How to Clean Up Mold Damage
- 1). Remove all moisture from the area. Depending on the amount of saturation, you may need to replace flooded carpets completely. At the very least, dry out your carpet using a wet/dry vacuum and replace the padding beneath, if your carpet experienced excessive flooding.
- 2). Place objects like furniture and fabrics in the sun to dry. For internal mold damage, like that affecting drywall and other immovable surfaces, use a space heater or dehumidifier to dry.
- 3). Vacuum or brush away the hardened mold spores. After drying your moldy surface, the inactive residue will still remain, typically resembling a thin powder, web or crust. Remove the spores from fabrics, upholstery and carpets using a vacuum cleaner. For decking, fencing, lawn furniture and other outdoor objects, brush away the spores with a broom.
- 4). Kill the residual mold, which is not visible to the naked eye. Place clothes and fabrics in a washing machine with 1 cup of bleach, and use a delicate setting for sensitive objects like shower curtains. Clean carpets using a steam cleaner filled with carpet shampoo. Wipe down hard surfaces with a cloth or sponge, dampened with 1 part chlorine bleach or hydogen peroxide to 3 parts water. Dry all surfaces.
- 5). Deodorize the area if musty odor still remains. Increase your air circulation by running fans and opening windows. Deodorize carpets by sprinkling baking soda and then vacuuming after 15 minutes. If odor remains on other surfaces, try drying them more thoroughly. Persistent mold odor can indicate remaining moisture, sometimes beneath the surface of an object.
- 6). Prevent recurrence by eliminating the source of the mold. If mold occurred as a result of a plumbing leak, try to repair the leak or contact a plumber. If mold occurred due to rain flooding, seal off any points of entry through which the liquid entered your home. If poor insulation is to blame, use caulk or spackling paste to seal off any holes, or contact a roofing expert about re-shingling.
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