DIY Mold Removal

If all you have is surface mold, there are plenty of inexpensive and easy ways to remove mold from your home. Good cleaning habits can prevent you from ever experiencing a severe mold problem. Here are some ways to rid your house of surface mold on non-porous materials.

If you are experiencing health complications or have issues beyond simple surface mold, please visit our page on Professional Mold Removal.

1. Bleach

Mixing 1 cup of standard strength bleach and adding water to make a full gallon, will lend a solution that will kill molds and their spores.

Put the solution in a spray bottle or spread with a sponge or cloth. While some people do rinse after applying the solution, it is best not to rinse at all. The bleach will ensure that growth is stopped in its tracks and prevent other molds from taking up residence on the surfaces of your living space.

2. Borax

If you have ever wondered what all the fuss is about Borax, then look no further. Mix one cup of borax and add water to make a gallon. This all natural solution is safe to use on almost any surface and doesn’t have the harsh smell, or corrosive capabilities that bleach has.

For best results vacuum any mold or remove with a broom. Apply the borax solution to the surface you wish to sanitize and scrub well with a brush. After scrubbing, you merely have to wipe surfaces dry. No rinsing is required with borax.

3. Vinegar

A spray bottle of vinegar is your friend when it comes to fighting molds. Never dilute vinegar. The full strength acidity of vinegar kills more than 80% of molds. Just spray and wipe. If you are worried about the smell, you can be assured that the smell will go away in just a few hours unless you use an excessive amount or let it saturate upholstery.

4. Ammonia

Ammonia can be purchased in its pure form, or you can use glass cleaner such as Windex. Ammonia is only suitable for killing molds on smooth nonpourous surfaces. If you have mold growing in the wood of an antique desk, then ammonia is not going to take care of the problem entirely. Also, be sure never to use ammonia and bleach together.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide

Full strength hydrogen peroxide can be sprayed onto a mold surface. Always let the solution set for about 10 minutes. You will be amazed how well this soak time loosens and eliminates molds from a surface. Wipe surface after time is up and do not rinse.

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the cheapest and effective mold killers available. You probably have some baking soda in your home right not. ½ tsp of baking soda in a gallon of water will create an effective solution that will help brighten and shine your household as well as kill the mold. Scrub surfaces with the solution and rinses with pure water. This is great for killing molds in upholstery.

7. Tea Tree Oil

Of all the essential oils, tea tree oil should be at the top of your list if you keep any essential oils at all in the home. A single teaspoon of tea tree oil per cup of water will create a solution you can spray on surfaces to eliminate molds.