How To Get Rid of Mold

The very mention of mold makes most people grimace.  Not only is mold unsightly, it can pose a real health hazard if left untreated.  If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of mold, here are several tips for ridding your home of mold once and for all.

High humidity and the moisture that creates is the reason mold can form.  If you have a water leak that goes untreated, mold can form in that area as well.  In order to get rid of mold, you must first determine how to rid your home of the moisture and then treat the affected area.  This may involve purchasing a dehumidifier or fixing a water leak.  Basements and cellars are often moist on a regular basis and can benefit from a dehumidifier running consistently.

Bathrooms and Kitchens

Although there are several products on the market today that are effective, an all- natural mold cleaner is plain white vinegar.  You’ll avoid potentially harmful chemicals in your home and lungs by using white vinegar.  In the bathroom, use a spray bottle filled with white vinegar and spray it directly onto tub tile, the shower curtains, and faucets.  The floor can be mopped or wiped down with vinegar too.  White vinegar can also be used in the kitchen.  Spray down dish strainers, cutting boards, counters, and appliances and even inside the dishwasher.  White vinegar will not only get rid of mold, but will inhibit growth when used consistently.

Carpets and Rugs

Baking soda is another great all-natural item to have in your cleaning tub.  Carpets and area rugs are notorious for holding onto moisture, dirt and other particulates from the air.  If you’d like to know how to get rid of mold in your carpet, here is your answer.  Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet and allow it to sit for several hours.  This could easily be done before you leave for work in the morning or at a time when you’ll be running errands.  The baking soda will naturally soak up moisture and dirt, essentially trapping it.  Vacuum your carpet as you would normally and you’ll be eliminating mold at the same time.

Glass, Metal, Plastic, and Ceramic

Mold on these non-porous surfaces can be eliminated with a solution of bleach and water.  Use this solution to wash walls, windows, doorframes, or baseboards.  Ceramic tile floors affected by mold respond well to this treatment as well.

Furniture

Mold can be very damaging to furniture.  Contact a professional to find out how to eliminate the mold in or on your furniture.  Depending on the materials from which the furniture was manufactured, it may be possible to have it cleaned, or it may need to be replaced.

Mold loves moisture, so make sure to check and change your home air filters on a regular basis.  It’s a good idea to have your home’s ductwork checked periodically as well.  Otherwise, mold could be spread throughout your home by your very own heating and air conditioning systems.

Mold can be a real issue in a home and can cause allergy-like symptoms for some people, such as sniffling, coughing, or sneezing.  If you discover or suspect mold in your home, find out how to get rid of mold and then prevent its return by using these simple tips.