray bottle, combine 1 cup of distilled (or spring) water, 1 cup of 91% isopropyl alcohol, and the juice of an average pair of lemons. The solution is safe enough to spray in the air and will not damage the surfaces it comes in contact with. Store the spray bottle in the refrigerator and use it within a few weeks. This will give your home the sterile smell of a doctor’s office as well as a ‘Lemon Pledge’ track creating the illusion of ‘dusting all day’!

10. Clean black mold with grapefruit seed extract

Most households don’t have grapefruit seed extract in the closet, but it is readily available. Combine 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract in about 1 cup of water for a helpful solution to kill mold. Simply spray the solution onto moldy surfaces while wiping with a soft cloth to remove mold and light, harmless residue will keep it from coming back.

11. Cleaning black mold with citric acid

Your Whole Foods or local cooperative should have crystallized citric acid on hand and it is relatively inexpensive. Use about 1 cup of acid in 1.5 gallons of hot water. You can wring your mop a bit and spread it out slightly, but the chances of it evaporating before you can scrub increase when you use less. Soak the floor (tile floors only) if you have a large room and need time to scrub everything. Letting the acid soak a bit will also give it time to break up mineral deposits, dirt, rust, and of course, black mold.

It will have to be rinsed several times with citric acid, it does not come off as easily as other products but it is much safer with young children. Cleaning a tile floor with citric acid is not only environmentally friendly, it is incredibly effective. You may already be familiar with orange hand cleaners, which also use citric acid for cleaning.

And there you have it, household solutions to clean black mold.