Ways to Eliminate Mold from All Surfaces in Your Home

Nandini Balial is a versatile writer and copy editor with a focus on lifestyle, cuisine, mental well-being, immigration, film and television, literature, politics, and feminism. Her professional background spans multiple industries, including television, film, bookselling, and publishing. Additionally, she has dedicated more than two years to roles as a TaskRabbit maid, housekeeper, and personal assistant.

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 1 to 2 hours
• Overall Duration: 2 to 8 hours

• Proficiency Level: Novice
• Projected Expense: $0 to $20

Household chlorine bleach, known as sodium hypochlorite, is highly effective for eliminating mold and addressing stains. If you notice a damp odor in your home, inspect areas such as a laundry basket with wet towels and carpets that may have mold in their underlay. While bleach is effective in eliminating mold stains, it may also strip color from surfaces. Consider using oxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar as alternative solutions.

Continue reading for our comprehensive cleaning guide that outlines the process for eliminating mold from both soft and hard surfaces, both indoors and outdoors.

Warning

When using bleach, take care to prevent inhalation of harmful vapors. Avoid mixing bleach with any substances that contain peroxide, ammonia, or vinegar.

Requirements You’ll Need

Gear / Instruments

• A brush with soft bristles.
• 1 washing machine or basin
• Five microfiber cleaning cloths

Materials

• Laundry sanitizer
• Oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach
• Washing machine soap
• Leather cleaning soap
• Leather care cream (for leather)

Instructions

Ways to Eliminate Mold from Textiles and Garments

If your residence has experienced flooding and mold and bacteria have had several days to proliferate, it might be unfeasible to recover fabric items and clothing. On the other hand, if mildew has formed due to moisture and is addressed promptly, it can typically be eliminated from most fabrics that can be washed in a machine.

Remove Noticeable Mold

• Remove the item from indoors and gently sweep off the visible mold using a brush with soft bristles.
• To clean leather, dampen a soft cloth with distilled white vinegar or rubbing alcohol, then wring it out so it’s not dripping wet. Next, thoroughly wipe both the interior and exterior surfaces of the leather item.

Warning

When cleaning items, brushing or shaking them may release mold spores into the air. It is essential to use protective gear, including safety goggles, gloves, a mask, and protective clothing, when dealing with mold.

Clean the Material

• Clean the clothing item according to the instructions on the care label, utilizing the highest water temperature suggested, a strong laundry detergent, and a laundry disinfectant.
• For white fabrics, utilize a diluted solution of chlorine bleach by combining 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Alternatively, for colored garments, consider using oxygen-based bleach to effectively eliminate mildew stains.
• If the garment requires dry cleaning, bring it to a specialist and highlight the stain.

Handle Leather Goods with Care

• After brushing away the visible mold, prepare a mixture of leather soap and warm water.
• Soak a fresh, gentle cloth in the mixture and gently clean the leather piece.
• Let it dry naturally in a shaded area, avoiding direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Adhere to the instructions provided on the leather conditioner label and use it on the leather to maintain its softness and flexibility.

Ways to Eliminate Mold from Solid Surfaces

Hard surfaces encompass items such as appliances, wooden furniture, tiles, grout, as well as both interior and exterior walls constructed from concrete, brick, and stone. While bleach is effective for cleaning in many situations, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide serve as viable alternatives. It is important to avoid combining bleach with vinegar or peroxide. Consider these guidelines for removing mold from different surfaces.

Laundry Machine

Perform a thorough cleaning of your washing machine and clothes dryer at least every three months, regardless of the presence of mold.

• Pour two cups of chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide (ensure not to combine the two) into the washing machine drum and initiate a hot water cycle without any laundry inside.
• Moisten a cloth with bleach or hydrogen peroxide to wipe down the seals and gaskets of the door.
• Keep the washing machine door ajar to enable the inside to dry out.

Clothing Dryer

While you can’t place materials directly into a clothes dryer, you can dampen rags or old towels with a bleach solution to effectively clean the appliance.

• To eliminate mold from the interior drum, soak some old towels in a mixture of chlorine bleach and water, then wring them out to remove any extra liquid. Place the towels in the dryer and run it on the air-only setting for five minutes. Afterward, take out the towels and use a sponge soaked in plain water to wipe down the interior.
• To remove mold from door seals and the exterior, moisten a cloth with a bleach solution and wipe down the door seals, gaskets, and the outside of the dryer. Keep the door open to let the appliance dry naturally.

Refrigerator

Bleach is not safe for food and can be harmful if it contaminates food itemsinstead, opt for a vinegar solution to sanitize the refrigerator.

• Take out everything from the refrigerator.
• Clean the interior surfaces, seals, and outside using undiluted white vinegar.
• Frequently wash your cleaning cloth while you clean.

Coffee Machine

Vinegar can eliminate mold and assist in breaking down mineral buildup that impacts the flavor of coffee.

• Pour distilled white vinegar into the water reservoir and initiate a brewing cycle.
• Eliminate the vinegar and operate the coffee maker with two cycles of plain water to clean the inside.

Ceramic and Joint Material

Utilize bleach for cleaning tiles and grout. To ensure the chlorine bleach fumes disperse, open the windows in the bathroom, activate the bathroom fan, or employ a circulating fan.

• Combine one cup of bleach with one gallon of water in a plastic container.
• Using cloths or a brush with soft bristles, generously apply a mixture to the areas affected by mold.
• Allow the bleach solution to rest for a minimum of 15 minutes before using the brush to scrub the surfaces.
• Thoroughly wash with clean water and repeat if necessary.

Interior Partitions

Here’s a guide on removing mold from porous materials such as wood and drywall, including ceilings:

• Combine one portion of dish soap with ten portions of bleach and twenty portions of water.
• Use a sponge or mop to apply the solution, taking care to avoid excessive saturation of the surfaces.
• Do not wash offlet the surfaces dry naturally. Repeat the process if necessary.

Cement, Masonry, and Rock

When it comes to cleaning outdoor surfaces of your home, bleach is the most effective option. However, it’s important to take necessary precautions to prevent bleach from coming into contact with nearby fabrics or plants.

• Prepare a cleaning solution by combining one cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water in a bucket. You can transfer this mixture into a garden sprayer or a power washer, or alternatively, apply it manually using a scrubbing mop or brush.
• Moisten the affected areas: Use a garden hose or a spray bottle to dampen the moldy surfaces with water. Next, apply a mixture of bleach and water, letting it rest on the surface for 15 minutes. Afterward, scrub the area to eliminate the mold.
• Wash and allow to air dry: Clean any surfaces or nearby areas (particularly plants) that have been splashed with bleach by rinsing them with water. Repeat the process if needed.

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi, but they differ in appearance, growth conditions, and potential health effects. Mold typically appears in various colors, such as green, black, or blue, and thrives in damp, warm environments. It can penetrate surfaces and cause structural damage. Mildew, on the other hand, is usually white or gray and tends to grow on the surface of materials, such as paper or fabric, in humid conditions. While both can cause health issues, mold is generally considered to be more harmful. Understanding the distinctions between the two can help in managing and preventing their growth in homes and other environments.

All mildew is a type of mold, but not every mold is classified as mildew. Mildew is a prevalent surface mold that thrives in warm, humid environments, such as bathrooms, textiles, and books kept in moist basements. It typically starts as a gray or white powdery growth and can develop into a black or brown color, resembling soil buildup, if not addressed in a timely manner.

To determine whether the surface has mildew or dirt, apply a cotton swab soaked in household bleach to the stain. If the stain fades or vanishes within two to three minutes, it indicates the presence of mildew.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

If you encounter a significant mold issue in your residence, it’s important to reach out to a specialist. A general guideline is to seek help when mold spans an area of 10 square feet or larger.

Extra Suggestions for Maintaining Mold-Free Surfaces

• Maintain low humidity levels to prevent mold growth. Utilizing a dehumidifier or air conditioning can help achieve the optimal humidity level of approximately 50 percent.
• Always activate exhaust fans while taking a shower in the bathroom and while preparing food in the kitchen to avoid the accumulation of moisture and humidity.
• Make sure your dryer is equipped with a vent that directs air outside rather than inside.
• Utilize cleaners designed to eliminate mold and mildew in your bathroom to prevent the presence of spores.
• Refrain from installing wall-to-wall carpets in spaces prone to moisture, like basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
• To avoid mold growth, promptly repair any leaks throughout your home.
• Examine your storage spaces for any signs of mold, especially in containers used for clothing and textiles.

Initially composed by